Seweta Srivastava

GREEN MANURING: A BOON FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE AND PEST MANAGEMENT – A REVIEW

Production of quality food-grains in sufficient quantity for ever growing population without damaging the soil quality, fertility and productivity is a one of the major challenges in the present agriculture scenario. The use of agrochemicals to enhance the agriculture production and to manage the agricultural pests is a common practice throughout the world. Now-a-days many farmers use these agrochemicals and pesticides in non-judicious manner leading to the loss of soil fertility and productivity and the negative impact on human health. The use of green manuring is the ray of hope in this context. The diverse green manure crops are present around the globe, which contribute to the soil nutrition dynamics and restore the soil health. Now, it is evident that green manure crops not only improve the soil health and fertility but it also helps to manage the agriculture pests. The past and recent research activities along their results on these aspects have were reviewed here under so that thus may he helper to scientists working on various aspects of green manures and hence reviewed here under.

Effect of Temperature on Production of Endoglucanase and Xylanase from Some Green Manure Fungal Decomposers

Among the various microorganisms reported for their capabilities of cellulases and xylanases production, fungi are the most potent producers. This study reports the production of xylanolytic and cellulolytic enzymes by potential decomposing fungal isolates using a cheap medium containing green manure substrate and chemically defined basal medium under solid-state culture. A number of decomposing fungi were screened for cellulolytic and xylanolytic potential. The enzyme production with purified carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) and birch wood xylan was studied and found to be promising. Aspergillus niger produced the highest amount of endoglucanase and xylanase viz., 3.635 U mg -1 protein min -1 and 2498.20 U mg -1 protein min -1 , respectively at 25°C. Growth and enzyme production was affected by the alterations in temperature. Highest production of endoglucanse and xylanase were noted at 25°C and 30°C.