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ABSTRACT
Fluted pumpkin scientifically known as Telfairia occidentalis belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae is a tropical vine plant widely cultivated for its edible leaves, seeds, and fruits, cultivated in West Africa for its nutritional value and culinary uses. Fluted pumpkin plant rhizosphere habours rhizobacteria which are specific group of microorganism that reside in the rhizosphere, the region of soil around plant roots.The aim of this research work is to identify and access the functional properties of rhizobacteria associated with fluted pumpkin plant in Aso rock farm, GRA, Benin City. Three rhizospheric soil samples of healthy fluted pumpkin were collected ideally. Serial dilution of the soil sample and culturing of the bacterial suspension were employed. Bacteria isolates were identified by cultural characteristics, light microscopy, Gram staining and biochemical analysis. The results obtained showed colony counts of bacteria ranged from 1.38×105-2.88×105 cfu/ml. Six rhizospheric bacterial species were isolated; Azospirillum amazonese, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus licheniformis, Enterobacter aerogens, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens and screened for their plant growth promoting activities. Azospirillum amazonese, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens tested positive to ammonia production while Serratia marcescens tested positive to indole acetic acid production and hydrogen cyanide production respectively. The quantitative and qualitative analysis employed have provided information on the various rhizobacteria associated with fluted pumpkin plants. These findings underscore the significance of these rhizobacteria in the context of fluted pumpkin cultivation and incorporating research on these rhizobacteria into microbiology enhances the knowledge of microbial communities, behavior and suggest their practical applications.
