Anthoni Samy, A: Isolation and characterization of PGPR and

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs) are a heterogeneous group of bacteria that can be found in the rhizosphere, at root surfaces and in association with roots, which can improve the extent or quality of plant growth directly or indirectly. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), most wealthy and ubiquitous in the soil types, which play a key role in the functioning of food chain and its population richness is an important determinant of soil ecosystem development. In our surveillance report totally, 113 heterotrophic strains (Pseudomonas,Bacillus,Acinetobacter,Alcaligenes,and Enterobacter spp.),and their physiochemical characteristics were isolated and identified from six different crop cultivars such as Rice, Groundnut, Sugarcane, Maize, Banana and Sunflower. In addition 3 EPNs (2 Steinernema and 1 Heterorhabditis) and their symbiotic bacteria, Xenorhabdus and Photorhabdus were also identified and characterized.