In the present study total of 59 rhizobacteria was isolated from saline infested zone of Wheat rhizosphere, using different media. Nutrient agar was used for isolation as well as enumeration of different bacteria,0.1ml was spread on Ashbys Mannitol agar for Azotobacter spp.,Congored yeast extract agar for Rhizobiumspp., Nitrogen free agar for Azospirillum spp respectively. Individual colonies showing different morphology from respective medium were transferred on slants of respective media and further used for identification. All the isolates were identified using All the isolates were identified as per the Bergeys Mannual of Systematic bacteriology [1] and Micro IS software[2]. All the isolates was screened for plant growth promoting (PGP) activities at higher salt (NaCl) concentrations 2%,4%,6%,8%,10%. Results indicated that all the isolates grows up to 6 % NaCl concentrations, showed optimum activities at 4% NaCl concentration and tolerated 8% NaCl for 12 hours. Of all 59 isolates 22 produced Indole-3- acetic acid (IAA) 21 solublized phosphates, 17 fixed atmospheric nitrogen, and 8 produced Siderophores and 10 have not showed any plant growth promoting activity. All the isolates were identified up to genus level and most of up to species level using Bergeys manual of systematic bacteriology, and MICRO IS software. Amongst all the genera identified Bacillus was found to be dominant followed by Pseudomonas. Study indicated the importance of these organisms as bioinoculents for saline soils and can be explored for biofertilizers. There is a scope for use of nitrogen fixing Azotobacter chrococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum, Azospirillum brasilense as potential Nitrogen fixing biofertilizer and Bacillus subtilis as potential phosphate solublizer for reclamation of saline soils. On presenting this work, I am impressed with the ability of Azotobacter chrococcum and Azospirillum lipoferum, Azospirillum brasilense to grow in the presence of salts.
