In the present study, samples of rhizosphere and root nodules were collected from different areas of Pakistan to isolate plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Identification of bacterial isolates was made by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and taxonomical confirmation on EzTaxon Server. The identified bacterial strains were belonged to 5 genera i.e. Ensifer, Bacillus, Pseudomona, Leclercia and Rhizobium. Phylogenetic analysis inferred from 16S rRNA gene sequences showed the evolutionary relationship of bacterial strains with the respective genera. Based on phylogenetic analysis, some candidate novel species were also identified. The bacterial strains were also characterized for morphological, physiological, biochemical tests and glucose dehydrogenase (gdh) gene that involved in the phosphate solublization using cofactor pyrroloquinolone quinone (PQQ). Seven rhizoshperic and 3 root nodulating stains are positive for gdh gene. Furthermore, this study confirms a novel association between microbes and their hosts like field grown crops, leguminous and non-leguminous plants. It was concluded that a diverse group of bacterial population exist in the rhizosphere and root nodules that might be useful in evaluating the mechanisms behind plant microbial interactions and strains QAU-63 and QAU-68 have sequence similarity of 97 and 95% which might be declared as novel after further taxonomic characterization.

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of plant growth regulators viz., kinetin, chlorocholine chloride (CCC) and salicylic acid (SA) on achene yield and oil quality of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) cv. Thori pertaining to biodiesel production. The growth regulators were applied at 10-5M as foliar spray during flowering (140 days after sowing). Kinetin was highly effective in increasing achene yield, 100 achene weight and oil refractive index. Maximum achene oil content was found in CCC treatment. Kinetin and CCC significantly decreased oil acid value, free fatty acid content (% oleic acid) and specific gravity but increased oil pH. Kinetin was highly effective in increasing oleic acid (C18:1) but decreased the content of linoleic acid (C18:2). Oil extracted from achenes of CCC and Kinetin treated plants exhibited maximum (92%) conversion into methyl esters.