Diversity and functional characterization of antifungal-producing Streptomyces-like microbes isolated from the rhizosphere of cajuput plants (Melaleuca leucodendron L.)

Aims@#The study was undertaken to evaluate the diversity of actinomycetes from the rhizosphere of the cajuput plant (Melaleuca leucodendron L.) using ARDRA, and to examine their in vitro antifungal potency against selected fungi. @*Methodology and results@#A total of 78 Streptomyces-like microbes were isolated from the limestone rhizosphere of cajuput plants and cultured in SN agar medium. The ability to inhibit fungal growth was observed using a dual culture assay. The diversity of the isolates was examined by morphological and genotype profiling using ARDRA (Amplified 16S ribosomal DNA restriction analysis), following which they were assigned to eight groups. Seventeen (21.8%) strains showed the ability to produce the antifungal compound as evidenced by their antagonism in vitro against the tested fungi, namely Saccharomyces cerevisiae BY 47420, Candida albicans CGMCC 2538, Aspergillus flavus NRLL 3357, and Fusarium oxysporum KFCC 11363P in the dual culture assay. One isolate, GMR22, which showed potent antagonism against unicellular and filamentous fungi, displayed 97% 16S rRNA sequence similarity to Streptomyces vayuensis. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#This study demonstrated that a diversity of Streptomyces-like antifungal producing microbes were present in the rhizosphere of cajuput plants in the Wanagama Forests of Indonesia. This rhizosphere represents a potential new source of actinomycetes that produce biologically active compounds. One selected strain (GMR22) has the potential to be developed as a commercial biofungicide.

Characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen fixing bacteria from limestone mining region

Aims: Phosphate and nitrogen are major macronutrients needed by plants. Phosphates in the soil are present in the organic and inorganic form. The amounts of phosphate and nitrogen in marginal soil can be increased by plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize phosphate solubilizing bacteria which has ability to fix nitrogen from the soil around limestone mining area. Methodology and results: There were 22 isolates that could solubilize phosphate and fix nitrogen. There were 9 isolates that could not cause hypersensitivity symptoms (necrotic) on tobacco leaf. Quantitative assay of phosphate solubilizing was done by colorimetric method. Quantitative assay of phosphate showed that isolate GPC1.7 had the highest phosphate solubilizing activity on Pikovskaya broth (450 mg/L) on the 6th and 7th day of incubation whereas isolate GPA2.2 had the highest nitrogen fixing activity (0.162 ppm/h), measured with Acetylene Reduction Assay whereas nitrogenase activity of GPC1.7 was unidentified. Isolate GPA2.1 and GPA2.2 were Gram negative bacteria whereas isolate GPC1.7 was Gram positive bacteria. Identification based on 16S rRNA gene showed that GPA2.1 was closely related to Pseudomonas psychrotolerans, GPA2.2 was closely related to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, GPC1.7 was closely related to Bacillus megaterium and B. aryabhattai. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Phosphate solubilizing bacteria and nitrogen fixing bacteria isolate could be further used for revegetation process of the ex-limestone mining area.