Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences http://www.jebas.org ISSN No. 2320 – 8694 Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences, April - 2021; Volume – 9(2) page 231 – 238 PLANT GROWTH POTENTIAL OF SALT TOLERANT ENDOPHYTE Pseudomonas Sihuiensis ISOLATED FROM CHICKPEA Navneet Joshi 1, *, Laxmi Choudhary 1 , Kanti Prakash Sharma 1 , Hafiz M.N. Iqbal 2, * 1 Department of Biosciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Sikar, Rajasthan, India 2 Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Mexico Received – January 01, 2021; Revision – April 09, 2021; Accepted – April 20, 2021 Available Online – April 25, 2021 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18006/2021.9(2).231.238 ABSTRACT Bacterial endosymbionts are well characterized for plant growth promotion. In this study, the root, nodules, and stem of the Cicer arietinum crop planted in a semi-arid zone were used as a source to isolate potential plant growth bacteria. The ability to grow under salt stress was determined, and the potential isolate was screened for plant growth promotion traits. The selected isolate was identified by the 16S rDNA method. Pot trials were conducted to know the ability of the isolate to promote plant growth in-vivo. Among various isolates obtained, a bacterial isolate obtained from root showed the ability to grow in the presence of 10 % Sodium fluoride (NaF). The isolate produced Indole Acetic acid in an amount of 72 mg per liter in production medium. The bacteria solubilized phosphate and produce exopolysaccharide (2.12 g per liter). The isolate was identified as Pseudomonas sihuiensis. The result of pot trials reveals that the endophyte promotes plant growth under stress conditions and may be used as a bio-fertilizer. * Corresponding author KEYWORDS Endophyte Semi-arid zone Salt stress Exopolysaccaharide Biofertilizer Agricultural use E-mail: navybiotech@gmail.com (Navneet Joshi); hafiz.iqbal@tec.mx (H.M.N. Iqbal) Peer review under responsibility of Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences. All the articles published by Journal of Experimental Biology and Agricultural Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License Based on a work at www.jebas.org. Production and Hosting by Horizon Publisher India [HPI] (http://www.horizonpublisherindia.in/). All rights reserved.