Charcoal rot caused by the fungus have emerged as serious concern for cultivation of soybean under climate change scenario worldwide. In the present studies, 16 isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina from different regions of Madhya Pradesh were analyzed for Cultural and morphological variability. The parameters can be observed from results that Colony characteristics, length, width and number of sclerotia of sixteen isolates of Macrophomina phaseolina grown on P.D. A.

Background: Hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection is a very common infection in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Genotype detection is crucial for management of chronic hepatitis c patients, prediction of prognosis, epidemiological study and also for vaccine preparation. Based on the sequence divergence, till date HCV strains are divided into 7 main genotypes and multiple subtypes (67 confirmed, 20 provisional). The study was aimed to find out single centre prevalence and distribution of HCV genotypes in CRF patients on MHD. Methods: Genotyping was performed by nested reverse transcriptase PCR. Isolation of HCV RNA, reverse transcription and nucleic acid amplification of 5’ UR was carried out. Biotinylated oligonucleotide primers were used to generate amplified product and reversely hybridized to type-specific probes on nitro-cellulose strips. Conjugate and substrate were added post-hybridization to observe generated bands which were then matched with control bands. The genotypes studied were 1a to1c, 2a to 2d, 3a to 3f, 4a to 4k, 5a and 6a. Results: Out of 2550, 210 patients (12.14%) (Male: 166, Females: 44) were HCV positive. Genotype 1 was found in 179 (85.2%) and genotype 3 in 31(14.8%) patients. Amongst, genotype 1, subtype 1a, 1b, 1ba and undetermined comprised 71.4%, 24.6%, 0.6% and 3.4% respectively. Amongst, genotype 3, subtypes 3a, 3b and undetermined comprised 70.9%, 9.7% and 19.4% respectively. No other genotypes were found. Conclusion: HCV infection was found in 12.14 % CRF patients on MHD with genotype 1 (85.2%) being predominant followed by genotype 3 (14.8%) in our study.

Introduction: C reactive Protein (CRP) is the acute phase reactant which is secreted from liver and its level rises within 12 hr of onset of initial stimulus of infective or inflammatory origin. Testing of CRP value has been widely used as indicator tool to detect early infection along with other laboratory tests. Materials and Methods: This present study was aimed to analyze the different values of CRP in correlation with WBC count and blood culture in selected patients. Samples of pediatric patients aged less than 1 year were included in this study. Total 191 samples were analyzed retrospectively received in microbiology laboratory for CRP testing by standard methods. Data of CRP values were summarized on the basis of demographic variables and other laboratory tests. Results: Out of 191 samples, CRP test was positive in 46 (24.08%) patients showed positive response with mean CRP value of 8.03mg/dl. Out of all age group, highest samples were from early neonate age group (0-7days) which shows 21.42% positive ratio. Out of positive samples majority of samples (22) were having CRP value 0.6 -4.8 mg/dl. Majority of positive samples were having abnormal CRP value either in terms of leukopenia or leukocytosis. Out of 57 blood culture samples received, 23 shows positive bacterial growth. Conclusion: Testing of CRP has been widely used as one of most sensitive indicator of infection detection. Serial measurement of CRP value can also be utilized as prognostic indicator to detect response of treatment. Rather than using single parameter, result should always correlate with other laboratory parameters.

The aim of this project is to carryout to improve the production of enzyme by Aspergillus niger. The effect of alternative carbon source in czapek-dox medium as inducer of beta-galactosidase, beta-fructofuranosidase and keratinase activity. Aspergillus niger was grown in czapek Dox medium with orange peel as inducer for enzyme and czapek medium with human hair and chick feather as a substrate for keratinase production. The organism was grown in surface and submerged condition. The enzymes were extracted and purified and activity was determined by spectrophotometer analysis for beta-galactosidase, beta-fructofuranosidase and keratinase. Thus the alternative carbon source as orange peel, human hair and chick feather exhibit great potential as inducer for the production of generating significant amount of beta-galactosidase , beta-fructofuranosidase and keratinase using waste agro industrial substrate.

The most emerging superficial fungal infection are dermatophytes which are commonly infecting humans and animals. These infections are capable of invading keratinized tissues of skin, nail and hair. Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton are the three different genera on the basis of morphological characteristics. A total of 1432 patients with symptoms compatible with superficial mycosis were included in the present study. Tinea corporis was the most common clinical form of dermatomycoses both in males and females’ patients followed by Tinea cruris. The patients with age group of 21-40 years were more susceptible to dermatophytes infections because of more physical active group and involves in the outdoor activities thereby increasing chance of exposure. Although 1.4% children between 7-10 years also infected with Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris and Tinea capitis. Maximum number of patients visited during the summer and rainy season from July to October which allows the growth of dermatophytes on the skin because of high temperature and humidity at Malwa region of Punjab. In the present investigation mostly patients have agriculture background. Therefore, unhygienic conditions, ignorance, poverty, less medical facility and high cost of medicine, people do not get timely and appropriate treatment, which leads to the severe dermatophytes infection.

