Diversity of cultivable rhizobacteria across tomato growing regions of Karnataka

- Rhizosphere of tomato was predominantly colonized by Bacillus and Pseudomonas.
- Analysis revealed that most rhizobacteria endowed with more than one PGPR trait.
- IAA and P solubilization are two dominant traits exhibited by rhizobacteria.
- Rhizobacteria showed a varied levels of plant growth promotion.
- Rhizobacteria offered protection against fungal origin foliar and root pathogens.