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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access In vitro regeneration,Trillium govanianum, Rhizome, Lateral bud, Mini rhizome, Medicinal herb(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-12) SHARMA, PRIYANKA; CHAUHAN, ANJALIABSTRACT Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) belongs to family Caryophyllaceae and is native of the Mediterranean region. It is one of the most popular and commercially important cut flower. The commercial production of carnation is due to its excellent keeping quality, broad range of colors, shapes, size and fragrance, potential to withstand long distance transportation. Presently, in order to obtain excellent quality of cut flower throughout the year, nutrients viz., N P K are supplied through chemical fertilizer. Excessive and indiscriminate use of these chemical fertilizers not only affects soil health and environment but also pose extra debt on farmer’s pocket. Therefore, there is a need to standardize the optimum dose of nutrition by balancing organic and inorganic fertilizers which proves out to be good for soil health and environment. So, the present investigations were undertaken to isolate potential endophytic bacterial isolates from roots of carnation plants and their characterization for efficient plant growth promoting traits. A total of 97 endophytic bacteria were isolated from the root samples of carnation. Out of 97 isolates, 52 isolates were P- solubilizers and siderophore producers and 50 were IAA producers. Finally, from the total only two best endophytic bacterial isolates SR-1 and NH-3 were selected for polyhouse trial, on the basis of P-solubilization, siderophore production, IAA production , growth on nitrogen free media, antagonism against Fusarium oxysporium and Rhizoctonia solani, HCN production and lytic enzyme production and hence characterized morpho-biochemically and by 16S rDNA sequencing. The application of 75% NP +SR-1 and 75% NP + NH-3 not only registered the tremendous increase in all plant parameters but also increased the available NPK in soil. Thus, the endophytic bacterial isolates have enormous potential to act as a multifunctional biofertilizers, biostimulant and bioprotectant for carnation.ThesisItem Open Access DIVERSITY OF ACTINOMYCETES IN THE RHIZOSPHERE OF Arnebia euchroma (Ratanjot): A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED PLANT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) SHARMA, POOJA; DEVI, SUNITAABSTRACT Rhizospheric soil samples were collected from Nako and Chango in Kinnaur and, in Lahaul & Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh to decipher actinomycetes diversity in the rhizosphere of Arnebia euchroma (Ratanjot). Standard Plate Count technique was employed for the isolation of actinomycetes. In total, 33 isolates (15 from Nako, 7 from Chango, 16 from Gue and 5 from Kibber) were obtained. The actinomycetes load was found to be significantly higher at Chango (Log CFU/mL=1.44) followed by Nako (Log CFU/mL=1.40) and Gue (Log CFU/mL=1.38) while the minimum was recorded for Kibber (Log CFU/mL=1.33). Likewise, their significantly higher load was observed on SCA (Log CFU/mL=1.48) followed by AIA (Log CFU/mL=1.41), NA (Log CFU/mL=1.29) and KM (Log CFU/mL=0.88) proving SCA to be the best medium. With respect to their PGP potential, only 45.45 per cent of the total isolates showed phytase and siderophore production while 33.33 per cent showed P- solubilization qualitatively. Significantly higher Psolubilization(53.66 μg mL-1) was shown by NA8 while the minimum (6.44 μg mL-1) was recorded for SCAN1. However, the phytase activity was observed to be significantly higher (134.44 U/ml) for CA7 and minimum (15.33 U/ml) for NA10. Isolates SCAK5 and SCAN1 showed significantly higher (17.24% SU) and lower siderophore (5.46% SU)) production. All isolates exhibited nitrogen fixing ability while 66.66 and 3.03 percent of total isolates showed ammonia and HCN production, respectively. 