The objective of present study was to screen and isolate protease producing bacteria from soil samples collected from rhizospheric soil of apple orchard from Kotkhai of Shimla District. Collected soil samples were serially diluted and 0.1ml of sample was spread on skim milk agar plates at 37⁰C for 48 hrs. Out of fifteen, six bacterial colonies from rhizospheric soil samples showed clear zone around the colony indicating protease activity. Among these, two isolates i.e. KK₃ and KK₄ produced highest protease activity and was identified as Pseudomonas Sp. by physiological, morphological and biochemical test, the isolated protease producing bacteria also having antifungal activity against different plant pathogenic fungi. The above results indicate that these bacterial isolates can be used as a biocontrol agent against different phytopathogens.

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