Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are natural soil bacteria inhabiting rhizosphere, rhizoplane and roots of plants, promoting plant growth by a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. Ficus religiosa growing on concrete walls or rocks experience stress conditions, hence we hypothesize that rhizobacteria of such a plant may have potential to support plant growth in adverse conditions. 30 root samples of Ficus religiosa were processed and screened for isolation of PGPR and 48 different bacteria were isolated. These isolates were characterized for their multifunctional ability to produce plant growth hormones like IAA, siderophores production, solubilisation of Zinc, potash and phosphate. Antagonistic activity was checked as HCN production ability. Furthermore isolates were assessed for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase enzyme production. Out of 48 isolates, 10 isolates (consortium RL) were selected for seed germination and root shoot elongation assay. The ability of rhizobacteria to support plant growth in drought condition was checked in plate test by applying water stress condition. The results indicated that rhizobacteria from Ficus religiosa significantly enhanced root and shoot length compared to control under water stress condition.

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