84.84, 90.90, 96.96, 72.72 and 42.42 percent of the isolates exhibited pectinase, chitinase, cellulase, lipase and protease activities, respectively. Isolates NA6 and CA1 showed significantly higher (6.81 U/mL) and lower (0.42U/mL) chitinase activities, respectively. Maximum cellulase activity (31.21 U/mL) was shown by NA5 while the minimum (24.18 U/mL) was observed for GA6. Isolates NA7 and NA10 showed significantly higher (28.13 U/mL) and lower (1.22 U/mL) protease activities, respectively. Isolates NA6 and GA6 showed significantly higher (48.33U/mL) and lower (1.60 U/mL) pectinase activities, respectively. Only NA5 exhibited maximum lipase activity (2040 IU/mL). Maximum IAA production was shown by NA10 (44.52 µg/ml) while minimum (11.55 µg/ml) by NA3. However, maximum gibberellins production (40.60 µg/ml) was shown by NA7 while the minimum (4.52 µg/ml) was recorded for KMN2. Isolates CA5 and GA2 showed maximum (34.0 µg/ml) and minimum (15.0 µg/ml) cytokinins production, respectively. Eight potential isolates exhibited reasonable antagonism towards Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotium rolfsii and Rhizoctonia solani ranging between 26.20 - 41.4 per cent. Likewise, volatile metabolites released by actinomycetes inhibited their growth ranging between 21.87 - 44.44 per cent. Based on morphological, biochemical and molecular characteristics, two potential isolates i.e. CA7 and NA8 out of 9 were identified as Streptomyces silaceus and Streptomyces rectiviolaceus and were assigned GenBank accession numbers MK836019 and MK836018, respectively. Evaluation of growth regulator’s effect of CA7 and NA8 on root elongation revealed a significant increase in root length of pre-germinated seeds of maize and pea over the control. Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography analysis showed the presence of ββ-dimethylacrylshikonin (0.145 %), Deoxy-shikonin (0.098 %) and Shikonin (0.011%) pigments in the roots ofA. euchroma.ThesisItem Open Access CHARACTERIZATION OF CULTURABLE BACTERIAL ENDOPHYTES OF CHRYSANTHEMUM (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) AND THEIR EFFICACY FOR PLANT GROWTH PROMOTION(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) SHARMA, SHILPA; CHAUHAN, ANJALIABSTRACT Chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelev) belongs to family Asteraceae and is a popular flower crop suitable for both pot culture and bedding purposes. The quality of flowers is greatly influenced by the quantity as well as sources of nutrients. Presently, these nutrients are supplied through chemical fertilizers. The escalating prices of chemical fertilizers and their indiscriminate use has not only adversely affects the soil health and environment but also reduces the productivity of crops. The situation emphasized the need for developing alternate production system that is eco-friendly and is more judicious in maintaining soil health. So, the present investigations were carried out to characterize and evaluate the effects of PGPB isolated from chrysanthemum plant (roots, stem and leaf) samples grown under organic and commercial cultivation. A total of 143 purified isolates were selected on the basis of PGP traits and morphological characterization. From the total, 44 (16 organic and 28 inorganic) isolates were selected on the basis of their efficacy to have maximum plant growth promoting traits like P-solubilization, growth on nitrogen free medium, siderophore, auxin, HCN production and antagonism against Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium oxysporumunderlaboratoryconditions.The genetic diversity based on 16S r DNA sequence analysis and BLASTn search revealed the identity of 44 strains belonging to diverse genera viz.,Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Lysinibacillus, Micrococcus, Streptomyces, Pantoea, Klebsiella, Phyllobacterium, Serratia, Microbacterium, Cellulosimicrobium, Arthrobacter and Staphylococcus. From selected 44 isolates, seven isolates viz. Stenotrophomonas pavanii strain SRO8, Bacillus subtilis strain RDO10, Serratia marcescens strain N2S14, Bacillus subtilis strain N1S25, Serratia nematodiphila strain N1S23, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain N2S6 and Bacillus subtilis strain N2S18 along with consortium of reference strains (Bacillus licheniformis strain KS_5+Bacillus subtilis strain KS_6) were selected for pot trial to study their efficacy for growth and development of chrysanthemum. In the pot trial experiment two best isolates were selected with different levels of NP fertilizers along with two efficient isolates (KS5 and KS6) and used for field trial using two varieties of chrysanthemum viz ‘Ajay’ and ‘Purnima’. The application of 70% RD NP + Bacillus subtilis strain RDO10 and 70% RD NP + Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain N2S6 registered maximum increase in all plant parameters i.e. plant height (cm), number of side shoots per plant, days taken to flowering, number of flowers per plant, flower size (cm), duration of flowering (days) and vase life (days). The inoculation of PGPB has also registered an increase in NPK uptake and available NPK. Thus, the selected