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The interaction between plants and microorganisms in the rhizosphere plays a crucial role in soil health and plant development dynamics in agricultural environments. Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) have emerged as key players in enhancing plant growth, nutrient absorption, and stress tolerance, offering promising avenues for sustainable agriculture. This study investigates the microbial diversity in the rhizospheric soil of rice fields in India, focusing on identifying and characterizing putative PGPR strains. To achieve this, rhizosphere soil samples were collected from rice fields, and specialized tools were used for extraction. The samples underwent controlled air-drying, sieving, and proper labeling before storage. PGPR isolation involved screening for symbiotic nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, non-symbiotic bacterial species, phosphate solubilizing microbes, and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Isolated PGPR strains were characterized using morphological, biochemical, and molecular analyses. Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA) software and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) were used for evolutionary analysis and sequence similarity searches, respectively. The study revealed a significant microbial load in rhizospheric soil, indicating a thriving microbial community crucial for soil health and plant growth. Seasonal variations and agricultural practices were found to influence microbial abundance and composition. Isolated PGPR strains exhibited diverse plant growth-promoting traits, highlighting their potential for sustainable agriculture. The study provides insights into the microbial dynamics in agricultural ecosystems and underscores the importance of PGPR in promoting soil health and plant productivity. By leveraging advanced analytical techniques and adopting sustainable agricultural practices, stakeholders can enhance agricultural sustainability and environmental stewardship.
A. R. Pathak (Sun,) studied this question.