PGPR in purified talc and sodium alginate powder formulations were prepared by aseptically mixing 400 ml of the bacterial suspension, prepared as described above, with 1 kg of commercial talc powder (S.D. Fine Chemicals) and sodium alginate powder (HiMedia, Mumbai) separately. The purified talc and sodium alginate powder were autoclaved at 121 °C (115 psi for 20 min) on two consecutive days. This formulated mixture was mixed with 0.2% CMC prior to treating seed. Surface-sterilized rice seed were mixed with the formulation at a rate of 10 g/kg of seed. The seeds treated with sterile talc powder or sodium alginate amended with CMC and seeds treated with talc powder or sodium alginate alone served as controls.