Isolation and characterization of nodule associated bacteria from chickpea and their potential for plant growth promotion

Nitrogenase activity and siderophore production were not detected in the selected bacterial isolate. The 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the bacterial isolate was closely related to Enterobacter sp. with 99% maximum identity. This investigation led to identifying the natural associations between the most promising nodule associated bacterium and Mesorhizobium ciceri in chickpea and the positive influence of their interactions.