Thumbnail Image

Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur

The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established on 12th June 1964 at Hyderabad. The University was formally inaugurated on 20th March 1965 by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India. Another significant milestone was the inauguration of the building programme of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi,the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India on 23rd June 1966. The University was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on 7th November 1996 in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga, who rendered remarkable selfless service for the cause of farmers and is regarded as an outstanding educationist, kisan leader and freedom fighter. HISTORICAL MILESTONE Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) was established under the name of Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) on the 12th of June 1964 through the APAU Act 1963. Later, it was renamed as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University on the 7th of November, 1996 in honour and memory of the noted Parliamentarian and Kisan Leader, Acharya N. G. Ranga. At the verge of completion of Golden Jubilee Year of the ANGRAU, it has given birth to a new State Agricultural University namely Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University with the bifurcation of the state of Andhra Pradesh as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014. The ANGRAU at LAM, Guntur is serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication. Genesis of ANGRAU in service of the farmers 1926: The Royal Commission emphasized the need for a strong research base for agricultural development in the country... 1949: The Radhakrishnan Commission (1949) on University Education led to the establishment of Rural Universities for the overall development of agriculture and rural life in the country... 1955: First Joint Indo-American Team studied the status and future needs of agricultural education in the country... 1960: Second Joint Indo-American Team (1960) headed by Dr. M. S. Randhawa, the then Vice-President of Indian Council of Agricultural Research recommended specifically the establishment of Farm Universities and spelt out the basic objectives of these Universities as Institutional Autonomy, inclusion of Agriculture, Veterinary / Animal Husbandry and Home Science, Integration of Teaching, Research and Extension... 1963: The Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) Act enacted... June 12th 1964: Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University (APAU) was established at Hyderabad with Shri. O. Pulla Reddi, I.C.S. (Retired) was the first founder Vice-Chancellor of the University... June 1964: Re-affilitation of Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Science, Hyderabad (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Osmania University), Agricultural College, Bapatla (estt. in 1945, affiliated to Andhra University), Sri Venkateswara Agricultural College, Tirupati and Andhra Veterinary College, Tirupati (estt. in 1961, affiliated to Sri Venkateswara University)... 20th March 1965: Formal inauguration of APAU by Late Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India... 1964-66: The report of the Second National Education Commission headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, Chairman of the University Grants Commission stressed the need for establishing at least one Agricultural University in each Indian State... 23, June 1966: Inauguration of the Administrative building of the university by Late Smt. Indira Gandhi, the then Hon`ble Prime Minister of India... July, 1966: Transfer of 41 Agricultural Research Stations, functioning under the Department of Agriculture... May, 1967: Transfer of Four Research Stations of the Animal Husbandry Department... 7th November 1996: Renaming of University as Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University in honour and memory of an outstanding parliamentarian Acharya Nayukulu Gogineni Ranga... 15th July 2005: Establishment of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) bifurcating ANGRAU by Act 18 of 2005... 26th June 2007: Establishment of Andhra Pradesh Horticultural University (APHU) bifurcating ANGRAU by the Act 30 of 2007... 2nd June 2014 As per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act 2014, ANGRAU is now... serving the students and the farmers of 13 districts of new State of Andhra Pradesh with renewed interest and dedication...

