N.M. SHAIKH, B.P. JINTURKAR AND A.B. ADE
Abstract
This study was carried out to isolate and characterize the rhizospheric soil bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum, which is free living aerobic nitrogen fixing rhizobacteria. Nine samples were collected from three villages of taluka Daund Yawat, Jawje Buwachiwadi and Bhandgaon, from each village three samples were collected. Out of nine only three samples showed the formation of milky white, translucent colonies and development of pigmentation in older colonies. Further they also showed positive results for various biochemical tests such as hydrogen sulfide production, catalase, gelatin liquefaction, starch hydrolysis and indole acetic acid production. Morphological and biochemical characteristics confirmed that these isolates are Azotobacter chroococcum.