Bio-inoculants have to overcome several biotic and abiotic stresses for their successful colonization on the rhizosphere region. Such adverse conditions drive the researchers to exploit the abilities of the aggregated bacterial cells in enhancing their survivability in rhizosphere. The main objective of this study is to develop aggregated cells by preparing aggregation inducing medium using fructose and ammonium chloride as carbon and nitrogen sources respectively which resulted in aggregation in high C:N medium visible to the naked eye after 24 hours of inoculation. Methylobacterium, Azospirillum, Pseudomonas and Pantoea formed aggregated cells whereas no aggregation was noticed in Bacillus cultures. Poly-β-hydroxybutyrate granules or inclusion bodies were observed higher in aggregated cells than the non-aggregated cells. Microbial load of the aggregated cells was relatively higher than non aggregated cells which was 4×1011 CFU ml-1 with more biomass. Microbial adhesion was also observed more in aggregated Methylobacterium cells. Plant growth promoting traits such as IAA, ACC deaminase, phosphate, zinc and silica solubilization were observed more in the aggregated cells than the non aggregated cells. The results revealed the effectiveness of aggregated cells than non aggregated cells on PGP traits.

A favorable ambiance is necessary for Plant-Microbe interaction. For an effective symbiosis, pulses are grown under arid and semi-arid conditions require drought-tolerant rhizobial strains. The efficiency of Rhizobium strains was analyzed under water stress conditions by addition of appropriate concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (-0.1 to -1.0MPa water potential). In the present study 3 rhizobial cultures viz., CC1, RR3, and RR6 were taken, and the cultures showed good growth and survival under induced water stress with -0.5MPa and they were evaluated for the plant growth promoting traits. PGP traits viz., IAA, EPS production, biofilm formation, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, survivability and seedling vigour under induced water stress was estimated under rhizobial inoculation supplemented with and without PEG and the results are presented in this paper.

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungi belonging to the phyllum glomeromycota are beneficial plant symbionts that form mutualistic relationship with roots of most perennial crops. This fungal association allows plants to explore larger volumes of soil to absorb more water and nutrients, especially immobile nutrients like P, Zn and Cu, by producing special structures called hyphae, vesicles and arbuscules, which results in enhancement of plant growth and productivity. Spices are cultivated in varying climatic and soil conditions, which are highly responsive to AM inoculation. In order to develop suitable AM inoculant for spices, this study has been made with isolation of AM spores from different locations of southern parts of Tamil Nadu and screening for infectivity. Soils were analysed for various physico-chemical properties and the natural occurrence of AM spores. Spores collected from Red chilli grown at Bodimettu showed high infectivity and enhanced the vigour of maize to a considerable extent, which has been selected for inoculating chillies under rainfed cultivation as an inoculant for drought mitigation.

Biopesticides are effective, eco-friendly, biodegradable and do not leave any harmful residue on environment. Various types of bacterial, fungal and virus are widely used as biopesticides. Biopesticidesare categorized into three most important classes namely, microbial pesticides, biochemical pesticides and plant-incorporated protectants. In this review, use, mode of action and application of biofungicides, bacterial pesticides, viral pesticides, botanicals, pheromones, predators and parasitoids are discussed in details.

Methylobacterium is a group of PGP organism that can be associated with phylloshpheric region which enhances the growth of plant directly or indirectly, improve soil fertility and nutrient uptake. It has continued to attract the attention of researchers due to the low cost, growth promoting ability and stress mitigation potential. Though Methylobacterium spp. are well known for their growth promotion, the ability to solubilize phosphate and potassium has been receiving attention in recent years. But the studies are very meager to exploit Methylobacterium for Nitrogen nutrition. In this investigation three pink-pigmented facultative Methylotrophic (PPFM) strains were obtained from the Department of Agricultural Microbiology, AC&RI, Madurai and evaluated for Nitrogen contribution under Greenhouse condition. All the selected bacterial strains M. populi, M. radiotolerance, and M. thiocynatum upon characterization, showed positive for nitrate reduction, N2 fixation and ammonia production, besides enhancing plant growth. Cell nitrogen content was observed maximum with M. thiocynatum and recorded the increase in native nodulation to the tune of 84.3% over control. This has been reflected in plant Nitrogen status also. Increase in leaf number has also been reported, which may contribute for the production of enhanced photosynthates to compensate the energy requirements for both partners. Among the three strains evaluated M. thiocynatum recorded higher ARA activity (29.5 nmoles of ethylene produced h-1 mg-1 of protein) followed by M. radiotolerance (16.4 of ethylene produced h-1 mg-1 ) and M. populi (6.4 nmoles of ethylene produced h-1 mg-1 of protein). The same culture enhanced the seedling vigour to the tune of 19% over other cultures and 55% over uninoculated control and this study showed the N contribution by Methylobacterial inoculation.

