Kamal Krishna Pal

Haloarchaea Endowed with Phosphorus Solubilization Attribute Implicated in Phosphorus Cycle.

Archaea are unique microorganisms that are present in ecological niches of high temperature, pH and salinity. A total of 157 archaea were obtained from thirteen sediment, water and rhizospheric soil samples collected from Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, India. With an aim to screen phosphate solubilizing archaea, a new medium was designed as Haloarchaea P Solubilization (HPS) medium. The medium supported the growth and P solubilization activity of archaea. Employing the HPS medium, twenty isolates showed the P-solubilization. Phosphate solubilizing archaea were identified as seventeen distinct species of eleven genera namely Haloarcula, Halobacterium, Halococcus, Haloferax, Halolamina, Halosarcina, Halostagnicola, Haloterrigena, Natrialba, Natrinema and Natronoarchaeum. Natrinema sp. strain IARI-WRAB2 was identified as the most efficient P-solubilizer (134.61 mg/L) followed by Halococcus hamelinensis strain IARI-SNS2 (112.56 mg/L). HPLC analysis detected seven different kinds of organic acids, namely: gluconic acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid succinic acid, propionic acid and tartaric acid from the cultures of these isolates. These phosphate solubilizing halophilic archaea may play a role in P nutrition to vegetation growing in these hypersaline soils. This is the first report for these haloarchaea to solubilize considerable amount of P by production of organic acids and lowering of pH.

Influence of Soil and Plant Types on Diversity of Rhizobacteria

Biodiversity is an important ingredient of environmental conservation and is central to agriculture production. Most microbial diversity of the soil ecosystem is confined to the rhizosphere. Rhizodeposition through plant root exudates plays a major role in defining resident microflora, which differs from that in bulk soil. Rhizobacterial diversity is influenced by both plant and soil type. Soil factors, plant root exudates and agricultural management are the factors that determine the community composition within the rhizosphere.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. Strain SB47, an Obligate Extreme Halophile Isolated from a Salt Pan of the Little Rann of Kutch, India.

ABSTRACT Here, we report the 4.46-Mbp draft genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain SB47, an extreme halophile isolated from a salt pan of the Little Rann of Kutch, India. Exploring the genome of this organism will facilitate the understanding and isolation of the gene(s) involved in its extreme osmotolerance.

Draft Genome Sequence of the Extremely Halophilic Bacillus sp. Strain SB49, Isolated from a Salt Crystallizer Pond of the Little Rann of Kutch, India

ABSTRACT Here we report the draft whole-genome sequence (3.72 Mbp) of Bacillus sp. strain SB49, an extremely halophilic bacterium isolated from a salt crystallizer pond of the Little Rann of Kutch in India. Unraveling the genome of this organism will facilitate understanding and isolation of the genes involved in imparting extreme osmotolerance.

Draft Genome Sequence of Salinibacillus aidingensis Strain MSP4, an Obligate Halophilic Bacterium Isolated from a Salt Crystallizer of the Rann of Kutch, India

ABSTRACT We report the 7.42-Mbp draft whole genome sequence of Salinibacillus aidingensis strain MSP4, an obligate halophilic bacterium, isolated from a salt crystallizer of the Rann of Kutch in India. Analysis of the genome of this organism will lead to a better understanding of the genes and metabolic pathways involved in imparting osmotolerance.

Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus sp. Strain NSP2.1, a Nonhalophilic Bacterium Isolated from the Salt Marsh of the Great Rann of Kutch, India

ABSTRACT The 5.52-Mbp draft genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain NSP2.1, a nonhalophilic bacterium isolated from the salt marsh of the Great Rann of Kutch, India, is reported here. An analysis of the genome of this organism will facilitate the understanding of its survival in the salt marsh.

Draft Genome Sequence of a Moderately Halophilic Bacillus megaterium Strain, MSP20.1, Isolated from a Saltern of the Little Rann of Kutch, India

ABSTRACT The 4.37-Mbp draft genome of a moderately halophilic Bacillus megaterium strain, MSP20.1, isolated from a saltern of the Little Rann of Kutch, India, is reported here. To understand the mechanism(s) of moderate halophilism and to isolate the gene(s) involved in osmotolerance and adaptation, the genome of MSP20.1 was sequenced.

Draft Genome Sequence of an Obligate and Moderately Halophilic Bacterium, Thalassobacillus devorans Strain MSP14, the First Draft Genome of the Genus Thalassobacillus.

ABSTRACT We report the 3.93-Mbp first draft genome sequence of a species of the genus Thalassobacillus, Thalassobacillus devorans strain MSP14, a moderate but obligate halophile, isolated from a salt crystallizer of the Little Rann of Kutch, India. Exploring the genome of this organism will facilitate understanding the mechanism(s) of its obligate halophilism.

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria in Crop Protection and Challenges

Plant roots influence the biological, chemical and physical properties of rhizosphere soil. These effects are a consequence of their growth, their activity and exudation of organic compounds from them. There is now considerable scope for the new ideas to be extended to the rhizosphere. The role of soil microorganisms in sustainable productivity has been well construed. During past years, root inhabiting (rhizosphere) bacteria (rhizobacteria) are gaining importance. The beneficial effects of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been variously attributed to their ability in improving the crop production, protection against phytopathogens, soil health and environmental quality. However, there is a need for improvement of potent PGPRs to utilize them ultimately as promising bioinoculants. This review deals with aspects and prospects related to recent developments to evolve strategies and challenges for the better biotechnological exploitation of PGPRs to improve crop protection against phytopathogens in the context of sustainable agriculture.

Application of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Production of Annual Oilseed Crops

Nutrient mining through removal by crops, soil erosion and leaching is a major challenge for sustaining the productivity of oilseeds. Besides external application of fertilisers, a major contribution of nitrogen for legumes is addressed by nitrogen-fixing bio-inoculants. In the scenario of climate change, efforts should also be made to identify climate-resilient microbes to address the issue in the future. Within the constraints of available resources, a large number of plant growth-promoting microorganisms including AM fungi have been identified and found to enhance growth and yield of many oilseed crops. However, effective strains tolerant to abiotic stresses like salinity, high temperature and moisture-deficit stress are scanty. The quality inoculum production of AM fungi and its application in oilseeds have been discussed with consideration of the soil edaphic factors for identifying potential AM fungi and their management for higher oilseed crop yields yet maintaining the agroecosystem sustainability.