Endophytic actinobacteria of a halophytic desert plant : promising growth enhancers of sunflower.

In the present study, 40 actinobacterial isolates were obtained from the roots of a desert plant, and tested for extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities, hydrogen cyanide, and siderophore production. Based on these activities, three isolates designated UTMC 2482, UTMC 2483, and UTMC 3136 were selected with an aim of developing bio-fertilizing agent to improve the growth of sunflower plants under normal conditions. The selected isolates showed 98.