Effect of Heavy metals on Growth and PGPR activity of Pseudomonads

Abstract

Effect of heavy metals such as copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium on growth of Pseudomonas as well as PGPR activity was analyzed in this study. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium against Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were 186.9±29.60, 88.0±12.36, 153.81±34.38 and 130.54±28.21 µg/mL respectively. MIC of copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium against P. putida strains were 195.45±28.76, 82.72±12.97, 164.54±30.08 and 138.63±33.42 µg/mL. Similarly, MIC of copper, chromium, nickel and cadmium against P. cepacia strains were 188.84±27.1, 85.38±14.26, 169.61±28.16 and 137.69±30.00 µg/mL. MIC of copper, chromium, nickel, cadmium against P. fluorescens strains were 192.97±28.1, 82.43±13.03, 150.27±37.54 and 144.59±28.92 µg/mL. Present study showed that heavy metals reduced growth as well as Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) activity of previously characterized Pseudomonas strains.