Microbial Capacity for Auxin Biosynthesis: A Comparative Exploration

Abstract

This study investigates the auxin biosynthesis potential of selected microbial species, namely Bacillus, Azotobacter, Pseudomonas, Azospirillum, and Rhizobium species. Qualitative assessments using the Salkowski reagent confirmed the capability of these strains to yield indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a key plant growth regulator. Quantitative analysis revealed significant variations in auxin production, with Azotobacter demonstrating the highest IAA levels, followed by Bacillus, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas and Azospirillum exhibited intermediate IAA production. The findings underscore the strain-specific nature of auxin production within microbial genera, emphasizing the importance of precise strain selection for potential applications in sustainable agriculture. Azotobacter, with its superior auxin production, emerges as a promising candidate for bioinoculant development. These results contribute valuable knowledge to the understanding of plant-microbe interactions and lay the foundation for further research into tailored microbial applications for enhanced crop growth and productivity.