LAUSR

ABSTRACT Nutrient management in Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) cultivation is in part dependent on the microbial population in the rhizosphere. Fertilizer must be applied to support plant growth and development. Whether fertilizer usage in cauliflower can be reduced needs to be determined. Rhizospheric isolates of cauliflower, obtained from soil around the roots and from their roots, in the low and mid-hills agro-ecological zones of India were tested for their efficacy to support cauliflower productivity. The plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria SB5, SB8, SB10, and SB11 exhibited the best plant growth–promoting traits with antagonism against soilborne pathogens compared to the reference strain Bacillus pumilus (JN559852). Application of SB11 (Bacillus spp.) exhibited the most plant growth–promoting attributes in field trials at 75% N and P and increased yield by 33% over the uninoculated control at 100% N and P. The isolate SB11 exhibited P solubilization, siderophore production, indole acetic acid production, hydrocyanic acid (HCN) production, and antifungal activity that may be developed as a plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) to enhance crop productivity and sustain soil health while saving 25% usage of chemical fertilizers.