Table 2 Characterization and identification of selected rhizobial isolates

^bGram staining

−

−

^bOxidase activity

+

+

^bCatalase activity

+

+

^bExopolysaccharide production

++

+++

^bOrganic acid production

+

+

^bP-solubilization

++

+++

^bSiderophores production

+

+

^bIAA production (mg L⁻¹)^a

1.86 ± 0.18

5.16 ± 0.11

^bRoot colonization of wheat (10⁵ CFU g⁻¹)^a

1.98 ± 0.21

2.73 ± 0.16

^bAggregation (%)^a

5.60 ± 0.33

9.83 ± 0.55

^cBIOLOG® similarity

Rhizobium leguminosarum

Mesorhizobium ciceri

^cSimilarity value (%)

93

96