News

https://angrau.ac.in/ANGRU/Library_Resources.aspx

Browse

2017 - 20199
Reset filters
Subject: Agricultural Microbiology × End date: 2019 × Start date: 2017 × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
Reset filters

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    DEVELOPMENT OF EFFICIENT MICROBIAL INOCULANTS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LOW ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE FROM TOMATO
    (Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) SIVA BHARATHI, BOLLAM; LAKSHMIPATHY, R
    Tomato is consumed as one of the staple vegetable but it goes waste when it is produced in excess. This excess quantity can be better utilized and enhance the demand through value addition by utilizing microorganisms. There are reports of utilizing yeast, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria for the processing of fruits and vegetables. Hence, in this study an attempt was made to isolate yeast, lactic acid and acetic acid bacteria from different natural sources and utilize them for processing of tomato. There were 10 yeast, 7 lactic acid bacteria and 6 acetic acid bacteria isolated. These isolates were screened to select efficient isolates suitable for producing low alcoholic beverage from tomato juice. The yeast isolate AY (4.23 %) which produced lowest alcohol and more total phenolic content (19.43 mg/100 ml), the lactic acid bacterial isolate CL1 (5.63 %) which produced higher amount of lactic acid and titrable acidity (0.82 %) and the acetic acid bacterial isolate BA (4.26 %) which produced higher amount of acetic acid, titrable acidity (0.83 %), lycopene content (0.43 mg/100 ml), vitamin C (4.56 mg/100 ml) and total phenols (17.26 mg/100 ml) were selected for producing low alcoholic beverage. The tomato juice was fermented with the above three isolates at different combinations to produce low alcoholic beverage. Higher pH (3.95) and alcohol content (4.23 %) of the fermented juice was recorded in treatment T1 (Tomato juice+ AY) and the higher TSS (6.55o brix), lycopene content (0.52 mg/100 ml), total phenols (18.26 mg/100 ml), acetic acid (4.23 %) and titrable acidity (0.86 %) was observed in treatment T3 (Tomato juice+ AY+ BA). The higher total sugars (7.57 mg/100 ml) and non reducing sugars (6.02 mg/100 ml) were observed in treatment T4 (Tomato juice+ AY+ CL1+ BA). The higher vitamin C content (6.45 mg/100 ml), lactic acid (4.76 %) were recorded in treatment T2 (Tomato juice+ AY+ CL1) and the organoleptic score was maximum (4.7/5.0) in the treatment T2 (Tomato juice+ AY+ CL1). xvi It was not possible to produce beverage with alcohol content below 1.0 per cent with the earlier protocol, hence another protocol was developed where first tomato juice was fermented for 24 hours, then pasteurised and inoculated with efficient lactic and acetic bacterial isolates at different combinations. In this method treatment T3 (Fermented Juice + BA) showed most desirable results with low alcohol content (1.14 %), higher total phenols (19.33 mg/100 ml), vitamin C content (6.88 mg/100 ml), acetic acid (4.26 %) and maximum organoleptic score (4.7/5.0). The above results clearly showed that by re-fermenting the pasteurized 24 hr yeast fermented tomato juice with acetic acid bacterial isolate (BA) for 6 days can produce a functional beverage from tomato which has low alcohol content with high nutritional values and good organoleptic properties.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemUnknown
    SELECTION OF AN EFFICIENT AM FUNGI AND STANDARDIZING THE METHOD OF APPLICATION FOR RICE
    (Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) ASHOK MOURYA, M; LAKSHMIPATHY, R
    A pot experiment was conducted to select an efficient AMF for inoculating rice crop from 10 AMF isolates obtained from the rice rhizosphere soil of different agroclimatic zones of Andhra Pradesh. In this study highest plant height (95.80 cm), number of leaves/hill (97.00), tillers and productive tillers per hill (31.67 and 12.00 respectively), shoot and root biomass (15.75 g/hill and 6.30 g/hill respectively), test weight and grain yield (18.26 g and 4520.57 kg ha-1 respectively), N, P, K concentration in straw (0.487%, 0.157% and 1.800% respectively), N, P, K concentration in grain (0.707%, 0.210% and 0.303% respectively), N, P, K uptake in straw (25.30 kg ha-1, 7.96 kg ha-1 and 93.60 kg ha-1 respectively), N, P, K uptake in grain (32.60 kg ha-1, 10.10 kg ha-1 and 13.70 kg ha-1 respectively), available N, P, K (144.54 kg h-1, 32.31 kg ha-1 and 269.61 kg ha-1 respectively), dehydrogenase activity (89.13 µg TPF g-1 soil d-1), acid phosphatase activity (44.23 µg pNP g-1 soil h-1) and alkaline phosphatase activity (67.81 µg pNP g-1 of soil h-1), urease activity (41.50 μg NH4+ g-1 soil h-1), peoxidase activity (45.58 GU g-1 f wt), bacterial population (9.05 × 107 CFU g-1), fungal population (3.10 × 104 CFU g-1), AMF spore load (31.33 spores per 10 g soil), per cent root colonization (47.51%) were highest in the treatments inoculated with Isolate 28 (T8). Based on the above findings Isolate 28 was found efficient among 10 isolates used. The method of application of this isolate was standardized in the second pot experiment. Plant height was highest (116.01cm), number of leaves per hill (149.80), tillers and productive tillers per hill (29.20 and 15.60 respectively), shoot and root biomass (22.33 g/hill and 8.99 g/hill respectively), test weight and grain yield (25.44 g and 6406.90 kg ha-1 respectively), N, P, K uptake in concentration in straw (0.612%, 0.254% and 2.380% respectively), N, P, K concentration in grain (1.224%, 0.260% and 