Biochemical characterization of Bacillus species isolated from rice rhizosphere in Odisha

The Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) such as Bacillus spp. promotes plant growth directly or indirectly. The aim of this study was to isolate the Bacillus species from rice rhizosphere and characterize by biochemical methods. A total of 10 effective Bacillus spp. were identified using both classical and biochemical identification kit methods. The HiBacillusTM kit included a number of biochemical tests viz., citrate utilisation, malonate, voges proskauer’s, ONPG, nitrate reduction, catalase, arginine, sucrose, mannitol, glucose, arabinose and trehalose. The basis for the biochemical testing is the pH change and substrate utilization. The result interpretation chart was used to identify the native bacterial isolates. The classical tests including gram’s staining, KOH testing, starch hydrolysis, IAA generation, siderophore testing, HCN testing, and proteolytic activity were carried out. Biochemical test results confirmed that ten isolates were belongs to the genus Bacillus.