Plant Growth Promotion and Root Colonization by EPS Producing Enterobacter sp. RZS5 under Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil.

The heavy metal resistant bacterium isolated from field soil and identified as Enterobacter sp. RZS5 tolerates a high concentration (100-2000 mM) of various heavy metal ions such as Mn2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, CO2+ and Fe2+ when grown in such environment and produces exopolysaccharides (EPS). Here, we have demonstrated EPS production by Enterobacter sp. RZS5 during 60 h of growth in yeast extract mannitol broth (YEMB). The yield increased by two fold after the addition of 60 M of Ca2+; 50 M of Fe2+ and 60 M of Mg2+ ions in YEMB, and the optimization of physico-chemical parameters. EPS was extracted with 30% (v/v) of isopropanol as against the commonly used 50% (v/v) isopropanol method. EPS-rich broth promoted seed germination, shoot height, root length, number of leaves and chlorophyll content of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) seeds. The higher colony-forming unit of Enterobacter sp. in soil inoculated with EPS rich broth of Enterobacter sp. indicated the root colonizing potential and rhizosphere competence of the isolate. The FTIR spectra of the EPS extract confirmed the presence of the functional group characteristics of EPS known to exhibit a high binding affinity towards certain metal ions. This overall growth and vigour in plants along with the effective root colonization, reflected the potential of the isolate as an efficient bio-inoculant in bioremediation.

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus colonization and aflatoxin (AfB1) in peanut by methyleugenol.

Methyleugenol is naturally occurring substance in oils and fruits and in various foods as flavoring agent. Effect of this methyleugenol in inhibiting A. flavus colonization and aflatoxin production on peanut pods and kernels has been studied. Spray of methyleugenol (0.5%) on peanut pods and kernels checked the colonization of A. flavus and aflatoxin synthesis. This chemical can be used as both prophylactic or post infection spray on peanut pods before storage. It is the first report on the inhibition of A. flavus by methyleugenol on peanut.

Effect of sewage water on seed germination and vigour index of different varieties of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.).

The study has been focused on the investigation on ground nut (Arachis hypogea) fields influenced by sewage water. Sewage water sampled in and around Mysore city and analyzed forphysicochemical parameters. Different concentrations such as 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 70 and 100% of sewage water on seed germination and vigour index of Arachis hypogea verities such as DH - 2 - 30, ICJS - 11, JL - 24, K - 134, TMV - 2 and VRI - 2 were studied. From the recorded observation it is concluded that the sewage water diluted to 25% concentration for irrigation of groundnut enhances germination percentage and vigour index in K- 134 variety which is more susceptible than other tested varieties.

Influence of metham sodium on suppression of collar rot disease of peanut, in vitro antibiosis, siderophore production and root colonization by a fluorescent pseudomonad strain FPO4.

A hydroxamate type siderophore producing fluorescent Pseudomonas strain, isolated from the rhizoplane of paddy root showing plant growth promoting activity, exhibited a decreased in vitro antibiosis, production of siderophore and suppression of collar rot in presence of metham sodium. Use of herbicide had a detrimental effect on the plant growth promoting activity of this organism. The multiple drug resistant mutant strain derived from this rhizobacteria colonized the roots, but the herbicide application had a negative effect on their population. HPLC analysis of the siderophore showed five peaks of which the peak number three confirmed the antifungal activity.

Controle de fungos produtores de aflatoxinas no amendoim em casca pelo ortofenifenato de sódio: I. Condiçöes de Campo / Post-harvest chemical treatment of unshelled moist peanuts with sodium otho-phenylphenate tg control aflatoxigenic fungi: I. Field tests

Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a eficiência do ortofenilfenato de sódio(OFS) no controle de fungos produtores de aflatoxinas no amendoim em casca, em condiçöes de campo. O experimento foi conduzido na regiäo de Marília e a eficiência do produto foi testada através da pulverizaçäo, no campo, do amendoim em casca ainda enleirado, imediatamente antes de ser despencado e enascado, com soluçäo de OFS nas concentraçöes de 0, 1 por cento nas safras das áquas de 1986, a percentagem de amostras contaminadas, durante todo o período de armazenamento, foi de 11, 25por cento para o lote tratado, com nível médio de contaminaçäo(aflatoxina B1+G1) de 23 µg/Kg e de 100 por cento para o lote testemunha com nível médio de 3427 µg/Kg.Isto deve ter acontecido em virtude do elevado teor inicial de umidade deste lote.Na safra de seca de 1986 a percentagem de amostras contaminadas, no mesmo período, foi de 10 por cento, no lote tratado, com nível médio de contaminaçäo de 27µg/kg e de 3 por cento, no lote testemunha, com nível médio de 49µg/Kg.Na safra da águas de 1987, 100 por cento das amostras, analisadas durante todo o período de armazenamento, estavam contaminadas.No lote tratado, as amostras apresentaram um nível médio de contaminaçäo de 2780 µg/kg e no lote testemunha este valor foi de 6524 µg/kg no lote testemunha.na safra da seca de 1987, 8, 5 por cento das amostras analisadas estavam contaminadas com nível médio de 96µg/kg no lote tratado e no lote testemunha 38, 5 por cento das amostras retiradas estavam contaminadas com nível médio de 70 µg/kg.Verificou-se, nas quatro safras, que a aplicaçäo do produto, no campo, foi deficiente, pois näo se conseguiu a cobertura completa das vagens com a soluçäo de OFS.Os resultados indicam que há necessidade de se otimizar a aplicaçÐo do produto para que se possa avaliar a sua eficiência no controle de fungos potencialmente aflatoxigênicos.