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Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat

Assam Agricultural University is the first institution of its kind in the whole of North-Eastern Region of India. The main goal of this institution is to produce globally competitive human resources in farm sectorand to carry out research in both conventional and frontier areas for production optimization as well as to disseminate the generated technologies as public good for benefitting the food growers/produces and traders involved in the sector while emphasizing on sustainability, equity and overall food security at household level. Genesis of AAU - The embryo of the agricultural research in the state of Assam was formed as early as 1897 with the establishment of the Upper Shillong Experimental Farm (now in Meghalaya) just after about a decade of creation of the agricultural department in 1882. However, the seeds of agricultural research in today’s Assam were sown in the dawn of the twentieth century with the establishment of two Rice Experimental Stations, one at Karimganj in Barak valley in 1913 and the other at Titabor in Brahmaputra valley in 1923. Subsequent to these research stations, a number of research stations were established to conduct research on important crops, more specifically, jute, pulses, oilseeds etc. The Assam Agricultural University was established on April 1, 1969 under The Assam Agricultural University Act, 1968’ with the mandate of imparting farm education, conduct research in agriculture and allied sciences and to effectively disseminate technologies so generated. Before establishment of the University, there were altogether 17 research schemes/projects in the state under the Department of Agriculture. By July 1973, all the research projects and 10 experimental farms were transferred by the Government of Assam to the AAU which already inherited the College of Agriculture and its farm at Barbheta, Jorhat and College of Veterinary Sciences at Khanapara, Guwahati. Subsequently, College of Community Science at Jorhat (1969), College of Fisheries at Raha (1988), Biswanath College of Agriculture at Biswanath Chariali (1988) and Lakhimpur College of Veterinary Science at Joyhing, North Lakhimpur (1988) were established. Presently, the University has three more colleges under its jurisdiction, viz., Sarat Chandra Singha College of Agriculture, Chapar, College of Horticulture, Nalbari & College of Sericulture, Titabar. Similarly, few more regional research stations at Shillongani, Diphu, Gossaigaon, Lakhimpur; and commodity research stations at Kahikuchi, Buralikson, Tinsukia, Kharua, Burnihat and Mandira were added to generate location and crop specific agricultural production packages.

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20211
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Subject: Agricultural Biotechnology × Author: Dullah, Samim × End date: 2021 × Start date: 2021 × Type: Thesis ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Morphogenetic, Metabolic and Molecular Dynamics during Mycelial Interactions among Fungal species
    (AAU, Jorhat, 2021) Dullah, Samim; Boro, Robin Chandra
    In nature, microorganisms interact/compete with one other for food and space and the type of interactions are unique to each interacting species. Fungal-fungal interactions are complex, and different types of secondary metabolites are secreted during interaction. In this study, 14 fungal isolates were facilitated in 105 possible combinations to interact in potato dextrose agar (PDA). Ten interactions between different fungal isolates showed mutual replacement with each fungus; capturing territory from the other. Thirty-five interactions showed complete replacement as growth of one of the fungal partners was inhibited. In forty-six interactions, formation of barrage was observed leading to deadlock type of interaction wherein both fungi have restricted growth. The barrage formation during interaction was further studied with two fungal interactions viz., (i) T. coccinea vs. L. lactinea and (ii) T. coccinea vs. T. versicolor. Microscopic changes were observed in the hyphal growth during interaction like hyphal coiling, dense mycelial network, pore formation. Fungal-fungal interaction often leads to the change in metabolite profile of both the interacting fungus which may have potential implication in industry or agriculture. The metabolites produced during interaction of Trametes coccinea (F3) with Leiotrametes lactinea (F9) and Trametes coccinea (F3) with Trametes versicolor (F1) was analysed through Liquid Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (LC-MS). Most of the metabolites secreted during interaction are associated with defensive response. The bipartite fungal interaction resulted in the production of a dark brown colour pigment – melanin as confirmed by the LC-MS, FTIR and NMR analysis. Moreover, the fungal-fungal interaction also led to increase in the production of laccase, a group of multicopper oxidases involved in detoxification of toxic compounds. Further increased activity of superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion to hydrogen peroxide was also recorded during fungal–fungal interaction. There was significant increase in the activities of hydrolytic enzymes including cellulase, xylanase and chitinase during in vitro fungal-fungal interaction, suggesting the importance of such interactions for commercial enzyme production. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed upregulation of lcc1 (encoding a laccase enzyme) and few other stress related genes of T. versicolor during its hyphal interaction with T. coccinea, suggesting a direct correlation between laccase production and melanin production. The study helped to gain a better understanding on the morpho-physiological, biochemical and gene expression profiles during in vitro fungal-fungal interaction. Such interactions induce the production and secretion of an array of metabolites and enzymes which can be prospected towards biotechnological applications.