PRODUCTION OF INDOLE ACETIC ACID (IAA) FROM ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM SAUSSUREA OBVALLATANanaware J.P., Mirgale G.S., Masurkar S.A. and G.R. PathadeAbstract Endophytes are plant beneficial bacteria that thrive inside plant and improve plant growth under normal and challenging condition as they contain growth regulators. Endophytes are capable of synthesizing bioactive compounds which protect plants against pathogens. Endophytic bacteria can improve plant health by targeting pest and pathogens by antibiotic, hydrolytic enzymes production and creating nutrient limitations. Saussurea obvallata is a species of flowering plant considered as medicinal herb in Tibetan medicine. The leaves of Saussurea obvallata were selected for isolation of endophytic bacteria. A total number of three endophytic bacteria were isolated and they were designated as IS-1, IS-2, IS-3. All the three isolates were screened for their ability to produce IAA using Salkowskiâs reagent. The two isolates showing IAA producing ability were subjected to IAA production using Nutrient broth tryptophan medium Isolate IS-2 was found to be producing 380 ïg/ml amount of IAA in presence of 7 ïg/ml tryptophan in the medium. The endophytic bacterial isolate IS-2 which has been tentatively identified as Micrococcus luteus and found promising isolate for IAA production. |