Seed borne nature of Azotobacter chroococcum in chilli (Capsicum annum) and its role in seed germination and plant growth.

Investigations were carried out on seed borne nature of Azotobacter chroococcum in chilli and their role in plant growth at the Department of Agriculture Microbiology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. Azotobacter chroococcum were isolated from both surface sterilized and unsterilized seeds of 14 varieties of chilli at different stages of fruit maturity. Inoculation with these strains increased the seed germination, root, shoot length and total dry matter content of chilli plants significantly in both sterilized and unsterilized soil., the results of which are presented.