bacterial endophytes has good prospects to be used as biofertilizer, biostimulant and bioprotectant for chrysanthemum.ThesisItem Open Access AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON DIVERSITY OF MICROFLORA OF POPULAR FERMENTED FOODS AND BEVERAGES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH AND THEIR CHARACTERIZATION AS PROBIOTICS(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) SOOD, DIKSHA; SHARMA, NIVEDITAABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out to isolate the potential fermenting microorganisms from the traditional fermented foods and beverages of Himachal Pradesh, their identification, antagonistic spectrum, diversity index, beverages t, evaluation of probiotic attributes and development of starter cultures for different fermented foods. Morphological and biochemical characterization of all the bacterial and yeast isolates was done. All the isolates were screened by bit/disc method on the basis of antagonistic spectrum against tested pathogens. 15 bacterial isolates were selected for genotypic identification using 16S rRNA technique and all the isolates belong to lactic acid bacteria family. 3 isolates mainly Lactobacillus koreenis KM10, Lactobacillus suebicus SM3 and Lactobacillus zeae SM5 were selected for evaluating their probiotic potential viz., acid and bile tolerance, auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, hydrophobicity, antioxidant activity and cholesterol lowering property. All the three screened isolates showed high acid tolerance with 93.71 to 99.02% survival rate at pH 3 after 3h of incubation. These three isolates were able to tolerate bile salt concentration of 2% after 4h of incubation with 95.18 to 88.68 % cell survival rates. All three isolates i.e. Lactobacillus koreenis KM10, Lactobacillus suebicus SM3 and Lactobacillus zeae SM5showed good aggregation percentage i.e. greater than 40% after 5h of incubation i.e. 98.6, 99.2 and 99.9 % respectively and strong hydrophobicity was shown towards xylene i.e. >40%. All the isolates showed maximum co-aggregation with Bacillus cereus and minimum with Listeria monocytogens. The maximum antioxidant activity was shown by Lactobacillus koreenis KM10 i.e. 57.91% and minimum was shown by Lactobacillus suebicus SM3 i.e. 46.47% whereas the maximum cholesterol lowering property was shown byLactobacillus koreenisKM10 and minimum was shown by Lactobacillus zeae SM5. The starter cultures of different sizes were prepared and evaluated for retention of microbial colonies and small sized starter culture was found best for the retention of microflora. The phab prepared in the laboratory was compare with the conventional phab and to prove the validity of the starter culture, traditional alcoholic beverage chhang of Lahaul and Spiti is prepared. The fingerprinting of chhang was done using GC-MS and HPLC technique to identify the compounds present in it.ThesisItem Open Access SCREENING OF POTENTIAL LIGNOCELLULOLYTIC FUNGI ISOLATED FROM HIMALAYAN FORESTS AND TO ASSESS THEIR ROLE IN PINE NEEDLE DEGRADATION(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) DIMPLE; SHARMA, NIVEDITAABSTRACT The present study was carried out to isolate lignocellulolytic fungi from the rotten wood of Himachal Pradesh (i.e. Solan, Shimla, Sirmour, Kangra and Chamba), their screening and optimization of laccase, cellulase and xylanase production. Among all the fungal isolates, R4, S5, SH2 and SH5 fungal strain were selected for enzyme production under submerged fermentation. The phenotypic characterization was done for their tentative identification i.e. Trichoderma sp. R4, Trichoderma sp. S5, Trichoderma sp. SH2 and Rhizopus sp. SH5. The molecular identification was done by using ITS 5.8S rRNA technique and S5 was identified as Trichoderma guizhouense |MN17050|. The extracellular hydrolytic enzyme production from these potential identified fungal strain was then subjected to solid state fermentation by optimizing the different environmental parameters i.e. temperature, substrate: moisture ratio, incubation time and pH using pine needles biomass as substrate under classical one factor approach. An enhanced production with laccase (6.45U/g), cellulase (37.20U/g) and xylanase (380 U/g) activity was obtained by Trichoderma sp. R4. Optimization process was then switched over to response surface methodology (RSM) and maximum enzyme production of Trichoderma sp. R4 in RSM with four responses i.e. laccase (6.90U/g), cellulase (37.86U/g), xylanase (398 U/g) and reducing sugar (47.98mg/g) was obtained. Highest production of enzymes activity was observed in