Abstract
In the present study, 9 bacterial and 6 fungal endophytes were isolated from surface sterilized leaf, stem and root samples of the medicinal plant - Andrographis paniculata (Kalmegh). The endophytes were screened for plant growth promoting traits (IAA, phosphate solubilization and N2 fixation), enzymes (cellulase and amylase) and antimicrobial compounds against 3 potent human pathogens- E. coli, Staphylococcus sp. and Vibrio sp. The majority of the isolated endophytes produced the phytohormone - IAA (ranging 2-45μg/ml), and 1 endophyte solubilized phosphate and fixed N2. All the fungal endophytes possessed cellulase and amylase activity. In the preliminary screening, 4 bacterial and 4 fungal endophytic isolates extract showed antagonistic activity against the 3 potent human pathogens which are known causative agents of urinary tract, skin and gastrointestinal tract infections, respectively. The endophytes of A. paniculata exhibiting broad and specific antimicrobial activity make them ideal candidates in medical purposes. SAARC J. Agric., 19(2): 157-170 (2021)
Highlights
After their discovery by Darnel Germany in 1904 (Freeman, 1904), the endophytes has revolutionized the field of plant microbe interaction
P solubilization by endophytes is well documented in crop plants like wheat (Jha and Kumar, 2009) and rice (He and Zhu, 1998) via release of protons, chelating agents and organic acids (Hussain et al, 2013) which helps in plant growth and development, pathogen resistance efficiently
Our current study focuses on the isolation of endophytes from medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata and exploring their potential for plant growth promoters, extracellular enzymes and antimicrobial compounds
Summary
After their discovery by Darnel Germany in 1904 (Freeman, 1904), the endophytes has revolutionized the field of plant microbe interaction. The endophytes aid in various plant growth promoting (PGP) abilities to the host plant in form of phytohormones such as indole 3 acetic acid, gibberellins, cytokinins (Ali et al, 2017); mineral nutrient assimilation such as N2 fixation and phosphate solubilization etc. The endophyte fixed N2 is required for plant growth and development without any persistent environmental hazards in the form of underground water contamination and greenhouse gas emission, as evident in chemical fertilizers. P solubilization by endophytes is well documented in crop plants like wheat (Jha and Kumar, 2009) and rice (He and Zhu, 1998) via release of protons, chelating agents and organic acids (Hussain et al, 2013) which helps in plant growth and development, pathogen resistance efficiently
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