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An experiment was conducted to explore the suitability of black soldier fly (BSF) Hermetia illucens (Linnaeus) prepupae as poultry feed. Ninety day old, unsexed, Cobb chicks were distributed into 2 treatment groups, with 5 replicates, having 9 birds in each replicate, in a completely randomized design. The two dietary treatments consisted of corn-soy control diet and 5% supplemented insect meal-based diet. Results indicated similar (P > 0.05) body weight gain, feed intake or feed conversion ratio in chicks fed either insect meal or control diet during the experimental period. There was also no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the crude protein digestibility, cellular immunity as well as the length or weight of duodenum, jejunum, ileum and caecum between the treatments. It could be concluded that the black soldier fly prepupae meal can be incorporated at 5% in broiler diet. Thus, BSF can play a significant role in converting waste into feed and add to the feed basket in future.

Biological control by using microbial inoculants is adopted as the best alternative to chemical pesticides to manage plant diseases. In the present study, a microbial consortia based management strategy involving the microbes Bacillus velezensis MB101 (BV), Streptomyces atrovirens N23 (SA) and Trichoderma lixii NAIMCC-F-01760 (TL), was evaluated for the management of Rhizoctonia solani (RS), the causal agent of tomato root rot. The efficacy of these microbial inoculants was evaluated in glasshouse and field experiments. Plant defense-related enzymes were assayed in the glasshouse, and biocontrol effect was evaluated in the field with RS infected soil. In the glasshouse experiment, co-inoculated SA + TL treated plants showed maximum disease resistance in comparison to control. Also, the plant defense-related enzymes such as chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, peroxidases, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase were increased in this treatment. Furthermore, three application methods were assessed in the field, and SA + TL showed maximum disease reduction (76%) by the dual application. Based on glasshouse and field study results, it was concluded that co-inoculation of SA + TL activated plant defense against RS as compared to the individual microbes, and co-inoculation could be a new effective strategy to manage the root rot pathogen in an eco-compatible manner.

A halotolerant actinobacterial strain isolated from salinity affected soil of Eastern Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP), Uttar Pradesh, India, was characterised for its antagonistic potential against Macrophomina phaseolina by dual-culture assay. It was shown to effectively inhibit the growth of M. phaseolina with an inhibition zone of 27±1.33mm. Further the actinobacterial strain was evaluated for its plant growth promoting (PGP) properties and its ability to produce biocontrol related extracellular enzymes viz. amylase, protease, cellulase, chitinase, gelatinase and urease. The results revealed that the actinobacterial strain had PGP potential along with positive assay for amylase, chitinase and urease. The interaction study between antagonist strain and fungal pathogen, performed by scanning electron microscopy technique revealed that the actinobacterium was able to damage fungal mycelia may be due to chitinase, establishing its role as a potential antagonist against M. phaseolina. The actinobacterial isolate was characterised by 16S rDNA gene sequencing, and was identified as Streptomyces genera. The identified gene sequence was deposited to NCBI GenBank with an accession number KP331758.

Actinomycetes represent important microbial communities in the soils and inhabit very high proportion of soil microbial biomass that has the capacity to produce a wide range of high-value antibiotics, organic acids, phytohormones, extracellular enzymes, bioactive compounds, and secondary metabolites other than antimicrobials. Several strains of actinomycetes were found to promote plant growth directly and protect plants against phytopathogens and plant pests. The potential of this important microbial community for agricultural productivity is being greatly realized because they are a good source for agroactive compounds, plant growth-promoting substances, and biocontrol tools of the control of plant diseases. This chapter describes certain important aspects of actinomycetes in plant growth promotion and biological control.

Bacillus spp. have long been used as biological control organisms against plant bacterial diseases but the mechanisms by which the bacteria confer protection against the pathogens are not properly understood. Among nine strains of Bacillus spp. three of them, viz. NBAII 63 (B. megaterium), NBAII 71 (B. cereus) and NBAII 65 (B. megaterium) were found highly inhibitory against R. solanacearum. These strains of Bacillus spp. produced indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore and solubilized the phosphorous. High amount of IAA (174.2 μg/ml) and siderophore (1.32μg/ml) production followed by the highest phosphorous solubilization (53.3 μg/ml) by the strain NBAII 63 were found. These three potential Bacillus strains showed the increased activity of defense related enzymes, viz. peroxidase (PO), polyphenoloxidase (PPO), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and total phenols in pre treated tomato plants challenged with R. solanacearum. Significant activities of PO, PPO, PAL were observed at 8 days after the treatment of antagonist and declined gradually afterwards. The maximum phenol content (185 μg/g of plant tissue) was observed in the tomato plants whose roots were treated with Bacillus strain 63 at 8 days after inoculation treatment. These Bacillus strains could be used as potential biocontrol agent for the management of bacterial wilt disease of tomato.

