Impact of Wheat-Derived Rhizobacteria on the Maize Development from District Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

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Published: Jul 31, 2025
Keywords:
Rhizospheric bacteria, Plant growth promotion, Phosphate solubilization, Potassium solubilization, Maize growth

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Asia Bibi
Department of Botany, Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Bagh: Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad
Saima Ashraf
Department of Botany, Mohi-ud-din Islamic university Nerian sharif AJK ,Pakistan
Nosheen Azhar
Department of Botany, Women University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Bagh
Sidra Qayyum
Department of Botany, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad
Masab Saeed
Department of Chemistry, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300-Mansehra, Pakistan
Rida Zameer
Department of Chemistry, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300-Mansehra, Pakistan
Hifsa Arif
Department of Microbiology, Hazara University, Mansehra-21300, Pakistan
Syed Azhar Shah Kazmi
M.Phil Scholar, Department of Botany, Hazara University, Mansehra-21300, Pakistan
Asim Shahzad
M.Phil. Department of Microbiology, Hazara University, Mansehra-21300, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of rhizospheric bacteria isolated from wheat plants in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, for promoting maize growth. A total of 12 bacterial strains, including Pseudomonas canadensis (RW-2), Enterobacter ludwigii (RW-5), and Bacillus aerius (RW-12), were isolated from the rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and endophytic regions of wheat plants. These strains were characterized based on their morphological and biochemical properties, including phosphate and potassium solubilization, catalase activity, nitrogen fixation, and indole acetic acid production. The bacterial strains were further tested for their compatibility in a consortium and their effect on maize growth in a greenhouse experiment. The results showed that Pseudomonas canadensis and Bacillus aerius exhibited significant phosphate and potassium solubilization activity, while Enterobacter ludwigii was effective in producing IAA. The greenhouse experiment revealed that the application of bacterial consortia combined with 90% potassium increased maize plant height by 25%, root length by 42%, and leaf area by up to 48% compared to control treatments. The results suggest that the isolated rhizospheric bacteria significantly enhanced maize growth, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers.

Article Details

How to Cite
Asia Bibi, Saima Ashraf, Nosheen Azhar, Sidra Qayyum, Masab Saeed, Rida Zameer, Hifsa Arif, Syed Azhar Shah Kazmi, & Asim Shahzad. (2025). Impact of Wheat-Derived Rhizobacteria on the Maize Development from District Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Al-Qanṭara. Retrieved from https://alqantarajournal.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/767
Issue
Vol. 11 No. 3 (2025)
Section
Articles

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