Prospecting endophytic bacterial colonization and their potential plant growth promoting attributes in hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize, a crop cultivated worldwide, was investigated for colonization endophytic bacteria at different growth stage in different plant parts. Such bacterial interactions have high potential to enhance maize growth and development by means of plant growth promoting activities. 82 morphologically different endophytic bacterial isolates were isolated from hybrid maize variety, Pusa Extra Early Hybrid Maize (PEEHM-5) from root, stem and leaf tissues on different nutrient media at vegetative, flowering and maturity stages of growth. Among growth stages, the maximum population of endophytic bacteria was found at flowering stage followed by vegetative and maturity stage.