Cell-free extracts of twenty terrestrial cyanobacteria were evaluated for their antioxidant properties in terms of free-radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS) and metal chelating activity and deoxyribose protection. Extract of Anabaena constricta was the most prominent antioxidant agent (IC50 for DPPH activity 0.91 mg ml−1, ABTS 0.23 mg ml−1, deoxyribose protection 0.63 mg ml−1 and Fe+2-ion chelating 0.9 mg ml−1). The extracts of cyanobacterial species contained high quantity of total phenol and total flavonoid that were supposed to impart prominent antioxidant properties. Cyanobacterial species also showed fairly high PAL activity. We reported varied quantities of polyphenolics gallic, chlorogenic, caffeic, vanillic and ferulic acids and flavonoids rutin, quercetin and kaempferol in cyanobacterial extracts. The presence of these polyphenolics was linked with the free radical scavenging, metal chelating and antioxidative damage protecting properties of the organisms. Cyanobacteria are the most feasible, promising and alternative candidates for searching out new chemical leads for industrial applications in pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals and biomolecules of importance. Presence of biomolecules such as polyphenolics and their connection with the prominent biological functions (e.g., antioxidant properties) make these organisms a potential source of secondary metabolites with predominant biological activities. Additionally, dominant presence of polyphenols as antioxidant agents in cyanobacterial species may reflect their adaptation strategies against abiotic stresses for their ecological success in different habitats.

The current investigation deals with isolation and functional characterization of agriculturally important novel alkali-halophilic actinomycetes from water and sediment samples of three distinct niches, namely, central, south and sea mouth sectors of the Chilika brackish water lake. A total of 59 different morphotypes based on phenotypic characterization were isolated from different sectors of the lake. Among them, a total of twenty one isolates were screened as alkali-halophiles based on screening for salt and pH tolerance on starch casein agar medium amended with 10 % NaCl and at pH 9.0. Further characterization for plant growth promotion and biocontrol attributes revealed that the south sector harboured a maximum percentage of siderophore producers while the central sector had the highest indole 3-acetic acid as well as extracellular protease producers. The sea mouth sector had a higher portion of actinomycetes possessing nitrate reductase activity and some biocontrol attributes such as antimicrobial activity against fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium udum and Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri) and production of chitinase enzyme. Identification including 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that isolates belonged to the Streptomyces and Micromonospora genera, respectively.

Biological control of charcoal root rot disease caused by Macrophomina phaseolina in chickpea was studied by using Streptomyces sp. S160. This biocontrol agent (BCA) inhibited the mycelial growth of M. phaseolina by 50 % in vitro and significantly reduced charcoal rot incidence in the greenhouse by 33.3 %. The greenhouse experiment revealed that seed treatment along with soil application supported the highest germination (88.6 %), vigor index (7326.91) and reduced root rot incidence (12.5 %) in comparison to seed treatment and soil application alone. BCA enhanced the growth and helped in inducing resistance against charcoal rot disease of chickpea caused by M. phaseolina by increasing activity of defense-related enzymes in chickpea plants, leading to the synthesis of defense chemicals in plants. BCA (Streptomyces sp. S160) was also characterized and identified by using polyphasic approaches including 16S rDNA sequencing.

Drought tolerant endophytic actinobacteria Streptomyces coelicolor DE07, S. olivaceus DE10 and Streptomyces geysiriensis DE27 were isolated from cultivated plants of arid and drought affected regions of Rajasthan, India. These isolates exhibited plant growth promotion traits and intrinsic water stress tolerance from −0.05 to −0.73 MPa. Maximum auxin production was observed in majority of actinobacterial cultures in the logarithmic to stationary phase of growth. Significant enhancement of wheat seedling vigour was recorded by the inoculation of these endophytic actinobacteria. S. olivaceus DE10 recorded maximum accumulation of indole 3-acetic acid (84.34 μg mg−1 protein). Culture and cell-free extract of the endophytes was applied on to wheat seeds to assess the effect on growth in water-stressed soil. Maximum yield was recorded with the inoculation of S. olivaceus DE10 culture (492.77 kg ha−1) and cell-free extract (262.31 kg ha−1). Co-inoculation of S. olivaceus DE10 + S. geysiriensis DE27 recorded highest yield of 550.09 kg ha−1 while their cell-free extract yielded 524.92 kg ha−1. Overall, wheat seeds treated with cultures showed better plant growth and yield in comparison to control. Direct coating of cultures on seeds yielded better performance than cell-free extract coated on seeds and co-inoculation of cultures or cell-free extract proved better than single culture inoculations. Production of phytohormones, plant growth promotion traits combined with water stress tolerance potential in these endophytic actinobacteria played a cumulative synergistic role that supported enhanced plant growth promotion of wheat in the stressed soil.

