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ABSTRACT
The presence of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in the rhizosphere of plants enhances crop productivity and improve soil health especially in nutrient-deficient soils like ultisols. This study was to determine the presence and plant growth promoting capacities of the bacteria population in the rhizosphere of cassava plants cultivated in Ultisols at Greenhills Farm, Ologbo, Edo State, Nigeria. The treatments were; rhizosphere soil (No fertilizer was applied) and control; soils that were obtained from the cassava farmland at depths of 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm using a soil auger. Soil chemical analysis revealed that the chemical properties of soil from a cassava farm under control and rhizosphere soil treatments. Soil pH was slightly acidic (5.59-5.37) for both treatment. The rhizosphere soil had higher electrical conductivity (714.40 µS/cm). Organic matter (20.59 g/kg), organic carbon (35.49 g/kg), total nitrogen (1.50 g/kg), Available phosphorus (19.38 mg/kg) and potassium (0.14 cmol/kg) were higher in the control treatment. The results of microbial analysis showed the dominant bacterial isolates such as Klebsiella species, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis. Klebsiella species showed potential for ammonia synthesis, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and phosphorus solubilization. The presence of plant growth promoting bacteria, in the soil can improved plant growth and productivity even without the application of fertilizers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving plant growth. xi
