Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of indigenous liquid compatible microbial consortia on seed germination of Ximenia americana L. harvested from Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forest of Telangana, India

V. Nagaraju¹, J. Shankaraswamy¹*, R. Marri², Shahanaz³ and G. Sathish⁴        

¹Department of Fruit Science, College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Sri Konda LaxmanTelangana Horticultural University, Mojerla-509 382, India

²Department of Fruit Science, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana, Horticultural University, Mulugu-502 279, India

³Department of Entomology, College of Horticulture, Mojerla, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mojerla-509 382, India

⁴Department of Agricultural Statistics, Sri Konda Laxman Telangana Horticultural University, Mulugu-502 279, India

Received: 28 April 2025                   Revised: 06 February 2026                   Accepted: 24 July 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : shankara.swamy@gmail.com                    *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5623-6384

Abstract

Aim: The present investigation was undertaken to develop a sustainable conservation protocol for the threatened medicinal tree Ximenia americana L. by enhancing seed germination and early seedling vigour through biopriming with an indigenous, site-specific liquid microbial consortium isolated from its native rhizosphere in the Amrabad Tiger Reserve.

Methodology: Six morphologically distinct, mutually compatible rhizobacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of Ximenia americana, pooled in equal proportion to formulate a stable liquid consortium and applied to surface-sterilized seeds at six serial dilutions (1:1, 1:20, 1:40, 1:60, 1:80, 1:100 v/v) along with a distilled-water control under a completely randomized design with three replications.

Results: Biopriming at the 1:80 dilution (T8) produced the highest germination (83.33%), shortest mean germination time (4.59 days), maximum seedling length (15.90 cm), dry weight (1.65 g) and seedling vigour indices (SVI-I 1244.67; SVI-II 129.13), whereas the undiluted consortium suppressed germination.

Interpretation: An optimally diluted indigenous microbial consortium serves as an eco-friendly, low-cost biotechnological intervention to overcome reproductive bottlenecks and aid in-situ and ex-situ conservation of Ximenia americana.

Key words: Biopriming, Microbial consortia, Rhizospheric soil, Ximnenia americana L.

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