Diversity of endophytic phosphate solubilising fungi associated with Pomatocalpa decipiens(Lindl.)J.J.Smith-an endangered orchid in Barbara forest of Odisha,India

Investigations were done to obtain potential phosphate solubilising strains from endophytic mycoflora isolated from the orchid,Pomatocalpa decipiens.928 endophytic phosphate solubilising fungal isolates were obtained from 2400 leaf segments(0.38%recovery)from rare epiphytic orchid Pomatocalpa decipiens present in the Barbara hills of Odisha(India).A number of isolates belonged to different genera such as Paecilomyces,Curvularia,Aspergillus,Cladosporium,Penicillium,Colletotrichum,while others,which were unidentified were classified as mycelia sterilia.Root sampling done from 25 different sites resulted in isolation of 20 endophytic phosphate solubilising fungal isolates from 300 segments(0.1%recovery).Aspergillus,Paecilomyces,Fusarium,Penicillium,and mycelia sterilia were mostly obtained.The qualitative and quantitative assessments of Phosphate(P)solubilisation were performed using TCP and Rock phosphate as P source for those strains.Aspergillus niger(leaf isolate)showed a maximum of 33.2 and 22.7%solubilisation in presence of TCP and Rock phosphate respectively whereas Aspergillus niger(Root isolate)showed a maximum of about 23.9%and 36.2%solubilisation in presence of TCP and Rock phosphate respectively.

Production of Phosphate-Rich Biofertiliser Using Vermicompost and Anaerobic Digestor Sludge—A Case Study

This paper presents the technology and cost effectiveness of production of phosphate rich biofertiliser (called PROM) by bioconversion of phosphate rock ore into soluble phosphates (that are directly assimilable by plants) in presence of an organic manure such as Vermicompost or anaerobic digestor sludge (discharged from biogas manufacturing units) and using a microbial culture of Bacillus megatherium var phosphaticum. PROM has been found to be an excellent, less expensive, substitute to synthetic phosphatic fertilisers such as SSP, MAP and DAP. This is based on real—life field trials. It is also possible to integrate the production of PROM, with biogas generation and the layout of such a more profitable, integrated scheme is also presented in this paper.

Contribution of Biofertiliser (<i>Frateuria auranta</i>) in an Integrated Potassium Management Package on Growth of Apple Banana

Bananas demand high amounts of potassium for optimal growth and productivity, yet deficiencies are widespread amid the low input production strategy of smallholder farmers in Uganda. Of the potassium pool in the soil, 90% - 98% is unavailable for plant uptake. Judicious application of fertilisers is required to alleviate soil fertility problems complemented with manures and biofertilisers in an integrated nutrient management (INM) package. Biofertilisers such as potassium solubilising bacteria (KSB) have potential to solubilise unavailable forms of K in soil to forms that are readily absorbed by the plants. However, the added value of each component in this integrated K management package in apple bananas is not known. Therefore, an experiment was set up to quantify the relative contribution of mineral K, manure and KSB on the growth of apple bananas. Potted tissue culture plantlets of apple banana (cv. Sukali ndiizi) were used. The treatments comprised of a full factorial combination of mineral fertiliser (Muriate of potash, 60% K2O), animal manure and KSB (Frateuria auranta). The manure and muriate of potash were applied to supply a total of 150 kg⋅K⋅ha−. Soil microbiological assays were run to evaluate the contribution of indigenous microbial K solubilising activity in the soil to the experimental INM package. Data on pseudostem height, girth at collar and 30-cm height, leaf length and width at the widest point were collected once a week for 24 weeks. Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Frateuria were present as indigenous KSBs in the soil. The biofertiliser applied as F. auranta solubilised 7.4 mg⋅K⋅l−1 (6.2 mg⋅K⋅kg−1) from soil minerals. The integrated K management package significantly (p < 0.001) increased the above ground biomass and leaf area of potted apple bananas by up to 57.5% compared to no input. The Study recommends an economic analysis study to determine the integrated K management package that would suit the resource constrained smallholder farmers.

Screening of genes of secreting acetic acid from Aspergillus niger H1 to improve phosphate solubilization

A primary cDNA library of Aspergillus niger H1 was constructed using the switching mechanism at the 5′ end of the RNA transcript（SMART） technique. A total of 169 clones exhibited halos when grown on tricalcium phosphate medium, and the H-46 clone displayed a clear halo. The full-length c DNA of the clone H-46 clone was 1 407 bp in length with a complete open reading frame（ORF） of 816 bp, and it encoded a protein that contained 272 amino acids. Multiple alignment analysis revealed a high degree of homology between the ORFs of the H-46 clone and the Bax inhibitor family（BI-1-like） proteins of other fungi. Acetic acid was secreted by Escherichia coli DH5α that express the BI-1-like gene. The level attained was 492.52 mg L^（-1）, which was associated with the release of 0.212 mg m L^（-1） of soluble phosphate at 28 h. These results showed that the heterologous expression of BI-1-like genes in Eschericha coli DH5α increased the secretion of acetic acid by altering the membrane permeability and enhancing the solubility of phosphate（P）.

Effect of varying hydrothermal temperature,time,and sludge pH on sludge solubilisation

In recent years,hydrothermal treatment has been considered as among the most promising option for sludge solubilisation and carbon recovery in terms of sludge management.In this study,the effect of different individual hydrothermal operating conditions like temperature(110-250℃),sludge pH(6-13)and reaction time(0.5-3 h)were varied to understand their influence on sludge solubilisation.The most effective hydrothermal conditions(severity factor of 9.7)were found to be at 200℃,sludge pH of 12 and reaction time of 1 h which solubilised about 1743 mg/g and 131 mg/g of COD and carbohydrates respectively into the aqueous phase.Also,gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)analysis was done that identified the organic compounds in the treated liquid phase to be mainly carboxylic acids,phenols,esters,and their derivatives.Although further studies are required to efficiently separate and recover the different organic compounds present,this work provides more insights for future valorisation of the organic rich hydrothermally treated liquid phase.