Evaluation of Rhizosphere Bacteria Associated with Spinacia oleracea for Plant Growth-Promoting Potentials in Bida, Niger State, Nigeria

The study aimed to assess the rhizosphere bacteria of the spinach plant (Spinacia oleracea) for their growth-promoting potentials. Rhizosphere soil samples were collected from three different farmlands within Bida metropolis, namely Bangaie, Wuya, and Tako Wasa. The samples were isolated for bacteria growth, and the isolated bacteria were identified for their potential to promote plant growth using standard procedures. A total of four distinct bacteria were isolated with their frequency of occurrence as Bacillus cereus (37.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus specie (25% each), and Micrococcus luteus (12.5%). The results showed that the isolated bacteria were able to produce various plant growth-promoting substances such as ammonia, phosphatase solubilization, proteolytic enzyme activity, and amylase activity. These findings suggest that rhizosphere bacteria of Spinacia oleracea have great potential as biofertilizers, which could contribute to sustainable agriculture practices. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of rhizosphere bacteria in promoting plant growth and highlights the importance of further studying their role in sustainable crop production.