Isolation and Characterization of Native Azotobacter Isolates from Rhizospheric Soils from Shrirampur Tehsil

Azotobacter bacteria are free-living, nitrogen-fixing organisms that help improve soil and support plant growth. This study aims to find and identify native Azotobacter strains from soil samples collected in Shrirampur Tehsil, Ahilyanagar district. Twenty-five soil samples were taken and grown on Ashby's Mannitol agar to isolate Azotobacter. Tests were done to confirm the bacteria's identity and see how they vary. Most isolates showed typical Azotobacter traits, such as large, slimy colonies, Gram-negative rods, movement, and positive results for catalase and oxidase. Some isolates had high nitrogenase activity and could tolerate salt and pH changes. These native strains could be used to develop biofertilizers to improve crop yields in the area.