Abstract
Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria are key to soil and plant health maintenance. In the present study, two PGPR strains which were identified as Bacillus spp. (accession number KX650178 and KX650179) with nanozeolite (50 ppm) were applied to the seeds in different combinations and tested on growth profile of maize crop. Various growth related parameters, including plant height, leaf area, number of leaves chlorophyll and total protein were positively increased up to twofold by the nanocompound treatment. GC-MS results reveal increase in total phenolic and acid ester compounds after the treatment of nanozeolite and PGPR, which are responsible for stress tolerance mechanism. Soil physicochemical parameters (organic carbon, phosphorous, potassium, ammoniacal nitrogen and nitrate nitrogen) were assessed qualitatively and a shift towards higher amount was observed. Various biochemical parameters of soil health like dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly enhanced up to threefold with the application of different treatments. The results, for the first time, demonstrate successful use of nanozeolite in enhancing growth of Zea mays, under controlled conditions and present a viable alternative to GM crop for ensuring food security.