181PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA (PSB) AND ITS PRIMING EFFECT ON THE GERMINATION AND GROWTH OF ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS LINN - A CASE STUDYThe present study mainly focus on the isolation of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB) and its effect on the growth of Abelmoschus esculentus Linn. under normal and saline conditions. The results of the present study reveals that, seeds of A. esculentus L. which are treated with PSB shows high percentage of germination and growth than untreated seeds. Moreover the length of shoot and root, fresh and dry weight of the plants, total chlorophyll and protein contents were also observed as high level when compared to control (untreated with PSB).binuthomasct@gmail.comResearch522015Abelmoschus esculentus Linn,Agricultural-crops, Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria (PSB),Salinity stressChithra KN, Siji KP,Binu ThomasPG Department of Botany, Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad, Kottayam-686 633, Kerala, India,PG Department of Botany, Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad, Kottayam-686 633, Kerala, India,PG Department of Botany, Deva Matha College, Kuravilangad, Kottayam-686 633, Kerala, India