0.488% respectively), N, P, K uptake in straw (45.08 kg ha-1, 18.72 kg ha-1 and 153.24 kg ha-1 respectively), highest N, P, K uptake in grain (78.42 kg ha-1, 16.65 kg ha-1 and xviii 31.26 kg ha-1 respectively),available N, P, K (219.02 kg h-1, 56.32 kg ha-1 and 336.72 kg ha-1 respectively), dehydrogenase activity (121.80 µg TPF g-1 soil day-1), acid phosphatase activity (84.95 µg pNP g-1 soil h-1), alkaline phosphatase activity (94.62 µg pNP g-1 of soil h-1), urease activity (92.94 μg NH4+ g-1 soil h-1), peroxidase activity (66.13 GU g-1 f wt), microbial population of root zone soil, AMF spore load (38.00 spores per 10 g soil) and AMF per cent root colonization (56.60%) was highest in T5 (AMF applied at nursery + Azospirillum, PSB and KRB applied during transplanting). This study clearly showed that isolate 28 (T8) was found efficient as it enhanced the growth and yield, soil microbial population, soil enzymes activity and AMF activity. Hence AMF Isolate 28 can be better utilized along with N, P, K biofertilizers to enhance the growth and yield of rice and AMF should be applied to the nursery.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemUnknown
    INFLUENCE OF PINK PIGMENTED FACULTATIVE METHYLOTROPHIC (PPFM) BACTERIA AND Pseudomonas flourescens ON BLACKGRAM (Vigna mungo L.) UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS
    (Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) NAGENDRA, DANGETI; VIJAYA GOPAL, A
    Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophic bacteria (PPFM) can enhance plant growth under drought conditions by production of exopolysaccharides and ACC deaminase enzyme activity. In the present study 24 PPFMs were isolated from rhizosphere soils and phyllosphere samples from rice, cotton, maize, redgram, greengram and blackgram crop areas and were tested for biochemical characteristics. Out of 24 isolates, all the isolates were positive for oxidase, catalase, starch hydrolysis, citrate utilization, Thirteen isolates were positive for urease and indole production test and none of the isolates shown positive for casein and voge’s proskauer test. These isolates were further characterized for PGPR activities like phosphate solubilization, IAA production, HCN production and siderophore production. Among 24 isolates, three isolates KNPP (433.33%), KKBL(371.42 %) and GRBS(262.5 %) were shown highest for phosphate solubilization. Two isolates KNPP (++) and GRBS (++) were shown strongest IAA production. Three isolates KNPP (+++), KKN (+++) and KNN(+++) were shown strongest production for siderophores. All the 24 isolates were screened for antagonistic effect against Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium oxysporum isolate KNPP shown highest Zone of inhibition (ZOI) (11.1mm) and (19.1mm) All the 24 isolates were tested for drought tolerance activity among these isolates KNPP (61.7mg), GRBP (57.6mg) and GRCF1 (54.1mg) shown high exopolysaccharide production. Two isolates KNPP (+++), GRBS (+++) shown strong response to ACC deaminase activity. For PEG 6000 test at 20% concentration three isolates GRBS (0.02 OD), KNPP and EKAF3 (0.01 OD) were considered efficient. xvii Pot experiment was conducted for evaluating the effect of KNPP isolate and Pseudomonas flourescens on growth and yield of blackgram under drought conditions. Results revealed that all microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria) and PPFM population were found highest in T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) and P.flourescens population was found highest in T6 (PPFM+ Seed treatment + P.flourescens) at flowering stage of blackgram. pH was highest in T10 (KNPP+Soil application+25 % ASM+P.flourescens) and gradually decreased in the inoculated treatments. EC was highest in T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) at flowering stage of blackgram. Organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents of the soil was highest in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P. flourescens) 1.43 %, 218.35, 61.31 and 268.58 kg ha-1 of soil respectively at flowering stage of blackgram. Dehydrogenase, phosphatases both acidic and alkaline and urease enzyme activity were significantly higher at flowering stage in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P. flourescens) 82.25 μg of TPF g-1 of soil d-1, 35.65, 54.90 μg pNP g-1 of soil h-1 and 85.27 μg NH4+ g-1 of soil h-1 respectively. The plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, test weight, seed yield(kg ha-1), seed yield (g/pot) was significantly highest in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) 34.87 cm, 13, 39, 25, 5, 5.05g, 2200(kg ha-1), 15.94g respectively. N, P, K content of blackgram seed and stover were also found highest in the treatment T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P.flourescens) 3.24 %, 0.25 % and 1.41 % respectively in seed and 1.26 %, 0.34 % and 1.96 % respectively in stover. The results of this study clearly showed that combined application of KNPP and P. flourescens in T9 (KNPP+ phyllosphere spray+75 % ASM+ P. flourescens) significantly improved the microbial population, available NPK in soil, soil enzyme activities growth and yield of blackgram in receding soil moisture conditions compared to control . Hence these isolates can be developed into effective biofertilizers either singly or in combination with other efficient biofertilizers as these are cost effective and eco-friendly in nature.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemUnknown
    ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Paenibacillus spp. AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L.)
