Phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and extracellular enzyme production activities of endophytic fungi isolated from tea (Camellia sinensis) bushes of Assam, India

Abstract

In the present study, a total of ten endophytic fungi were isolated from Camellia sinensis root, stem and leaf samples collected from twelve different tea gardens of Assam, India and evaluated for phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and extracellular enzyme producing activities. Out of ten, nine fungi were found positive for phosphate solubilization, siderophore production and cellulase activities. The highest fungal population was recorded in the root sample ORG-B (7.5 x 105) followed by ORG-A (7.4 x 105). Phosphate solubilization index was recorded highest in Penicillium sclerotiorum (2.87±0.01) followed by Penicillium sp F 7 (2.22±0.02) after 9 days of incubation. The highest siderophore percentage was observed in P. chrysogenum F 5 (61.09 ± 0.75%) followed by P. chrysogenum F1(56.29 ± 0.43) after 6 days of incubation. The highest cellulase (42.25±2.6 µg/ml/30 min), amylase (41.50±1.54 µg/ml/30 min) and xylanase (32.00±2.18 µg/ml/30 min) activites were recorded for P. chrysogenum F5, Aspergillus fumigates and A. niger respectively.