Isolation and Characterization of Multifunctional Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria from Indigenous Sahiwal Cow Dung for Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

India, with its rich livestock diversity, has indigenous cow breeds such as Sahiwal. These native breeds have evolved resilience to climatic stress and nutritional scarcity, yet remain underutilized due to low milk yield. This study explores an alternative valorization strategy by investigating the microbial potential of Sahiwal cow (from Sonipat District of Haryana) dung for potential agricultural applications. Fresh samples were analyzed for microbial load and then subjected to the isolation, identification, and functional characterization of the associated microflora. Particular focus was placed on plant-growth-promoting attributes such as nutrient solubilization (zinc, potassium, phosphate), nitrogen fixation, and antagonistic activity. The findings reveal a diverse bacterial consortium with significant functional traits, highlighting the promise of cow dung-derived microbial consortia in sustainable farming. By linking indigenous biodiversity with organic soil enrichment practices, this work underscores the dual benefit of breed conservation and eco-friendly agricultural productivity.