Role of Plasmid in Pesticide Degradation and Metal Tolerance in Two Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Bacillus cereus (NCIM 5557) and Bacillus safensis (NCIM 5558).

Disha A (Bacillus cereus) and Disha B (Bacillus safensis) were isolated from pesticide-infested agricultural field and showed tolerance against pesticides, heavy metals, and antibiotics. The isolates exhibited PGPR activities in vitro as well as in field conditions in lentil (Lens culinaris) and cow pea (Vigna unguiculata). Both the Bacillus species could not be grown in mineral salt medium but efficiently grown in the media supplemented with pesticide (imidacloprid/carbendazim) demonstrating the utilization of pesticide as carbon/nitrogen source.