Bioassociative effect of cold tolerant Pseudomonas spp. and Rhizobium leguminosarum-PR1 on iron acquisition, nutrient uptake and growth of lentil (Lens culinaris L.)

► In this study bioassociative effects of Rhizobium and Pseudomonas was examined on lentil plant growth. ► Combinations of bacterium were effective in plant development, nutrient uptake and root system quality. ► Results support the importance of physiological and genetic adaptation of microbes to the natural environment. ► The variations in efficacy of treatment combinations indicate the specificity of the inoculums response. ► Hence, bacterial combinations could be exploited as biofertilizer to enable plants in a competitive way in hilly agro-ecosystem.