Two diazotrophic cyanobacteria, Westiellopsis prolifica and Anabaena variabilis were evaluated for elucidating the possible mechanism of mineral phosphate solubilization. Phosphate starved cyanobacteria evaluated for the presence of organic acids, extracellular compounds or enzymes that might have been produced and promoted the mineral phosphate solubilization with Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate as substrates. Both the cultures did not reveal production of organic acids throughout the incubation period when checked for decrease in media pH of the media and thin layer chromatography. Thin layer chromatography of culture filtrates showed the presence of hydrocarbon like compound. Further analysis of the culture filtrates with gas liquid chromatography, a single peak near to the retention time of 7.6 was observed in all extracts of culture filtrates irrespective of phosphate source. UV-visible spectra of culture filtrates revealed the absorption maxima of 276 nm. Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of culture filtrates showed most intense peak in the electron impact (EI) ionization was at m/z 149 and molecular ion peaks at m/z 207 and 167, inferring the presence of phthalic acid. Among the mechanisms in mineral phosphate solubilization, it was evident that these cyanobacteria used phthalic acid as possible mode of P solubilization.

Salt-tolerant isolates Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas mendocina, Arthrobacter sp., Halomonas sp., and Nitrinicola lacisaponensis isolated from high saline habitats exhibited plant growth-promoting traits like P solubilization and indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, and ammonia production. These isolates were inoculated in wheat to assess microbe-mediated responses and plant growth promotion in salt affected soil. Maximum shoot and root length (33.8 and 13.6 cm) and shoot and root biomass (2.73 and 4.48 g dry weight) was recorded in plants inoculated with B. pumilus after 30 days. Total chlorophyll content was maximum in the leaves of the plants treated with Halomonas sp. (24.22 mg g−1 dry weight) followed by B. pumilus (23.41 mg g−1 dry weight) as compared to control (18.21 mg g−1 dry weight) after 30 days. Total protein content was maximum in Arthrobacter sp. inoculated plant leaves (3.19 mg g−1 dry weight) followed by B. pumilus (2.47 mg g−1 dry weight) as compared to control (2.15 mg g−1 dry weight) after 30 days. Total carotenoid content was maximum in plants inoculated with Halomonas sp. (1,075.45 and 1,113.29 μg g−1 dry weight) in comparison to control (837.32 and 885.85 μg g−1 dry weight) after 15 and 30 days. Inoculation of bacterial isolates increased presence of individual phenolics (gallic, caffeic, syringic, vanillic, ferulic, and cinnamic acids) and flavonoid quercetin in the rhizosphere soil. The concentration of IAA in rhizosphere soil and root exudates was also higher in all treatments than in control. Accumulation of phenolics and quercetin in the plants played a cumulative synergistic role that supported enhanced plant growth promotion of wheat in the stressed soil.

Indigenous phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) were studied in the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere of salt-affected soils. A total of 23 phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 35 phosphate-solubilizing fungi (PSF) were isolated from 19 samples collected from different locations in Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh of India. The counts of PSB and PSF showed large variations. The bacterial isolates were identified using BIOLOG as belonging to Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, Bacillus, Aerococcus, Alteromonas, Erwinia and Enterobacter. Fungal isolates were identified as Aspergillus and Penicillium based on colony morphology, microscopic observations and BIOLOG. All the PSB and PSF isolates were able to produce both indole acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA). Bacterial isolates produced IAA in the range of 0.74 to 9.53 μg 25 ml−1, and GA ranged from 2.08 to 12.55 μg 25 ml−1. The amount of IAA produced by the PSF isolates ranged from 2.33 to 8.69 μg 25 ml−1, and GA ranged from 3.44 to 14.80 μg 25 ml−1. Fungal isolates were superior to bacterial isolates in terms of P solubilization as measured by release of inorganic phosphate (Pi) from tricalcium phosphate, increase in stem girth, root length, root dry matter and total dry matter of sorghum plants.

