Rhizobacterial biofilm and plant growth promoting trait enhancement by organic acids and sugars.

In the study, sp. K6 and were found to form an enhanced biofilm when cultured in the presence of organic acids and sugars. Here, the highest biofilm could be observed for sp. K6 (3.08 ± 0.13) and (1.99 ± 0.12) when cultured in presence of 10 µM malic acid. However, maximum production of indole 3 acetic acid (IAA) was observed with 25 µM succinic acid treatment for sp. K6 (24.33 ± 0.57 µg ml) and with 25 µM galactose for (20 ± 0.0 µg ml). At the same time, sp. K6 solubilized the highest quantity of phosphate in the presence of 50 µM citric acid (21.33 ± 0.0 µM) and was observed to produce 32.66 ± 1.25 µM soluble phosphate in the presence of 10 µM galactose. The results of the study demonstrate the role of organic acids and sugars in the enhancement of biofilm formation, IAA production and phosphate solubilization in selected spp. and highlight the potential use of rhizobacteria in conjugation with supplement for the agricultural applications.