ARS | Publication request: Diversity and antifungal activity of endophytic diazotrophic bacteria colonizing sugarcane in Egypt

Submitted to: International Society of Sugar Cane Technologists Pathology Workshop
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 2, 2012
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The price of nitrogen continues to increase and is a major input in sugarcane production. Sugarcane grown in Egypt was screened for the presence of nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Nitrogen-free medium LGI-P was used to isolate bacteria from cane stalks. Among the 52 isolates subjected to acetylene reduction assay (ARA) to determine nitrogenase activity, markably high activity was exhibited by 20 bacterial isolates. The 20 isolates were identified and characterized through 16S rDNA sequence analysis and blasted in gene bank NCBI. The sequence of 16S rDNA fragment grouped the selected 20 isolates into 7 genera: Pantoea sp. (two of P. agglomerans and one of P. anthophila), Enterobacter sp. (two each of E. ludwigii and E. cloacae), Pectobacterium sp. (three isolates of P. cypripedii), Pseudomonas sp. (four isolates of P. putida), Frateuria or Dyella sp. (one isolate), Burkholderia sp. (one isolate each of B. gladioli and B. plantarii), and Aneurinibacillus sp. (three isolates of A. aneurinolyticus). In vitro studies showed a noticeable antagonistic effect of certain genera against sugarcane smut or red rot pathogens.