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ABSTRACT
Maize (Zea mays), which is a member of the Poacaea family is one of the most important cereal crop species in the world and serves as staple food for many population, composing of maize kernel, stems,root and fruits which serves as health benefits and nutritional value. The aim of this research is to examine, isolate and characterize plant growth promoting bacteria that colonize the rhizosphere of maize plants in farm at Iguosa and Oluku Benin City. Three rhizospheric soil samples of healthy Maize were collected ideally. Serial dilution of the soil sample and culturing of the bacterial suspension were employed. Bacterial isolates were identified by cultural characteristics, Gram staining and biochemical analysis. Results obtained showed colony count of bacterial range from 2.5×105 -8.0×103 Cfu/ml. Seven rhizospheric bacterial species were isolated Arthrobacter protophormiae, Micrococcus luteus, Streptomyces albus, Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Arthrobacter globiforms, Bacillus megaterium and screened for plant growth promoting activities . Bacillus megaterium, Micrococcus luteus and Pseudomonas fluorescens tested positive to indole acetic acid test, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide production. Two bacterial were further selected and were used to inoculate maize seeds. Ten maize seed were inoculated with the bacterial species. Control experiment were also set up. From the experiment it was observed that the shoot height and shoot width of the maize seedlings inoculated with Micrococcus luteus performed better than Bacillus megaterium. Maize seedlings co-inoculated with Micrococcus luteus+Bacillus megaterium showed a higher Percentage seed germination than those that were singly inoculated either Micrococcus luteus or Bacillus megaterium on the percentage of germination of maize seedlings. This study has shown that rhizobacteria from maize rhizosphere can be further harnessed to enhance the growth of maize plants and possibly other agricultural crops.
