Thirty strains of bacteria were isolated from Garampani, under Nambor reserve forest in Golaghat district of Assam. Qualitative analysis was carried for the thirty isolates, though only eight isolates were found to have cellulose-degrading capacity. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences revealed degree of sequence similarity with Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus sp [3]. Growth curve analysis were done at 35°C, 45°C and 55°C. Thermal stability was evaluated at different temperatures ranging from 40°C-100°C as well as the stability of the enzymes were also assessed at different pH range of 2-10. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (0.43 IU/ml) showed the highest cellulose activity followed by Bacillus cereus (0.39 IU/ml) and Bacillus thuringiensis (0.3 IU/ml) whereas Bacillus cereus (13.77 µg/ml) produced the highest amount of enzyme followed by and Bacillus sp (13.44µg/ml). Highlights • Eight isolates were found to have cellulose-degrading capacity • Bacterial isolates showed high degree of sequence similarity with Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus sp. • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (0.43 IU/ml) showed the highest cellulase activity • Bacillus cereus (13.77 µg/ml) produced highest amount of enzyme

In the present study, six rhizobial strains were isolated from root nodules of Vigna trilobata plants raised in soils collected from geographically different areas in A.P., India. All the isolates were biochemically characterized and screened in vitro for their plant growth promoting activities (PGP) viz. Indole Acetic Acid production, Chitinase production, Exopolysaccharide production, Siderophore and HCN production. These strains were identified as Agrobacterium tumefaciens MRR 108 (KC 415690), A. tumefaciens MRR 111 (KC 415692), Ensifer sp. MRR 101 (KC 428651), Ensifer fredii MRR 110 (KC 415691), Rhizobium sp. strain MRR 112(KF 621018) and Rhizobium sp. strain MRR 123 (KC 503884), after 16S rDNA sequencing. The results showed that the rhizobial isolates differ in the levels of PGP activities. All the six isolates were Indole Acetic Acid and EPS producers while Ensifer sp. MRR101 and Rhizobium sp. MRR 123 are siderophore producers and A. tumefaciens MRR 111 and Ensifer fredii MRR 110 are chitinase producers. Except, Ensifer fredii MRR 110 and Rhizobium sp. strain MRR 112 all are HCN producers. Therefore, these six strains with PGP potential are best biocontrol agents.