EXPLORING ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ORIGIN FROM Jatropha curcas L. AND THEIR POTENTIAL TO ENHANCE PLANT GROWTH IN EGGPLANT

Abstract

Endophytes are often microorganisms that live within plants without causing apparent diseases. They are ubiquitous and have been found in all species of plants studied to date. However, most of the endophyte to plant relationships is not well understood. In this research, we isolated and studied the properties of the endophytic bacteria from Jatropha curcas. L. as plant growth promoter’s agents. In this study, were isolated 195 isolates of endophytic bacteria, of which 44 passed the hemolytic and hypersensitive test using blood agar media and tobacco leaves host as an indicator. Twenty-three of the 44 endophyte bacteria isolates exhibited different biochemical properties. Out of these 44 isolates, 12 were able to dissolve phosphate and 5 isolates were able to fix nitrogen through in vitro test making them 23 candidates for plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). These 23 isolates were developed as PGPB to enhance the eggplant seedlings under in vivo test. Based on SAS multiple range test data analysis, two of the isolates FJS23 and FJS24 showed higher result among the rest of the isolates. Our results, therefore, indicated that these two isolates assayed are perfect candidates to be used as bio-control and growth enhancer for eggplant.