Characterization of Abiotic Stress Tolerant Pseudomonas Spp. Occurring in Indian Soils

Abiotic stress tolerance of 230 Pseudomonas spp. Occurring in Indian soils was evaluated for tolerance to temperature, salinity and moisture stresses. Forty seven Pseudomonas spp. Were characterized as abiotic stress tolerant and were identified as P. aeruginosa (24), P. putida (14), P. plecoglossicida (4), P. mosselli (1), Pseudomonas sp. (1) and P. fluorescens (3). The temperature and salinity tolerance of these bacteria was 45°C and 1 M NaCl respectively. Most isolates (44 out of 47) produced indole acetic acid (IAA) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity and 37 of them showed phosphatase activity. 2, 4-diacetyl phloroglucinol (DAPG) gene was detected in 10 isolates and pyoluteorin gene was detected in 4 isolates. Under water stress, seed treatment with P. putida (NBAII-RPF9) and P. fluorescens (PFDWD) showed its potential as plant growth promoter. The studies also indicated that stress tolerant Pseudomonas spp. may be used as plant protection agents in abiotically stressed soils.