Development of lignocellulolytic microbial consortium for the production of organic manures from agricultural wastes

Manju Lekshmi, N and Ratheesh Kumar, R and Purushothaman, C S and Parik, Priti and Sandeep, K P and Pandey, P K and Sreekanth, G B and Singh, N P (2014) Development of lignocellulolytic microbial consortium for the production of organic manures from agricultural wastes. Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, 2. 324 -328. ISSN 2321-340X

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Abstract

: Organic farming systems are emerging in India. Indian Government declared states like Sikkim as an organic state and Kerala Government declared Kasargod as an organic district. But the farmers are in dilemma that they are not getting chemical fertilizers as well as there is an insufficiency in supply of organic manures. Therefore, the farmers are in search of an alternate technology for the production of organic manures from agricultural wastes. Lignocelluloses are structural recalcitrant organic matter; its utilization could allow self-sustained production in agriculture. The huge amount of lignocellulolytic waste materials generated in agriculture can be efficiently utilized through proper decomposition. Cost effective organic manure which can be sourced from agricultural waste will help the farmers in producing crops, economically and environmentally sustainable. Bacterial consortium is more effective in treating the waste with varying composition. The present study aims at the conversion of agricultural wastes into organic manures through bacterial consortium capable of decomposing the lignocellulosic waste. Different microbes were isolated from waste materials. Efficient Cellulose and Xylan degrading isolates mainly of Bacillus genera were determined by the BLAST search, based on a high sequence similarity. DNSA method was used for estimating the reducing sugars. Further, the characterization and isolation of novel enzymes capable of breakdown of cellulose and other plant material could be achieved. The most abundant microbes isolated from the lignocellulose wastes are the Bacillus group. More number of isolates which have the efficiency to degrade lignin and cellulose was sourced from mangrove peat. The lignocellulose in mangrove detritus can be degraded by certain fungi and bacteria, but the form is indigestible by most animals. This may be the reason for getting higher number of lignocellulose degrading isolates from mangrove peat. The study will follow the development of an efficient in-vitro decomposition process through microbes with a view to convert the biomass to organic manure to mitigate the ill-effects of chemical fertilizers. Further knock out experiments has to be carried out to unravel the consortium dynamics along with isolate compatibility studies.

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