Isolation and Identification of Microorganisms Growing on the Root of Leguminous Plants (Groundnut, Soya bean and Pea)

Study on the isolation and identifications of bacteria associated with the root of legumes were conducted using Spread Plate Technique. The frequencies of occurrences of the bacteria isolate showed that a total of sixteen (16) bacteria belonging to three genera and four species were isolated from the leguminous plants. Maximum number recovered from sample collected from the root of groundnut was seven (7) followed by Soya bean with five (5) while Pea recorded the least number of four (4). Role of Bacillus subtilis in the soil around the leguminous plant was the highest, which covered about 37.50% of the total isolates. Other bacteria that were also isolated from the soil around the legumes root include Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus which covered about four (4) each representing 25.0% of the total isolates while Pseudomonas aeruginosa recorded the least value of 12.50%. The bacteria isolated from the root of the legumes were not significantly different (P < 0.05). The bacteria have Nitrogen-fixing potential, having isolated from three leguminous plants which include Soya bean, Groundnut and Pea.