    (Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Guntur, 2019) PRASANNA LAKSHMI, P; VIJAYA GOPAL, A
    The present study ISOLATION AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF Paenibacillus spp. AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF SORGHUM (Sorghum bicolor L.) was conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Amaravathi and Advanced Post Graduate Centre, Lam, ANGRAU, Guntur. The continuous use of higher levels of chemical fertilizers by the farmers has led to the problem of soil degradation, which is proving detrimental to crop production in our country. The best alternate strategy is to utilize microorganisms as biofertlizers. Therefore, biological nitrogen fixation can effectively contribute to the nitrogen content. Several Paenibacillus strains that were able to fix nitrogen from atmosphere were isolated from roots of different plants and shrubs. Species of the genus Paenibacillus, are promising candidates for crop inoculation which plays an important role by their nitrogen-fixing ability, capacity to solubilization of soil phosphorus, increase soil porosity, suppress plant pathogens and promote plant growth through the production of phytohormones (auxins and cytokinins) and antimicrobial substances. N2-fixing Paenibacillus species have increasingly been used in non legume crop species such as sugar beet, canola, wheat, and conifer species. Twenty eight Paenibacillus isolates were isolated from twenty seven rhizosphere soil samples of sorghum collected from different parts of Andhra Pradesh i.e., from Kurnool, Prakasam, Anantapur and Kadapa districts. All the 28 isolates were able to withstand heat treatment and grow on N- free media. All the isolates were characterized by their cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Microscopy revealed that all the isolates were Gram positive, endospore forming rods. Further, all the Paenibacillus isolates were screened for plant growth promoting attributes. xix Results revealed that all the isolates showed negative result for HCN production, 26 isolates showed positive result for ammonia production, 15 isolates showed positive result for IAA production, 13 isolates showed to produce siderophores, 20 isolates showed phosphate solubilization and 20 isolates showed positive result for Acetylene Reduction Assay (ARA). The twenty Paenibacillus isolates that showed nitrogenase enzyme activity in ARA technique were further taken for molecular characterization of nifH genes (nitrogenase genes) for the detection nitrogen fixing ability. The nifH gene was observed in 4 isolates (PiPP-1, ARP-1, PNP-3 and PMP-1) at 360 bp similar to 2 reference strains. Among twenty isolates of Paenibacillus three efficient isolates were selected based on their PGPR characteristics i.e., isolates with nifH gene and high nitrogenase enzyme activity (PiPP-1, ARP-1 and PNP-3). Field experiment was conducted for evaluating the effect of Paenibacillus spp on growth and yield of sorghum. Results revealed that all microbial population (bacteria, fungi and actinobacteria) and Paenibacillus population were found highest in T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) at flowering stage of sorghum. pH was highest T13 (100 % RDF) and T1 (control) and gradually decreased in the Paenibacillus consortia inoculated treatments. EC was highest in T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) in the Paenibacillus consortia inoculated treatments and gradually decreased in inorganic fertilizer alone applied treatments and in control. Organic carbon, available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium contents of the soil was highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 1.66 %, 265.45, 63.49 and 415.36 kg ha-1 of soil respectively at flowering stage of sorghum crop. Dehydrogenase, phosphatases both acidic and alkaline and urease enzyme activity were significantly higher at flowering stage in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 118.59 μg of TPF g-1 of soil d-1, 69.19, 97.73 μg pNP g-1 of soil h-1 and 147.17 μg NH4+ g-1 of soil h-1 respectively. The plant height, length, weight and the number of seeds per ear head, test weight, shoot and root biomass were significantly highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 183.93 cm, 32.73 cm, 67.72 g, 2236.00, 2.46 g, 73.62 g and 10.18 g respectively. N, P, K content of sorghum grain and stover were also found highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 1.20 %, 0.64 % and 0.47 % respectively in grain and 0.96 %, 0.43 % and 1.56 % respectively in stover. The grain and stover yield of sorghum crop was significantly highest in the treatment T8 (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) 43.51 q ha-1 and 66.59 q ha-1 respectively which were 25.94 % and 12.79 % higher when compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers (100 % RDF) alone. The results of this study clearly showed that combined application of Paenibacillus consortia and inorganic fertilizers (PB1 + PB2 + PB3 + 75 % RDN) significantly improved the microbial population, available NPK in soil, soil enzyme activities and growth and yield of sorghum crop when compared to the application of inorganic fertilizers (100 % RDF) alone. Hence these isolates can be developed into effective biofertilizers either singly or in combination with other efficient biofertilizers as these are cost effective and eco-friendly in nature.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemUnknown
    IMPACT OF DIFFERENT RICE FARMING SYSTEMS ON DIVERSITY OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL (AM) FUNGI
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) SAIKUMAR, PUDI; LAKSHMIPATHY, R
    Study on “Impact of different rice farming systems on diversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi” was conducted at Agricultural research station, Amaravathi, Guntur during Kharif 2017-2018 by collecting the rhizosphere soil samples and root samples from selected agro climatic zones of Andhra Pradesh. The present study was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of AMF in different rice farming systems of selected agro climatic zones in Andhra Pradesh during different cropping stages of rice. A critical bench marks have been fixed in rice farming systems viz., intensive farming, natural farming and organic farming systems of North Coastal, Godavari, Krishna and Southern Zones to collect the rhizosphere soil samples and plant roots. These rhizosphere soil samples and plant roots were used for the enumeration of AMF spore density, per cent root colonization and spore types. The AMF spores density among different farming systems selected, it was more in soils collected from natural farming and least in case of intensive farming. The AMF spores density was highest in case of soil samples collected from paddy fields of Godavari zone and least in case of Southern Zone of Andhra Pradesh. The AMF per cent root colonization was more in case of root samples collected from paddy fields of Krishna Zone and least in case of Southern Zone. The AMF per cent root colonization among different rice farming systems selected, AMF percent root colonization was more in natural farming and least in case of intensive farming. Seventy one AMF spore types obtained from different rice farming systems of selected 4 agro climatic zones of Andhra Pradesh during 3 cropping stages rice were characterized based on spore morphology and they belong to 23 AMF species. Eleven AMF species from North Coastal Zone, 10 AMF species from Godavari Zone, 12 AMF species from Krishna Zone and 14 AMF species from Southern Zone were noticed. Regarding the frequency of distribution, Glomus fasciculatum was distributed more frequently in intensive farming system. While, in natural farming system Acaulospora morrowae was more frequently distributed. In organic farming system Acaulospora lacunosa was more frequently distributed. The genus Glomus was distributed more frequently than the genus Acaulospora. Shannon-Wiener diversity index of AM fungi was determined and it was more in organic farming system than other farming systems. Regarding agro climatic zones, AMF diversity was more in Krishna zone than other 3 zones. AMF diversity was more during grand growth stage compared to initial and harvesting stage. This study clearly showed a variation in physico-chemical and biochemical properties of soil, AMF activity and diversity of rhizosphere soils of different farming systems of selected agro climatic zones during 3 cropping stages of rice cultivation.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    ISOLATION AND SCREENING OF DROUGHT AND SALINE TOLERANT RHIZOSPHERIC PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING BACTERIA FROM SALINE SOILS AND THEIR EFFECT ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF GROUND NUT (Arachis hypogaea L.)
