Metagenomic Analysis of Microbial Diversity of Rhizosphere of Basmati Rice Oryza sativaL

Abstract

newline Basmati rice has a popcorn-like aroma that is primarily caused by the presence of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline and is very important for consumer acceptance. The aroma quality of basmati is deteriorating over time. The disruption in rhizospheric microflora brought on by the adoption of modern agricultural practises and the excessive use of inorganic fertilisers are believed to be the cause of the gradually declining aroma quality of basmati rice. The present study entitled Metagenomic analysis of the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere of basmati rice (Oryza sativa L.) was designed to explore the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere of basmati growing areas of Jammu region and to identify the most abundant microbial groups associated with the rhizosphere of the basmati rice, assessing their functional potentials and to identify the microbial community influencing the aroma production in basmati rice. The genomic DNA was isolated from rhizosphere Soil samples of basmati and non basmati fields of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts. Shotgun metagenome sequencing was performed to explore the metagenomic diversity of the rhizosphere soil samples. Metagenomic analysis of microbial diversity of the basmati growing regions of Jammu district revealed highest microbial counts in the R.S Pura area of Jammu, followed by Samba and Kathua districts. newlineThe most abundant microbial group associated with the rhizosphere of basmati rice were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Enterobacteria, Burkholiderales, Rhizobiales etc.,Proteobacteria being most abundant microbial group in the rhizosphere soil sample of basmati and non basmati rice fields of RS Pura district with 46.43%and 43.05% of reads at the phylum level, respectively. At the class level Actinobacteria were most abundant in both the samples RS-B and RS-NB with 34.19% and 35.91% reads respectively. Proteobacteria were also found to be the most abundant microbial group in the rhizosphere soil sample of basmati rice fields of samba district (SAM-B) with 46.87% of rea