Streptomycetes is one of the most important genera, representing up to 70% population among all soil actinomycetes. We investigated the genotypic diversity of culturable Streptomycetes, freshly isolated from thirty-eight different soil samples (wheat cropping system) from Indo-Gangetic Plains of India. A total of 238 morphologically distinct actinomycetes colonies were isolated and clustered together by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of 16S rRNA gene. Identification of representative isolates from each cluster was carried out by micro/macroscopic analysis as well as biochemical characterization, and further confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing (sequences were submitted in public database, NCBI).

A total of 432 morphotypes of Streptomycetes were isolated from rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) which showed significant variation in population count. The generation time at different Cu2+ concentrations (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mM), were recorded for S160 as (1.2, 6.0 and 14.4 h), S161 (7.2, 12.0 and 24.0 h), and S164 (4.8, 7.2 and 16.8 h), respectively. Qualitative results showed 100, 62 and 8% of non-rhizospheric isolates tolerated 0.075, 0.264 and 0.628 mM of Cu2+, respectively, while rhizospheric isolates showed tolerance of 0.264 mM CuSO4. Semi-quantitative assay showed that the rhizospheric strain S160 has the ability to withstand 3.14 mM, while non-rhizospheric isolates S161 and S164 were able to tolerate up to 3.14 and 1.88 mM CuSO4, respectively. Acid-digested pellet of S160 strain indicated 68% reduction in copper residual concentration, confirming copper accumulation capacity in Streptomyces. The ability of growth of these strains in the presence of Cu2+ was co-induced by the presence of 3.1, 2.8 and 2.1 kb plasmid, respectively. Plasmids transformation into wild strain resulted in changes in metal resistance ability along with appreciable changes in resistance to antibiotics. Cultures were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as Streptomyces sp. (S160 and S161) and Streptomyces hygroscopicus (S164), respectively.

In this study, inoculation of the chickpea (Cicer arietinum) with the novel symbiotic fungus (Piriformospora indica) was analysed in combination with the Tn5-lacZ-tagged phosphate-solubilising bacterium Pseudomonas striata. This study aims to evaluate whether the co-inoculation of these two species would enhance the population buildup of P. striata in the rhizosphere, P uptake, growth and yield of chickpea. Single inoculation of P. indica and P. striata has a negative effect on plant growth and yield of chickpea. Data showed that the combination of the two microorganisms had a synergistic effect on population buildup of P. striata and plant dry biomass with respect to their single inoculation. However, the P uptake was not significantly influenced by single or combined inoculation of two species. At 20 days after sowing, the influence of combined inoculation on the population of P. striata was positive; at 60 days after sowing, it was neutral as the populations in treatments with single and combined inoculation were at par; and at harvest, it was negative The population of P. striata was higher at flowering stage as compared to 20 days after sowing and at harvest.

A total of 66 actinomycetes isolates were isolated from mangroves of Andhra Pradesh, India, using various enrichment techniques and pre-treatments. The samples were collected from Coringa mangrove ecosystem and pre-treated by enrichment with CaCO3, sodium dodecyl sulphate and phenol, plated on the media supplemented with cycloheximide (50 mg/ml), nystatin (25 mg/ml) and nalidixic acid (50 mg/ml). The population count of actinomycetes fluctuated from 1.9×105 to 8.0×105/g soil. Out of the isolated 66 actinomycetes, 8 isolates possessing plant growth promoting potential were further studied and characterized by physiological and biochemical traits and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing as different species of Streptomycetes genera.

A chitinolytic actinomycete Streptomyces vinaceusdrappus S5MW2 was isolated from water sample of Chilika lake, India and identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. It showed in vitro antifungal activity against the sclerotia producing pathogen Rhizoctonia solani in a dual culture assay and by chitinase enzyme production in a chitin supplemented minimal broth. Moreover, isolate S5MW2 was further characterized for biocontrol (BC) and plant growth promoting features in a greenhouse experiment with or without colloidal chitin (CC). Results of greenhouse experiment showed that CC supplementation with S5MW2 showed a significant growth of tomato plants and superior disease reduction as compared to untreated control and without CC treated plants. Moreover, higher accumulation of chitinase also recovered in the CC supplemented plants. Significant effect of CC also concurred with the Analysis of Variance of greenhouse parameters. These results show that the a marine antagonist S5MW2 has BC efficiency against R. solani and chitinase enzyme played important role in plant resistance.