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2018) NARENDRA REDDY, A; VIJAYA GOPAL, A
    Stress tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can enhance plant growth under stress conditions by production of exopolysaccharides and ACC deaminase enzyme activity. In the present study 48 stress tolerant PGPR were isolated from rhizospheric soil of saline effected areas and were tested for different plant growth promoting activities. Out of 48 isolates, 15 were Rhizobium, 15 Pseudomonas, 10 sulphur oxidizing bacteria (SOB) and 8 potassium releasing bacteria (KRB). Out of these 48, one efficient isolate was selected from each group i.e., Rhizobium (BRR3), Pseudomonas (VKP2), potassium releasing bacteria (AKK2) and sulphur oxidizing bacteria (NJS2) for further studies. These four isolates contain high ACC deaminase activity [BRR3 (+++), VKP2 (+++), AKK2 (+++), NJS2 (++)] and high exopolysaccharide production BRR3 36.2 mg ml-1, VKP2 30.2 mg ml-1, AKK2 21.6 mg ml-1, NJS2 24.6 mg ml-1. All the isolates were positive for the production of siderophore, IAA, ammonia and phosphate solubilization. These selected strains were tested in soil to assess their effectiveness against stress tolerance to improve the growth of groundnut under moisture stress conditions in saline soils. Pot culture experiment was conducted with groundnut crop at different water holding capacities (25 %, 50 % and 75 % WHC). The results revealed that reduction in soil moisture levels significantly reduced the growth of groundnut. However, inoculation of groundnut with stress tolerant rhizobacteria isolated from saline effected areas containing ACC deaminase and exopolysaccharide production ability significantly increased stress tolerance and enhanced the growth and yields of groundnut. These stress tolerant PGPR improved the growth parameters like plant height (35.50 cm), number of nodules per plant (69), number of pods per plant (11.0), number of seeds per pod (1.8) and also seed yield (1415.7 kg ha-1) compared to control without inoculation. 20 Application of stress tolerant bacteria significantly enhanced the activity of soil enzymes like dehydrogenase (226.50 μg of TPF g-1 of soil d-1), phosphatase (alkaline 140.23 μg pNP g-1 h-1, acidic 125.0 μg pNP g-1 h-1) and urease (119.03 μg urea g-1 h-1), highest enzyme activity observed at flowering stage of groundnut when all the PGPRs applied in combinations. Other Physico-chemical properties of soil like pH (7.90), EC (3.27 dSm-1), organic carbon (0.77 %), nitrogen (398.18 kg ha-1), phosphorous (96.99 kg ha-1), potassium (436.73 kg ha-1) and N, P, K content of plant (1.71, 0.63 and 1.81 % respectively) also improved at flowering stage of groundnut. In addition to this proline content of plant was increased under stress conditions i.e., at 25 % WHC, it was recorded as 66.97 μ moles g-1. Finally, from these results it is concluded that combined application of stress tolerant PGPRs significantly increased the growth and yield of groundnut by 38.63 %. 33.89 % and 26.26 % at 75 %, 50 % and 25 % moisture levels respectively compared to control.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    EFFECT OF PHOSPHATE SOLUBILIZING BACTERIA ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF FINGER MILLET
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) SAISREE, CHALLA; VIJAYA GOPAL, A
    Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) plays an important role in dissolving both of fertilizer phosphorus (P) and bound P in the soil that is environmental friendly and sustainable. Phosphate solubilization is mainly through the reaction between organic acids excreted with phosphate binders such as Al, Fe, and Ca, or Mg to form stable organic chelates to free the bound phosphate ion. Phosphorus deficiency is widespread and phosphorus fertilizers are required to maintain crop production. Reductions in the supply of P fertilizers could severely diminish crop yields. One solution for mitigating the threat of this diminishing resource is to develop sustainable technologies to improve P use efficiently for plant uptake. Since chemical fertilizers are frequently used with finger millet crop, use of PSB, as biofertilizers would help in improving better crop stand and crop yields. Sixteen PSB isolates were isolated from finger millet rhizospheric soils of twelve villages in Andhra Pradesh. All the 16 PSB isolates were able to solubilize phosphate qualitatively and quantitatively. The PSI for 16 PSB isolates were in the range of 6.61 to 2.62 qualitatively and all 16 PSB isolates were able to solubilize phosphate quantitatively in Pikovskaya’s broth containing TCP in the range of 189.5 to 41.3 mg l-1. The isolates were purified and they were culturally, morphologically and biochemically characterized. Biochemical characterization revealed that 9 isolates were positive for Voges Proskauer’s test and motility test, 10 isolates were positive for nitrate reduction and catalase test, 11 isolates were positive for citrate utilization and oxidase test, 8 isolates were positive for starch hydrolysis and methyl red test, 6 isolates were positive for gas and acid production and 13 PSB isolates were positive for indole production. These isolates were screened in vitro for plant growth promoting attributes like phosphate solubilization, siderophore, IAA, ammonia and HCN production. Results revealed that all 16 isolates solubilized phosphorous and 87.5% isolates produced ammonia, 75% isolates produced HCN, 56% isolates produced siderophores and 81% isolates produced IAA. All the isolates were further screened in vitro for antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and found that all isolates inhibited the fungal pathogen and highest inhibition was found with the isolate BKP2 (51.49%). The best 3 efficient PSB strains i.e., PSB1, PSB2 and PSB3 were selected by estimating the phosphorus solubilizing ability of isolates qualitatively as well as quantitatively and by determining the morphological, biochemical