A brief note on plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in Agriculture

Small and marginal farmers cannot always afford to apply balanced nutrition required for higher productivity as chemical fertilizers are expensive. Hence, they forego their profitability. Low cost inputs like biofertilizers and biopesticides can help them reduce their cost of cultivation. Annually, about 170 million tonnes of nitrogen is contributed through biological nitrogen fixation. However, commercial biofertilizer production in India is very negligible. There is also evidence that rice, sugarcane, and other tropical grasses obtain 60-70% of their nitrogen requirement through biological nitrogen fixation. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), broadly also known as bio-inoculants, are microorganisms that occupy root and leaf surroundings and improve plant growth. They function in different ways as nutrient mobilizers, bio control agents and through supplementation of hormones and auxins required by the plants and / or induction of resistance in host plants against pathogens. Increased plant growth and crop yield can be obtained upon inoculating seeds or roots with certain specific root colonizing bacteria plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Some of these microorganisms convert the plant nutrients that are in fixed-form to available-form so that plants can take them up and grow (biofertilizers). They are also known as biofertilizers. Some of the notable examples are rhizobia and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria etc. Plant growth promotion can also be through management of diseases and pests. Some microorganisms are used as bio-control agents for control of diseases there by providing a healthy crop stand. Some of the best known examples are Trichoderma which is very popular among farmers. They can be administered to the crops through seed treatment or soil application or foliar sprays. Promotion of these bio-inoculants will also help on combating environmental and water pollution due to reduction in use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. The A.P. State Government has established biopesticides laboratories across the state where Trichoderma and others are produced. A.P. Government is the first model state to promulgate a quality control mechanism for biofertlizers through registration process. PGPR research is being conducted in A.P. and in other states in a large way as both federal and State governments are promoting use of bioinoculants to reduce

environmental pollution through excessive use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Promotion of these technologies can also help in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from these industries. PGPR research on basic and applied aspects is actively conducted at ANGRAU, ICAR Institutes like CRIDA, DOR, Directorate of Sorghum Research, University of Hyderabad, Osmania University, Kakatiya University, S.V. University and other laboratories in A.P. In India, PGPR research is being conducted in TNAU, Tamil Nadu; IARI, New Delhi; Anand Agricultural University, Gujarat; MS University, Baroda; Agharkar Research Institute, Pune; National Botanical Research Institute, Lukhnow; Central Institute for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lukhnow etc.; Rubber Research Institute, Kerala; Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kerala; National Bereau of Agriculturallly Important Microorganisms, U.P. and many more institutes. Asian region has a vast microbial biodiversity whose potential is yet to be tapped. We could get potential strains of microbes for various agricultural uses. The future applied and strategic research aspects should include development of cheap and viable mass multiplication protocols; identify suitable carrier systems; develop methods for prolonged shelf life; working out the economics to demonstrate the usefulness of the agents; to develop effective communication methods to disseminate the technology among the end users to get feedback and refine technology.