Journal of Environmental Biology

Bioprospecting of microbial isolates from biodynamic preparations for PGPR and biocontrol properties

S. Vaish^{1, 2}, N. Garg¹* and I.Z. Ahmad³

¹Division of Post Harvest Managment, ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, Lucknow-226 101, India

²Department of Biosciences, Integral University, Lucknow-226 026, India

³Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Lucknow-226 026, India

*Corresponding Author Email : neelimagargg@gmail.com

Received: 21.05.2020                                                                  Revised: 17.10.2020                                              Accepted: 07.11.2020

Abstract

Aim: To study the role of microorganisms behind their bioenhancing, biocontrol properties, their enzymatic potential, and characterization of high performing microbial isolates on molecular basis.

Methodology: Dominant culturable microbes including  bacteria and fungi were isolated from biodynamic preparations and screened on the basis of plant-growth promoting (PGP) activities viz., ammonia production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, hydrogen cyanide production, seed germination efficacy and biocontrol properties. The dominant and effective microorganisms were screened for enzymes activities viz., pectinase, cellulase and amylase. The selected bacterial and fungal isolates, exhibiting higher enzyme activities, were subjected to molecular characterization.

Results: Out of 68 bacterial and 25 fungal isolates  from 8 biodynamic preparations (BD 500 - BD 507), 15 bacterial isolates exhibited high  plant growth promoting activities while 10 bacterial isolates exhibited biocontrol activity against pathogens. Bacillus licheniformis isolated from BD 504, expressed high pectinase (2.595 U ml^-1 min^-1), cellulase (0.308 U ml^-1 min^-1) and amylase (0.418 U ml^-1 min^-1) activities. Fungal isolates with high enzymatic activities, were isolated from BD 500, 503 and 506, respectively.     

Interpretation: Microorganism isolates from biodynamic preparations possessed strong plant growth promoting, biocontrol and enzymatic properties, which might be responsible for the efficacy of organic preparations under field conditions.       

Key words: Bacillus licheniformis, Biodynamic preparations, Microbes, Molecular identification, PGP activity

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