Tomato plant growth promotion potential of Janibacter sp strain RC18

Actinomycetes are indispensable in the search for novel, potent and eco friendly fertilizers. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of  Janibacter sp. RC18 to enhance tomato plant growth. Janibacter sp. RC18 isolated from turmeric rhizosphere was screened for in vitro and in vivo plant  growth promoting traits. The in vitro plant growth promotion traits exhibited by the strain were phosphate solubilization and ammonia production. The  strain RC18 inoculated tomato plant recorded significant (P< 0.05) increase in plant height (45.67cm ± 1.5), number of leaves (69.67 ± 3.5), weight (19.40 g  ± 0.53), and high soil phosphate solubilizing bacterial count (7.2x105 CFU/g) compared to the uninoculated control. High endogenous plant nutrient  content N, P, K, (4.4%, 0.8 % and 1.1%) was also obtained with inoculation of Janibacter. Significant (p< 0.01) positive correlation was recorded with  endogenous plant nutrient content and all the plant growth parameters except with the number of flowers. Findings from this study indicate that  Janibacter sp RC18 is a good candidate for bio-inoculant formulation .