Author(s):

N Meena and B Karthikeyan

Abstract: Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is one of the widely grown and consumed vegetable crops in the world; ranking second in importance next to potato in many countries. The majority of world tomato production is comprised of fresh market (Eating variety) tomatoes, but processing tomatoes also contribute a substantial proportion. Many bacteria are known to be able to stimulate plant growth through direct or indirect interactions with plant roots and these have been classified as Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are root associated bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere and improve plant growth when introduced onto seeds, seed pieces, roots, or into soil. Indeed, the bacteria lodging around in the plant roots (Rhizobacteria) are more versatile in transforming, mobilizing, solubilizing the nutrients compared to those from bulk soils. PGPR are found in a very wide range Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter chroococcum. Eight rhizosphere soil samples were collected from various places were tomato grown in krishnagiri district. The collected rhizosphere soil samples were analysed for microbial populations and PGPR populations and recorded. Further the PGPR strains were screened for IAA production, phosphate solubilizing, and Nitrogen fixation. PGPR Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorescens and Azotobacter chroococcum were selected for further studies. The best strains were used for pot culture study. Among the seven Treatments (T₆) the effect of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) inoculation of seedling height 20.15cm, germination percentage 95.20% and Vigour index 1918.28, plant dry matter production 18.00gm/plant, number of fruits-21.20/ Plant, fruit weight -33.15 gm and fruits yield-1350.20 (g/fruit) were recorded the highest in the sixth treatment (T₆-Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas fluorscens and Azotobacter chroococcum) for cleared by PKM-1, the third treatment (T₇-control) recorded the lowest yield.

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