Author : Kaur, H. , Kaur, J. and Gera, R.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of bacteria that enhances plant growth and yield. PGPRs as biofertilizers, are the living micro-organisms which are applied to surface of plant, seed, or soil. They colonize the plant rhizosphere or inside the plant body (as endophyte) and promotes plant growth by providing fundamental nutrients to crop plants. The rapidly increasing population is exerting immense pressure on agricultural lands for higher crop yields, which results in increasing use of chemical fertilizers. But due to negative environmental impact of artificial fertilizers and their increasing costs, microorganisms have a vital role in agriculture as they promote the exchange of plant nutrients and reduce application of chemical fertilizers as much as possible. Substances produced by PGPRs protect the plants against various pathogens by direct antagonistic interactions between the biocontrol agent and the pathogen, as well as by induction of host resistance. Resistance-inducing and antagonistic rhizobacteria might be useful in formulating new inoculants with combinations of different mechanisms of action, leading to a more efficient use for biocontrol strategies to improve cropping systems.

Keywords: Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria; biofertilizers; biocontrol; rhizosphere