摘要：The present study explored the plant growth promotion and bioremediation potential of bacteria inhabiting wastewater irrigated agricultural soils. Thirty out of 75 bacterial isolates (40%), 29/75 (39%) and 28/75 (37%) solubilized Zn, K and PO<sub>4</sub> during plate essays respectively. Fifty-six percent of the isolates produced siderophores, while 30% released protease in vitro. Seventy-four percent of bacteria resisted Pb, Ni and Cd at various concentrations added to the culture media plates. Sixteen out of 75 (26%) isolates were able to fix N in Nbf medium. Among these 16 N fixers, N fixing <i>nifH, nifD</i> and <i>nifK</i> genes was detected through PCR in 8, 7 and 1 strain respectively using gene specific primers designed in the study with <i>Enterobacter</i> sp. having all three (<i>nifHKD)</i> genes. Isolated bacteria showed resemblance to diverse genera such as <i>Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Enterobacter, Citrobacter, Acinetobacter, Serratia, Klebsiella</i> and <i>Enterococcus</i> based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. In addition to showing the best mineral solubilization and metal resistance potential, <i>Citrobacter</i> sp. and <i>Enterobacter</i> sp. also removed 87%, 79% and 43% and 86%, 78% and 51% of Ni, Cd and Pb, respectively, from aqueous solution. These potent bacteria may be exploited both for bioremediation and biofertilization of wastewater irrigated soils leading to sustainable agriculture.
