ABSTRACT
Thirty-two bacterial isolates were obtained from wheat rhizosphere in black cotton soils of North Maharashtra region and subsequently tested for in-vitro siderophore production. Wheat isolate SCW1, being a strong siderophore producer, was selected, identified and confirmed as Acinetobacter calcoaceticus. The strain produced catechol type of siderophores during exponential phase which was influenced by iron content of medium. Seed bacterization with siderophoregenic A.calcoaceticus improved plant growth in pot and field studies. Such PGPR activity was attributed to the ability of strain to solubilise phosphates and produce IAA. Siderophore mediated antagonism was observed against common phytopathogens viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Colletotrichum capsicum and Fusarium oxysporum