Halotolerant Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria as Growth Promoter for Mung Bean, Pea and Wheat Crops

Sustainable agriculture necessitates innovative solutions that enhance crop yield while minimizing environmental impact. This study evaluates the efficacy of three halotolerant phosphate solubilizing bacterial (PSB) strains viz., Enterobacter bugandensis PH27, Psychrobacter faecalis PH28, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PH30 treatment across growth stages of pea GDF-1, wheat GW-451, and mung bean GM-4 varieties. Our analysis reveals that B. amyloliquefaciens PH30 threatment consistently outperformed other isolates, significantly enhancing seed germination rates and key growth metrics such as plant height, dry weight, and leaf area. Additionally, PH30 improved soil fertility by elevating levels of available phosphorus. The data suggest a multi-pronged mechanism of action for PH30 involving phytohormone production, nutrient chelation, and phosphate solubilization.