Pseudomonas fluorescens R68 assisted enhancement in growth and fertilizer utilization of Amaranthus tricolor (L.)

Plant probiotic potential of rhizosphere microbiome and its role in phytofertilizer mobilization are largely unexplored. In the current study, the rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens R68 (PFR68) isolated from Western Ghat was analyzed for its growth enhancement effect on the leafy vegetable Amaranthus tricolor (L.). One month of field growth of PFR68 inoculated A. tricolor has found to have enhanced growth parameters such as leaf number (1.57 fold), root number (1.76 fold), shoot length (1.28 fold) and fresh weight (2.31 fold). The treatment also improved soil fertility in terms of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium content. Most remarkably, application of PFR68 alone and 50% of recommended NPK dose along with PFR68 has resulted in enhanced growth of A. tricolor comparable to plants treated with full dose of NPK. In addition to this, application of PFR68 along with 50% NPK augmented the available Nitrogen and Phosphorus content in soil. This indicates the potential of selected organism in enrichment of soil health and enhancement of crop productivity. In conclusion, field performance of PFR68 on growth of A. tricolor confirms its promises to develop into plant probiotic formulation.