Assessment of Abiotic Stress tolerance Traits in Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophic Bacteria (PPFM) Isolated from Rice
P. Kanimuki1*, N. Kiruthiga1 and V. Muralikrishnan2
1Research Scholar & 2Professor Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram - 608002 (India) *Address for Correspondence : P. Kanimuki Research Scholar, Department of Agricultural Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University, Chidambaram - 608002 (India) E-mail: kanimuki.p@gmail.com , Mobile no: 8903878134
ABSTRACT
Salinity, drought, and extreme temperature are the abiotic stresses that significantly affect agricultural productivity. Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophs (PPFM) are plant growth-promoting bacteria mainly associated with the phyllosphere region, which have been documented to have stress-tolerant capacity. In this study, five PPFM isolates were obtained from the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of different rice cultivars in Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The isolates were characterized based on morphological and biochemical characters. Subsequently, they were evaluated in vitro for their tolerance to salt (up to 3% NaCl), drought (5-30% using PEG 6000) and temperature (45°C– 55°C) stresses. Among the isolates, PPFM 1, obtained from the phyllosphere of the ADT 47 rice cultivar, demonstrated superior tolerance across all stress conditions.