Tomato Growth Promotion Induced by Stress Tolerant Phosphate Solubilizing Pseudomonas simiae in Arid trans-Himalaya

Diskit Dolkar; Phuntsog Dolkar; Tsering Stobdan; Anand K Katiyar

doi:10.14429/dlsj.3.12565

Diskit Dolkar DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India
Phuntsog Dolkar DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India
Tsering Stobdan DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India
Anand K Katiyar DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dlsj.3.12565

Keywords: abiotic stress, Hippophae, Ladakh, Lycopersicon esculentum, PGPR

Abstract

Pseudomonas simiae isolated from Seabuckthorn rhizosphere solubilized insoluble phosphate at 4-40ºC, pH 4-12 and in presence of 1-5% salt concentration. The optimum condition was observed at 28ºC, pH 6 and devoid of any salt stress. Ca₃(PO₄)₂ was solubilized to a great extent than FePO₄ and AlPO₄. The isolate possess plant growth promoting attributes such as IAA (32 mg l^-1), siderophore (78%) and HCN (0.1 OD at A₆₂₅) production. Seed bacterization resulted in 30% and 51% enhanced shoot and root length, respectively in tomato seedling. Pot experiments revealed enhanced plant growth in P. simiae treated plants in both green shade net and open field conditions. Fruit yield was 9.8% and 19.8% higher over control in open and shade net condition, respectively.

Author Biographies

Diskit Dolkar, DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India

Ms Diskit Dolkar is Senior Research Fellow and Ph.D candidate in the Plant Science Division, DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh. She currently works on a project entitled ‘Exploiting plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for enhanced crop productivity in Indian trans-Himalaya’. She holds M.Sc in Botany from Barkatullah University.

Phuntsog Dolkar, DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India

Ms Phuntsog Dolkar, received her MSc (Biotechnology) from Barkatullah University. Currently working as a Senior Research Fellow and pursuing her PhD in the Plant Science Division, DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh. She is currently workings on a project entitled ‘Gender differences in antioxidant properties, phenotypic plasticity and freeze tolerance in Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) along an altitudinal gradient in trans-Himalayan Ladakh, India’.

Tsering Stobdan, DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India

Dr. Tsering Stobdan received his PhD in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology from Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Currently working as Scientist ‘E’ and Head, Plant Science Division at DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh. He has 5 patents including one in USA, over 50 publications in reputed national and international journals, two monogram and 20 book chapters to his credit.

Anand K Katiyar, DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh Ladakh-194101, India

Dr. Anand K Katiyar obtained his PhD (Agricultural Extension) from Banaras Hindu University. Currently working as Scientist ‘D’ at DRDO-Defence Institute of High Altitude Research, Leh. He has over 10 years of experience in agriculture extension in Ladakh region.