Isolation and Characterization of Zinc Solubilizing Bacteria from Kashmir Himalayas

Rhizosphere soil samples from Brinjal crop were collected from the 12 different locations in north Kashmir districts with the objective to isolate the zinc solubilizing bacteria, their screening and characterization. Zinc carbonate was used as insoluble zinc source. Out of 80 Zn solubilizers, 10 most outstanding isolates were maintained for further screening for mineral solubilization (Zn and K). Among these Znsb(Kup)M2 which was identified as Bacillus cereus by molecular techniques, showed maximum solubilization index (S.I) and solubilization efficiency (S.E) with 2.4 and 340 % at 48 hrs and 3.8 and 480 % at 72 hr of incubation respectively. In broth containing zinc carbonate, the isolate Bacillus cereus {Znsb(Kup)M2}released significantly highest zinc content of 12 ppm/ml 10 days after incubation. Four isolates also showed IAA activity, potassium and phosphate solubilization with highest index of 1.28 and 1.66 shown by Bacillus cereus, further the same isolate also possessed antagonism against Colletotricum capsici.