pine needles biomass and Trichoderma sp. R4. had been used for further purification process. The culture filterate was subsequently partially purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation at 40% saturation level of laccase, 40% CMCase, 60% FPase, 50% β-glucosidase and 70% xylanase with purification fold of 3.06 (laccase), 2.20 (cellulase) and 1.59 (xylanase) with 82.94, 62.43 and 63.24 % recovery yield respectively. Gel exclusion chromatography was done for purification of hydrolytic enzymes with 5.36, 5.51 and 6.33 purification fold and 45.77, 61.33 and 60.23 % recovery yield for laccase, cellulase and xylanase respectively. The molecular mass of purified laccase (40.0kDa), cellulase – CMCase (45.0kDa), FPase (31.0kDa), β-glucosidase (29.0kDa) and xylanase (65.0kDa) was obtained by using SDS-PAGE. The maximum enzymatic degradation of pine needles was obtained in purified fractions of enzymes of Trichoderma sp. R4 with a release of 76.75 mg/g reducing sugars. The present study strongly proves the success of optimization of different parameters for enhancement in level of enzyme i.e. laccase, cellulase, xylanase and degradation of pine needles with a cost-effective approach of enzyme production using a cheap and abundant pine needle waste as a carbon source.ThesisItem Open Access ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CULTURABLE BACTERIAL ENDOPHYTES FROM ROOT TISSUES OF Rosemarinus officinalis AND DETERMINATION OF THEIR BIOACTIVITIES(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) MINAKSHI; CHAUHAN, ANJALIABSTRACT Medicinal plants are known to harbor distinctive and specific subset of bacterial endophytes that might be due to production of divergent bioactive compounds. There are many reports regarding production of bioactive compounds by these endophytic microorganisms but limited work has been done about plant growth promotion potential of endophytes associated with medicinal plants. Therefore, the present study was aimed to explore the diversity of plant growth promoting root endophytic bacterial communities associated with medicinal plant Rosemarinus officinalis and their characterization for plant growth promoting traits followed by their inoculation efficiency for plant growth promotion of rosemary. A total of ninety eight endorhizospheric bacteria were isolated fromroot samples ofRosemarinus officinaliscollected from two different sites ofKangra, Kullu, Solan and Sirmour valleys of Himachal Pradesh and were subjected to one step screening for phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and ability to fix nitrogen. After preliminary screening, a total of seventy nine isolates were selected for quantitative estimation of P-solubilzation, siderophore production and additional plant growth promoting traits viz. IAA, lytic enzymes production, production of secondary metabolites and antifungal activity. Forty two isolates exhibiting maximum PGP traits were subjected to study genetic diversity among them using 16S rDNA sequencing. In silico analysis grouped these isolates into nine major genera i.e. Bacillus, Pseudomonas being predominant while other were Pseudoxanthomonas, Lysobacter, Kosakonia, Ensifer, Beijerinckia, Oxynema and Serratia, respectively. Sole application of most efficient eleven isolates belonged to different genera (KA7, KU5, KA10, SI12, KU13, KU2, KU14, KA14, KA11, KA2 and KU21) resulted in significant increase in plant parameters of rosemary and soil physico-chemical properties under net house conditions. Isolates Bacillus subtilis strain KU21, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain SI12, Cedecea lapagei strain KU14 produced most significant results under net house conditions and were further evaluated under field conditions. Field studies revealed that conjoint application of Bacillus subtilis strain KU21 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain SI12 increased plant physical, physiological parameters as well as soil physico-chemical properties over uninoculated control. Direct and indirect plant growth promotion by Bacillus subtilis strain KU21 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain SI12 was further confirmed by molecular and chromatographic analysis. Attempts have been made to understand the genetic basis of mineral phosphate solubilization in Bacillus subtilis strain KU21. Cloning and sequencing of gdh gene has paved the way for understanding molecular mechanisms involved in nutrient mobilization of essential nutrient (phosphorus) and its subsequent enhanced uptake by plants, as mediated by endophytes. Phytohormone production by Bacillus subtilis strain KU21 was also evaluated by TLC and HPLC analysis. Indirect plant growth promotion via biocontrol activities against tested fungal pathogens was best for Pseudomaonas aeruginosa SI12 hence characterized for extraction and identification of pyocyanin using HPLC. Overall, present study conclude that, exploring large pool of endophytic communities of medicinal plants appears to be a good strategy for selection of promising strains as PGPR and the potential application of these endophytes in agricultural traits could results in ameliorate plant production and health and in another way may lead to improve soil quality and fertility.