Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Identification of novel plant growth enhancers from the natural root microbial habitats |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Mr. Bharat Singh, Maharishi Markandeshwar, Haryana |
Timeline Start Year : | 2022 |
Timeline End Year : | 2025 |
Contact info : | bharatsingh1601@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | The excessive use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture has negatively impacted crop nutritional quality and soil structure, leading to the bioaccumulation of toxic moieties in consumers' bodies. Organic farming offers a promising solution, using whole microbes and associated microbial products from the rhizospheric niche of plant roots as biofertilizers. These commensal microbes include bacteria, fungus (mycorrhiza), nematodes, and protozoa, with the majority of plant beneficiating populations belonging to the group of bacteria and mycorrihizia. While reports of plant growth-promoting effects of whole organisms are available, documentation on the characterization of active key bio-products is limited. The complex lifestyle of mycorrhiza, which relies heavily on plant roots for growth, presents a potential diversity for further characterization. Efforts are needed to identify high-ranked plant beneficiating root and mycorrhiza-associated bacteria and isolate and characterize novel effector bio-molecules. A consortium of 130 carrot root-associated bacteria co-existed with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Rhizophagus irregularis). Initial in vitro tests for plant benefits were conducted, and R. jialingiae was selected as a promising isolate for further studies. In vitro characterization of R. jialingiae for biological properties will be performed, and the total proteome from Rhodococcus jialingiae will be mapped to identify functional proteins. The list of potential effectors of R. jialingiae will be prepared, and selected proteins produced recombinantly and characterized for biological activities to propose suitable applications in the agricultural sector. |
Total Budget (INR): | 39,40,332 |
Organizations involved