Native bacterial isolates of tea garden soils were evaluated for their ability to withstand abiotic stress (salt, pH and temperature). Composition of 23 bacterial species was Azotobacter 11, Burkholderia 6, Enterobacter 1 and Rhizobium 5. Growth of each bacterial isolate on selective broth (Yeast Extract Mannitol broth for Rhizobium, Ashby’s for Azotobacter and Luria broth for Burkholderia and Enterobacter) having variable range of pH (2.5-10.0), different concentration of NaCl (0.1%- 4.5%) and temperature range of 15 ºC to 70 ºC were recorded at 580 nm using spectrophotometer after incubation at 28± 2ºC for 48 hours. Survival of bacterial isolates under variable stress of temperature was also selected using thermal death point (TDP) process. A total of 14 bacterial isolates were screened on the basis of their ability to withstand such extreme conditions. Such tolerant bacterial strains could be exploited as good PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) in adverse conditions.
Abiotic stress tolerance, Bacteria, Tea garden soil
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