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON GENETIC DIVERSITY OF PHOSPHORUS SOLUBILIZING RHIZOBIA OF RAJMASH (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS L.)(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) GAUTAM, SWATI; KAUSHAL, RAJESHABSTRACT The present investigations were conducted to determine the genetic diversity of P-solubilizing rhizobia of rajmash by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA). A total of 50 isolates associated with rajmash were authenticated as Rhizobium spp. on the basis of different authentication tests,viz.congo red test, bromothymol blue test, growth in Hofer’s alkaline broth, ketolactose medium and plant infection test. Out of 50 rhizobial isolates, all were P-solubilizers, sixteen were siderophore producers, nine were HCN producers, eight isolates showed antagonism against Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn and five against Colletotrichum lindemuthianum Sacc. and Mangus. The maximum P-solubilization (295.74 µg/ml) was recorded for isolate KS and maximum IAA production (83.19 µg/ml) was noted for isolate Har4. Maximum siderophoreproduction with zone size of 19mm was recorded with the isolate Shl7 on CAS medium. On the basis of banding pattern generated through ARDRA analysis using restriction enzymes Alu I and Msp I, 19 isolates from agro-climatic zone-II were grouped into seven major phylotypes at 49 per cent similarity level, 15 isolates from agroclimatic zone-III were segregated into five major phylotypes with 49 per cent similarity and 16 isolates from agro-climatic zone-IV were grouped into seven major phylotypes at 57 per cent similarity level. Seed bacterization with 10 selected rhizobia resulted in significant increase in shoot height, root length, plant biomass and number of nodules over uninoculated control. Among 10 sequenced rhizobia, 4 isolates viz. Hab3, BhrB, Tis2 and San1 were identified as Rhizobium nepotum, 3 isolates viz. KAF, Har1 and Kal3 as Rhizobium indigoferae, isolate KS as Rhizobium etli, isolate Har2 as Rhizobium acidisoli and isolate Shl3 as Rhizobium pusense. Seed bacterization with R. etli strain KS+70% P showed considerable effect on increase in shoot height (86 cm), root length (28.30 cm), number of nodules (55.07 no./plant) and available NPK over uninoculated control at flowering stage as well as harvest of the crop.ThesisItem Open Access SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES FROM POTENTIAL PROBIOTIC ISOLATES AND THEIR BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) SHARMA, SHAKSHI; SHARMA, NIVEDITAABSTRACT The present investigation was carried out to synthesize silver nanoparticles using five in-house potential probiotics i.e. Lactobacillus pentosus S6 (KU92122), Lactobacillus plantarum F22 (KT865223), Lactobacillus crustorum F11 (KT865221), Lactobacillus paraplantarum KM1 (KX671558) and Lactobacillus spicheri G2 (JX481912). All the five probiotic isolates were capable of synthesizing silver nanoparticles. The synthesized silver nanoparticles by five probiotic isolates were separately characterize by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and FTIR. The antimicrobial potential of these probiotics synthesized silver nanoparticles was assessed against different bacterial and fungal pathogens. Further the bacteriocin potential of five probiotic isolates was evaluated, out of five, three probiotic isolates i.e. L. pentosus S6, L. crustorum F11 and L. spicheri G2 were selected for the synthesis of silver nanoparticle on the basis of their wider antagonistic potential. These three in-house potential probiotic isolates were then subjected to their purification usingcolumn chromatography to obtain purified bacteriocin, which then was used in the synthesis of nanoparticles. The purity and molecular weight of purified bacteriocin of L. pentosusS6, L. crustorumF11 and L. spicheriG2 was determined by SDS–PAGE. The bacteriocin