The Potential Use of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) for Medicinal Plant Cultivation in Meghalaya: A Review

Abstract

Beneficial PGPR have been identified in a range of plant species, including those with medicinal properties. These PGPR have been shown to enhance the growth and development of medicinal plants through the improvement of nutrient availability in rhizospheric root systems. Some medicinal plants have been found to harbour specific strains of PGPR that are associated with increased medicinal properties and enhanced bioactive compound production. So, the use of PGPR can minimise the application of chemical fertilizer for the production of rare species of medicinal plants. This review highlights the future research works which are needed in many areas of Meghalaya by the use of various beneficial strains of PGPR to reduce the use of pesticide for commercial application in the cultivation of medicinal plants. The PGPR has the ability to increase the soil fertility be decreasing the concentration of inorganic fertilizer and thereby they are regarded as the potential strains to be used as biofertilizer which in turn will also improve the cultural practices of Meghalaya to conserve a large number of rare and endangered medicinal plants.