Two diazotrophic cyanobacteria, Westiellopsis prolifica and Anabaena variabilis were evaluated for elucidating the possible mechanism of mineral phosphate solubilization. Phosphate starved cyanobacteria evaluated for the presence of organic acids, extracellular compounds or enzymes that might have been produced and promoted the mineral phosphate solubilization with Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate as substrates. Both the cultures did not reveal production of organic acids throughout the incubation period when checked for decrease in pH of the media and thin layer chromatography Thin layer chromatography of culture filtrates showed the presence of hydrocarbon like compound. Further analysis of the culture filtrates with gas liquid chromatography, a single peak near to the retention time of 7.6 was observed in all extracts of culture filtrates irrespective of phosphate source. UV-visible spectra of culture filtrates revealed the absorption maxima of 276 nm. Gas Chromatographic-Mass Spectrometric analysis of culture filtrates showed most intense peak in the electron impact (EI) ionization was at m/z 149 and molecular ion peaks at m/z 207 and 167, inferring the presence of phthalic acid. Among the mechanisms in mineral phosphate solubilization, it was evident that these cyanobacteria used phthalic acid as possible mode of P solubilization.

Methylotrophic bacteria were isolated from the phyllosphere of different crop plants such as sugarcane, pigeonpea, mustard, potato and radish. The methylotrophic isolates were differentiated based on growth characteristics and colony morphology on methanol supplemented ammonium mineral salts medium. Amplification of the mxaF gene helped in the identification of the methylotrophic isolates as belonging to the genus Methylobacterium. Cell-free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with highest values of 98.3% observed using Methylobacterium sp. (NC4). Highest values of seedling length and vigour were recorded with Methylobacterium sp. (NC28). HPLC analysis of production by bacterial strains ranged from 1.09 to 9.89 μg ml(-1) of cytokinins in the culture filtrate. Such cytokinin producing beneficial methylotrophs can be useful in developing bio-inoculants through co-inoculation of pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs with other compatible bacterial strains, for improving plant growth and productivity, in an environment-friendly manner.

Phenylpropanoids, flavonoids and plant growth regulators in rice (Oryza sativa) variety (UPR 1823) inoculated with different cyanobacterial strains namely Anabaena oryzae, Anabaena doliolum, Phormidium fragile, Calothrix geitonos, Hapalosiphon intricatus, Aulosira fertilissima, Tolypothrix tenuis, Oscillatoria acuta and Plectonema boryanum were quantified using HPLC in pot conditions after 15 and 30 days. Qualitative analysis of the induced compounds using reverse phase HPLC and further confirmation with LC-MS/MS showed consistent accumulation of phenolic acids (gallic, gentisic, caffeic, chlorogenic and ferulic acids), flavonoids (rutin and quercetin) and phytohormones (indole acetic acid and indole butyric acid) in rice leaves. Plant growth promotion (shoot, root length and biomass) was positively correlated with total protein and chlorophyll content of leaves. Enzyme activity of peroxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase and total phenolic content was fairly high in rice leaves inoculated with O. acuta and P. boryanum after 30 days. Differential systemic accumulation of phenylpropanoids in plant leaves led us to conclude that cyanobacterial inoculation correlates positively with plant growth promotion and stress tolerance in rice. Furthermore, the study helped in deciphering possible mechanisms underlying plant growth promotion and stress tolerance in rice following cyanobacterial inoculation and indicated the less explored avenue of cyanobacterial colonization in stress tolerance against abiotic stress.

The nitrogen fixing cyanobacterial strains namely Anabaena variabilis (Nostocales, Nostocaceae) and Westiellopsis prolifica (Nostocales, Hapalosiphonaceae) were evaluated for their nitrogen fixation and growth potential in response to different concentrations (10, 20 and 30 mg P) of the alternate insoluble P-sources Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate. Distinct and significant intergeneric differences were observed with respect to nitrogen fixation measured as Acetylene Reduction Activity (ARA) and growth potential as soluble proteins, total carbohydrate content, dry weight and total chlorophyll content in response to different concentrations of Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate. Both the strains showed higher soluble protein content at 20 mg P (Mussorie Rock Phosphate) that increased with time of incubation in A. variabilis. Both cyanobacteria recorded maximum Acetylene Reduction Activity at 20 mg P (Tricalcium Phosphate) followed by activity in presence of soluble phosphate (K2HPO4). The mean activity at all concentrations of insoluble phosphate (Mussorie Rock Phosphate and Tricalcium Phosphate) was more than in the presence of soluble phosphate.