Enterococcus previously considered as a normal commensal of gut, is developing fast as a pathogen causing serious and life threatening nosocomial infections. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence factors & their association with antimicrobial resistance. A total of 56 clinical samples were isolated from a tertiary care hospital. All these samples were identified as per standard conventional methods and detected for the production of virulence factors such as Haemolysin, Gelatinase, & Biofilm production. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out by disc diffusion method according to the CLSI guidelines. Among 56 isolates, E. faecalis were 43(76.7%), & E. faecium were 13(23.3%), The highest percentage of antibiotic resistance was seen in Erythromycin (83.7% in E. faecalis and 84.7% in E. faecium) followed by Ciprofloxacin (76.7% in E. faecalis and 77% in E. faecium), Tetracycline (74.4% in E. faecalis and 46% in E. faecium) and Ampicillin (32.5% in E. faecalis and 84.7% in E. faecium). In this study, overall 30.2% of E. faecalis & 23.1% of E. faecium showed biofilm production, haemolysin production were 46.5% of E. faecalis and 15.3% of E. faecium, followed by Gelatinase production were 21% of E. faecalis and 15.3% of E. faecium. Though the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) is comparatively high in our study, hence regular monitoring of vancomycin resistance is very crucial for early finding, treatment, application of preventive and control measures.

To study the effect of coffee pulp effluent irrigation on yield and yield attributing characters of banana, a field investigation was carried out during 2006 and 2007 at Kollibylu, Mudigere, Chikmagalur District. Application of raw coffee pulp effluent without microbial culture recorded higher fungi population (7.03 CFU x 104g-1) followed by all the other effluent irrigated treatments. Alternate irrigation with lime treated coffee pulp effluent and fresh water with microbial culture recorded higher bacterial population (9.00 CFU x 107g-1). Lime treated coffee pulp effluent irrigation with microbial culture recorded higher actinomycetes population (6.43 CFU x 103g-1). Lime treated coffee pulp effluent irrigation with microbial culture recorded higher dehydrogenase activity (336.9 μg TPF g-1d-1), raw coffee pulp effluent irrigation without microbial culture recorded higher urease activity (141.4 μg NH4-Ng-1h-1) and 1:1 ratio irrigation with lime treated coffee pulp effluent and fresh water with microbial culture recorded higher phosphatase activity (65.00 μ mol p-NPg-1h-1) as compare to the other treatments.

Study of the bacterial pathogens associated with epidemics of human disease have evolved into multidrug resistant (MDR) forms subsequent to antibiotic use. There are many important factors contributing to the indiscriminate use of antimicrobials are knowledge, economic incentives and regulatory environment. Some evidence that CAM prevention and treatment strategies can lead to the prescription and consumption of fewer antibiotics. Due to rise in MDR bacteria metal complexation serves as better alternative as it prevents drug resistance and decreases necessary doses.

Effect of different fertilizer levels and weed management in sugarcane was laid out during the year 2016–17 and 2017–18 at Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari. Results revealed that the highest cane yield was obtained with treatment F3 (125 % RDF) and it was remained at par with treatment F2 (100 % RDF).While sugarcane equivalent yield, LAI, AGR, RGR and NAR was observed highest under the treatment F3 (125 % RDF) followed by treatment (F2). The dose of 125% RDF was found economically sounder, as it generated the highest benefit: cost ratio of 2.42. While, the lowest gross B: C ratio of 1.79 was obtained under F1 (75 % RDF) treatment. All the yield attributes and yield were found higher under the treatment W2. Consequently, treatment W2 proved efficient in controlling the weed population, lowest nutrient uptake and dry-matter production at all the growth stages, as evident by the highest weed control efficiency. Treatment W2 (Three HW at 30, 60 & 90 DAP + Two IC at 45 & 90 DAP) was recorded significantly the highest cane yield of 113.7 t/ha and it was remained at par with treatment W6. While, the lowest cane yield of 78.4 t/ha were noted under weedy check (W1). The highest B:C ratio (2.68) were obtained with the treatment W5 (Pendimethalin 1.0 kg/ha as pre-emergence + gram as an intercrop) followed by treatment W2 and W6. While, the lowest B:C ratio (1.75) was obtained under W1 (Weedy check) treatment.