and plant growth promoting rhizobacterial properties of isolates. Therefore, the best 3 PSB strains were identified as Pseudomonas sp. (isolate name, BKP2) Bacillus sp. (isolate name, SSP1) and Enterobacter sp. (isolate name, SBP1). Pot culture experiment was conducted for evaluating the effect of PSB on growth and yield of finger millet. Results revealed that the highest microbial population (Bacteria, PSB, Fungi and Actinobacteria) was recorded at flowering stage compared to other growth stages while microbial population at flowering stage was more in the treatment (T5) with 75% RDP+PSB1+PSB2+PSB3. Root length (23.1 cm), no. of fingers plant-1 (10.0), phosphorus content in plant sample (0.183%), total dry matter (39.4 g plant-1) and yield parameters like grain yield (4031.9 kg ha-1) and straw yield (4691.5 kg ha-1) were recorded highest in the treatment (T5) with 75% RDP+PSB1+PSB2+PSB. The enzyme activities (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, dehydrogenase and urease) and soil physico-chemical properties (pH, EC, available N, P, K and Organic carbon) recorded highest at various stages of crop growth in the treatment (T5) with 75% RDP+PSB1+PSB2+PSB3. The results of this study clearly shows that finger millet growth and yield can be enhanced by inoculating soil with PSB biofertilizer along with recommended dose of FYM and by varying RDF in different treatments. Further, from this study it is also concluded that, soil fertility and soil health can be improved with the inoculation of soil with PSB biofertilizer.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemOpen Access
    INFLUENCE OF BIOFERTILIZER CONSORTIA ON GROWTH AND YIELD OF PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum L.)
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) LASYA MOHANA REKHA, DASARA; LAKSHMIPATHY, R
    A pot experiment was carried out to study the effect of biofertilizer consortia in combinations with recommended dose of FYM and different doses of inorganic fertilizers on growth and yield of pearl millet with an objective of enhancing growth, yield and nutrient uptake in pearl millet and to improve soil health. The significantly more plant height at 50DAS, 75DAS and at the time crop harvesting was recorded in the treatment MC1 + 75% RDF + with recommended dose of FYM and least in case of treatment applied with the consortium MC1 alone. There were no significant differences in number of leaves per plant between different treatments was noticed up to 50DAS however, the highest number of leaves after 75 days of sowing was recorded in treatments T3 (MC1 + FYM) and T11 (MC1 +75% RDF + FYM). The root length (28.833 cm), root weight (3.294 g) and yield parameters like earhead length (20.733 cm), earhead weight (9.987 g), the number of seeds per earhead (1440.00), test weight (0.894 g), seed yield (4807.948 kg ha-1) and straw yield (5977.00 kg ha-1) were significantly more in treatment having biofertilizer consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM and 75 per cent chemical fertilizers. The maximum soil pH at flowering was recorded in treatment applied with biofertilizer consortium MC2 with 50 per cent RDF, MC2 + 75%RDF, 100% RDF and at harvesting, it was observed to be maximum in treatment having inorganic fertilizers alone whereas, higher electrical conductivity and organic carbon at flowering and harvesting were recorded in the treatment having biofertilizer consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM. The highest soil available N, P and K at flowering and harvesting was recorded in the treatment having biofertilizer consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM and 75% chemical fertilizers. The highest dehydrogenase activity at flowering and harvesting was recorded in the treatment having microbial consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM. Acid and alkaline phosphatase activity were observed to be maximum in the treatment having microbial consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM at flowering and acid phosphatase activity was observed to be maximum in the treatment having biofertilizer consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM and 50% chemical fertilizers, alkaline phosphatase activity significantly more in the treatment having biofertilizer consortium MC1 with recommended dose of FYM and 75% chemical fertilizers at the time of crop harvest. NPK uptake by the plants was significantly more in the treatment with MC1 + 75% RDF + FYM. The highest microbial population (Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes, Azospirillum, Azotobacter and PSB) was recorded at flowering compared to other growth stages. Microbial population at flowering and harvesting was more in the treatments having bifertilizer consortium with recommended dose of FYM and chemical fertilizers as compared to application of 100 per cent RDF alone. Among the different stages of crop growth the maximum AM fungal spore count and percent root colonization were at harvesting compared to other stages. Further, the maximum AM fungal spore count and percent root colonization were recorded in the treatment which is inoculated with biofertilizer consortium MC1 along FYM and chemical fertilizers than treatment applied with chemical fertilizers at harvesting. The results of this study clearly shows that pearl millet growth and yield can be enhanced by inoculating soil with biofertilizer consortium MC1 along with recommended dose of FYM and 75 per cent RDF over only with 100 per cent RDF. Further, from this study it is also concluded that, soil fertility and health can be improved with the inoculation of soil with biofertilizer consortium along with recommended dose of FYM.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ThesisItemUnknown
    ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF STRESS TOLERANT PLANT GROWTH PROMOTING RHIZOBACTERIA AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON BLACKGRAM (Vigna mungo L.)
