Studies on Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria From Bitter Melon

This book explores the isolation and functional analysis of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) from the rhizosphere of Momordica charantia (bitter melon) cultivated in Cuddalore. Ten PGPR strains, primarily Pseudomonas and Azospirillum species, were identified and evaluated for their plant-beneficial traits, including IAA production, phosphate solubilization, ammonia and HCN production. The standout strains, such as FM-4 and XC-2, exhibited notable growth-promoting abilities. In a complementary study, the methanolic extract of M. charantia showed strong antibacterial activity, especially against Shigella spp., and FT-IR analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic acids. This integrated approach highlights the dual potential of PGPR and M. charantia in enhancing sustainable agriculture and alternative medicine through improved plant growth and natural antimicrobial activity.