from three probiotic isolates showed their ability for extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ba AgNP). The characterization of all the three Ba AgNP was carried separately using the following techniques i.e. UV-Vis spectroscopy, SEM, TEM and FTIR which confirms their formation. The antimicrobial efficacy of all the 3 bacteriocin synthesized silver nanoparticles was separately assessed against challenging antimicrobial pathogens. The application of bacteriocin synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ba AgNP) was observed in the preparation of bacteriocin capped silver nanoparticle coated paper, which was then used in the storage of different food items and increased the shelf life of food stored effectively. Further the effect of Ba AgNP was evaluated for biocontrol against P. aphanidermatum causing damping off in tomato under net house conditions. The nematicidal efficacy of the Ba AgNP was screened against root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita. The maximum mortality rate of 90 % was observed for bacteriocin synthesized silver nanoparticles i.e. F11 Ba AGNP. The in-vivo nematicidal efficacy of Ba AgNP was studied in tomato under net house conditions and the number of galls per plant was significantly reduced by Ba AgNPs treatments on tomato roots grown in soil amended with bacteriocin synthesized AgNPs. Thus these synthesized silver nanoparticles hold a great potential to be used in different biotechnological applications.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON IMPROVEMENT OF SYMBIOTIC NITROGEN FIXATION IN Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. UNDER MID HIMALAYAN REGION(UHF,NAUNI, 2019-11) MEENAKSHI; RANA, NEERJAABSTRACT The intensive harvesting of forest resources have led to decreased nitrogen and organic matter content in the forest soils. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is a cheap renewable nitrogen source, essential to the sustainable productivity of afforested sites. Biological nitrogen fixation offers economically and ecologically sound means for reducing the requirement of nitrogenous fertilizer, thereby restoring the degraded ecosystem. The present investigation entitled “Studies on improvement of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth. under mid Himalayan region” was carried out in the Microbiology Laboratory of Department of Basic Sciences during the years 2016-2019. Results of the study revealed that among the 10 different seed sources, Baddi seed source of Himachal Pradesh and FRI seed source from Uttrakhand were found best for pod, seed germination and seedling growth parameters. It is evident from the studies that larger seeds have greater per cent germination than smaller seeds. Non significant variation between pod and seed traits with geographical factors were noticed which indicated non-clinal variation. In total of 66 isolates, 38 from Himachal Pradesh and 28 from Uttrakhand were isolated fromroot nodules of Albizia procera seedlings. On the basis of authentication tests only 38 isolates were confirmed as rhizobia. Among these 38 rhizobial isolates, 29 isolates were Psolubilizers, 27 isolates were siderophore producers and 19 isolates were HCN producers. Among the 21 rhizobial isolates from Himachal Pradesh maximum P-solubilization (263.23µg/ml), siderophore production (106.30%) and IAA (82.75µg/ml) was recorded with rhizobial isolate BA2. Whereas, maximum P-solubilization (261.00µg/ml), siderophore production (108.12%) and IAA (85.52µg/ml) was recorded with rhizobial isolate FA6 from Uttrakhand. Rhizobial isolates BA2 and FA6 also showed high per cent growth inhibition against 6 fungal pathogens. On the basis of plant growth promoting traits and antifungal activities, two isolates BA2 and FA6 were selected and applied as biofertilizers. Both the biofertilizers with 20kg/ha nitrogen significantly increased shoot biomass, root biomass, nodulation status and available N P K content of soil over uninoculated control. These isolates were identified as Rhizobium leguminosarum (BA2) and Rhizobium alamii (FA6). The application of charcoal based bio-inoculant of rhizobial strain FA6+20 kg/ha nitrogen has not only significantly influenced growth characters and nitrogen fixation potential of Albizia procera seedlings but also improved the available N P K content of the soil. Hence, application of charcoal based bioinoculant with rhizobial strain FA6 have enormous potential to be used as biofertilizer for enhanced growth, nodulation status and protection of A.procera seedlings and to sustain soil health.