The ability of two diazotrophic cyanobacteria Westiellopsis prolifica and Anabaena variabilis were examined to solubilize extracellular insoluble tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and Mussorie rock phosphate (MRP). The two strains exhibited a differential response to insoluble forms of phosphorus used. W. prolifica showed better growth in presence of MRP while A. variabilis proliferated better in presence of TCP. Biological nitrogen fixation measured in terms of acetylene reduction (AR) activity showed significant variation among the concentrations of TCP or MRP and time of incubation. W. prolifica and A. variabilis showed maximum AR activity on 14 and 21 days of incubation respectively. In general AR activity in presence of MRP was always less than that in presence of TCP at all concentrations. Among the two cyanobacteria A. variabilis was best in terms of P-solubilization and nitrogen fixation and TCP (20 mg P l(-1)) was the best source of insoluble P rather than MRP or K(2)HPO(4).

Insects, like other organisms, are susceptible to a variety of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoans, and these pathogens are exploited for biological control of insect pests through introductory or inundative applications. Microbial pathogens of insects are intensively investigated to develop environmental friendly pest management strategies in agriculture and forestry. In this paper, the scope for utilization of insect pathogens in pest management in the world and India is reviewed. The most successfully utilized insect pathogen is the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) which is used extensively for management of certain lepidopteran pests. In India, mostly imported products of Bt kurstaki have been used, which are expensive and there is an urgent need to develop aggressive indigenous Bt strains against various pests. Baculoviruses comprising nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) and granulosis virus (GV) have been successfully used as insect pathogens because of their high virulence and specificity. NPV and GV formulations are used for lepidopteran pests like Helicoverpa armigera (HaNPV) and Spodoptera litura (SlNPV) in India, besides Anticarsia gemmatalis NPV in Brazil, Lymanttria disper NPV, Orgyia pseudotsugata NPV in USA and GV of Pieris rapae in China. Lack of easy mass multiplication methods for the commercial production of baculoviruses calls for R&D to develop production in insect tissue cultures. Entomopathogenic fungi like Beauveria bassiana, B. brongniartii, Metarhizium anisopliae, M. anisopliae var. acridium, Lecanicillium spp., Hirsutella thompsonii, Nomuraea rileyi and Isaria fumosorosea are gaining importance in the crop pest control in recent years due to the simpler, easier and cheaper mass production techniques. Environmental humidity and temperature play an important role in the infection and sporulation of these fungi and as such they are highly suitable during cool and humid cropping seasons. Successful uses include M. anisopliae var. acridium for locust control in Africa, Australia and China, M. anisopliae in sugarcane spittle bug management in Brazil and pine moth (Dendrolimus spp.) control in China using B. bassiana. Since talc based formulations of these fungi have limited shelf life of 3-4 months, alternative formulations with longer shelf life (12-18 months) have to be developed besides suitable oil based formulations for dry land agriculture. There is a scope to utilize the biodiversity of Entomophthorale group of fungi like Entomophthora, Zoophthora, Neozygites etc., which have potential for management of aphids, thrips and lepidopteran pests.

A total of 23 phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 35 phosphate solubilizing fungi (PSF) were isolated from 19 samples of salt affected soils. The ability of 12 selected PSB and PSF to grow and solubilize tricalcium phosphate in the presence of different concentrations of NaCl was examined. Among 12 PSB, Aerococcus sp. strain PSBCRG1-1 recorded the highest (12.15) log viable cell count at 0.4 M NaCl concentration after 7 days after incubation (DAI) and the lowest log cell count (1.39) was recorded by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain PSBI3-1 at 2.0 M NaCl concentration after 24 h of incubation. Highest mycelial dry weight irrespective of NaCl concentrations was recorded by the Aspergillus terreus strain PSFCRG2-1 (0.567 g). The percent P i release, in general, was found to increase with increase in NaCl concentration up to 0.8 M for bacterial solubilization and declined thereafter. At 15 DAI, strain Aerococcus sp. strain PSBCRG1-1 irrespective of NaCl concentrations showed the maximum P-solubilization (12.12%) which was significantly superior over all other isolates. The amount of P i released in general among PSF was found to decrease with increase in NaCl concentration at all the incubation periods. Aspergillus sp. strain PSFNRH-2 (20.81%) recorded the maximum P i release irrespective of the NaCl concentrations and was significantly superior over all other PSF at 7 DAI.