CHARACTERIZATION OF HALOTOLERANT PLANT GROWTHPROMOTING BACILLUS MEGATERIUM ISOLATED FROM LONAR SODALAKE

Abstract

Twelve halotolerant bacteria were isolated from the composite soil sample collected from the vicinity
of Lonar Soda Lake. Of these, highest salt tolerating gram positive rod shaped motile organism was
selected and designated as ADL5.The isolate was identified as Bacillus megaterium using cultural,
microscopic and biochemical characterization. Isolate ADL5 showed luxuriant growth at 3 % NaCl at
pH 9 and temperature 30oC and produced indole acetic acid and ammonia under salinity stress , it
also have phosphate solubilization and nitrogen fixation ability.