GROWTH PROMOTION OF 2 WHEAT CULTIVARS BY PLANT GROWTH-PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA

Based upon their ability to produce auxins (indole-3-acetic-acid equiv alents), 11 isolates of rhizobacteria were selected to evaluate their growth promoting activity. Seeds of 2 wheat cvs. Inqlab and LU 26S ino culated with these isolates were sown in the field under optimum ferti lization (NPK @ 150-75-50 kg ha(-1)). Inoculation with rhizobacteria s howed an increase in grain yields of cv. Inqlab and LU 26S by upto 15. 3% and 18.5%, respectively, as compared to uninoculated control. Inocu lation with rhizobacteria also significantly increased the number of t illers, straw weight and 1000-grain weight in both cultivars. Plant he ight was increased only in case of wheat cv. LU 26S.