| Summary: | Maize is an important cereal crop which is severely affected by <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>. The study aims to identify endophytic bacteria of maize root and leaf apoplastic fluid with bioprotective traits against <i>S. frugiperda</i> and plant growth promoting properties. Among 15 bacterial endophytic isolates, two strains—namely, RAF5 and LAF5—were selected and identified as <i>Alcaligenes</i> sp. MZ895490 and <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> MZ895491, respectively. The bioprotective potential of <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i> was evaluated through bioassays. In a no-choice bioassay, second instar larvae of <i>S. frugiperda</i> fed on <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i> treated leaves (B+) recorded comparatively lesser growth (1.10 ± 0.19 mg mg<sup>−1</sup> day<sup>−1</sup>) and consumptive (7.16 ± 3.48 mg mg<sup>−1</sup> day<sup>−1</sup>) rates. In larval dip and choice bioassay, the same trend was observed. In detached leaf experiment, leaf feeding deterrence of <i>S. frugiperda</i> was found to be greater due to inoculation with <i>B</i>. <i>amyloliquefaciens</i> than <i>Alcaligenes</i> sp. The phenolics content of <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i> inoculated plant was also found to be greater (3.06 ± 0.09 mg gallic acid g<sup>−1</sup>). However, plant biomass production was more in <i>Alcaligenes</i> sp inoculated treatment. The study thus demonstrates the potential utility of <i>Alcaligenes</i> sp. and <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i> for improving growth and biotic (<i>S. frugiperda</i>) stress tolerance in maize.
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