Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria exploration on butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea l) from North Maluku Indonesia

The Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) is associated with the roots and nodules of butterfly peas (Clitoria ternatea L.). This study aims to explore the PGPR in the rhizosphere of butterfly peas and to study their potential for biofertilizer. Characterization of PGPR was based on their ability to phosphate dissolution, auxin production, and nitrogen fixation as well as synergistic and antagonistic tests, and molecular identification. A total of 11 phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolates were isolated from the rhizosphere of butterfly peas while two isolates were taken from nodules. The RTF2 isolate from the rhizosphere had the highest phosphate solubility index. Meanwhile, the RTDH5-1, F1.1, and F2.1 showed strong inhibition ability against the growth of the pathogenic Rhizoctonia solani . The nitrogenase activity of isolates F2.1 and F1.1 from nodules were 0.975 μ mol mL -1 g -1 h -1 ; while the IAA production was 7.87 and 7.05 mg L -1 , respectively. The F1.1 had 100% similarity with Bacillus aryabhattai while F2.1 was 99.84% similar with Rhizobium sp. Both isolates can be used in biofertilizer formulation for North Maluku butterfly peas.