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Saffron, although one of the most important crops, has received very little attention from the scientific community. Particularly, no reports are available on the rhizosphere microbiology of the crop that would show the relationship between the corm and fertility management. The rhizosphere was evaluated by the use of different selective media. Isolates were characterized on morphological and biochemical basis. These isolated were screened for their growth promoting activities on the basis of production of ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, phosphate solubilization and production of Indole acetic acid. This study clearly indicates that bacteria associated with the rhizosphere of Saffron have beneficial effects on growth.

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Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat is Assistant Professor in Department of Botany, Amar Singh College, Srinagar, Kashmir. He has almost 13 years of research and teaching experience and is the author of many national and international publications. Prof. M.Y. Zargar is Dean, Faculty of Forestry and group leader of organic research, SKUAST-Kashmir.

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