Abstract

In the current study cyanobacterial strains isolated from rice fields were evaluated as biofertilizers. They were tested for different plant growth promoting traits such as phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation and, hydrogen cyanide and auxin production. The two selected cyanobacterial strains were identified asphormidium SM-14 and SM-15. Both strains were able to solubilize phosphate, fix atmospheric nitrogen and produce hydrogen cyanide. Cyanobacteria produced variable amount of auxin in the presence of different concentrations of L-Tryptophan. Cyanobacterial strains used as biofertilizers have tremendous potential to enhance growth of Triticum aestivum var. Uqab 2000 in control conditions.

Key words: Cyanobacteria, wheat, auxin, BG11 medium, Phormidium.