    (Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, 2017) ESWARA RAGHAVA KUMARI, M; VIJAYA GOPAL, A
    Stress tolerant Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) are the rhizosphere bacteria that can enhance plant growth under stress condition by production of ACC deaminase enzymes. In the present study 32 stress tolerant PGPR were isolated from rhizospheric soils of drought prone areas and were tested for different plant growth promoting activities. Out of 32 bacterial strains (8 Rhizobium isolates, 8 pseudomonas isolates, 8 potassium releasing bacterial isolates and 8 zinc solubilizing bacterial isolates) isolated from blackgram soils, four efficient PGPR strains, one each of Rhizobium (KUR1), pseudomonas (KCP1), potassium releasing bacterial (KGK1) isolate and zinc solubilizing bacterial (STZ1) isolate were selected for further studies. These four isolates contain higher ACC deaminase activity KUR1 (+++), KCP1 (+++), KGK1 (+++), STZ1 (+++) and produce higher exopolysaccharide KUR1 (34.6 mg ml-1), KCP1 (30.6 mg ml-1), KGK1 (20.3 mg ml-1), STZ1 (24.6 mg ml-1). All isolates were positive for siderophore production, IAA production and also phosphate solubilization efficiency. All the isolates were further screened in vitro for antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and found that all these isolates inhibited the fungal pathogen and highest inhibition was found with the isolates KUR1 (37.6%), KCP1 (39.53%), KGK1 (36.47%), STZ1 (36.07%). The selected strains were tested in soil to assess their effectiveness against stress tolerance by improving growth of blackgram under water stress conditions. Pot culture experiment was conducted with blackgram crop at different water holding capacity (80%, 60%, 40% and 20%). The results revealed that reduced soil moisture levels significantly decreased the growth of blackgram. However inoculation of blackgram with stress tolerant rhizobacteria containing ACC deaminase, isolated from the soils collected from drought prone areas significantly increased the drought tolerance in blackgram and increases the growth and yields. These stress tolerant PGPR improved the growth parameters like plant height (13.3 cm, 31.6 cm and 39.0 cm at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and75 DAS respectively), Number of branches plant-1 (4.73, 9.60, 11.60 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and75 DAS respectively) and number of leaves plant-1 (13.3, 31.6, 39.0 at 30 DAS, 60 DAS and75 DAS respectively) increases. Number of pods plant-1 (32.3), number of seeds pod-1 (5.0), seed yield (2815.0 kg ha-1), 100 seed weight (4.98 gm) also increases. Other physico chemical properties of soil like pH (7.97), EC (0.98 dSm-1), Organic carbon (0.75%), N (283.40 kg ha-1), P (98.99 kg ha-1), K (324.73 kg ha-1) and enzymes like dehydrogenase (233.4 μg TPF formed g-1 d-1), phosphatase (Acidic 130.00 μg pNP g-1 h-1, Alkaline 148.00 μg pNP g-1 h-1), urease (121.62 ug urea g-1 h-1) also improved at flowering stage of blackgram. Proline content of plant was increases under stress condition. i.e., at 20% WHC, it was recorded as 64.33 μ moles g-1. N (0.55%), P (0.32%), K (2.21%) content of plant samples also increases. These results revealed that combined inoculation of stress tolerant PGPR significantly increased growth and yield of blackgram 42 percent more compared to control under moisture stress conditions.