Synergistic effect of endophytic bacteria and potassium solubilizing bacteria on plant growth and flowering of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24154/jhs.v21i1.4609Keywords:
Endophytic bacteria, Jasminum sambac, potassium solubilizing bacteria, plant growth promotion, flower yieldAbstract
Sustainable cultivation of Jasminum sambac (L.) Ait. requires eco-friendly alternatives to reduce excessive dependence on synthetic fertilizers. This study reports the isolation, characterization, and evaluation of indigenous endophytic bacteria from high-yielding cv. Ramanathapuram Gundumalli and their synergistic interaction with potassium-solubilizing bacteria (KSB) for improving plant growth and flowering. Fifteen bacterial isolates were obtained and screened for plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production. Based on PGP potential, five efficient isolates were identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Methylobacterium radiotolerans JSM15, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia JSM2, Bacillus velezensis JSM8, Bacillus subtilis JSM4, and Bacillus altitudinis JSM3. Field evaluation revealed that M. radiotolerans JSM15 combined with KSB significantly enhanced plant height (25.6%), primary branches (36.9%), secondary branches (24.7%), leaf area (53.4%), chlorophyll content (42.5%), buds per cyme (32.0%), and flower yield (33.9%) over the control. Peak-season flower yield increased from 173.20 g plant-1 in the control to 231.84 g plant-1 with the JSM15 + KSB treatment. The treatment also improved soil available potassium (45.8%), leaf potassium content (44.0%), dehydrogenase activity (39.4%), and phosphatase activity (38.4%). Combining indigenous endophytic bacteria and KSB sustainably boosts jasmine growth, flowering, nutrient uptake, soil health, and yield, producing high-quality flowers for domestic and export markets.
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