Studies on the identification, isoloation, characterization and effectiveness of root module Actinomycete (Frankia) on the growth of Casuarina species of Kerala

Abstract

The studies on the above title revealed that the Punaloor Casuarina plantation had the highest Frankia population both in root nodules and in rhizosphere soil. Among different media tried, BuCT medium was found to be very suitable for the favourable growth of Frankia, with propionate and Tween 80 as carbon source and casaminoacids as nitrogen source. In the characteristic study of Frankia isolated, it was revealed that there were septate branched hyphae bearing sporangia and vesicles similar to the typical characteristics of genus Frankia. Studies on the influence of Frankia on the growth performances of Casuarina species indicated that the single inoculation with Frankia was more effective in Casuarina equisetifolia having significant increase in seedling height, nodule number, total biomass, quality index, total nitrogen, total potassium and nitrogen uptake whereas total phosphorus, total calcium, total magnesium and phosphorus uptake were significantly higher in Casuarina junghuhniana inoculated with Frankia alone. In the biochemical studies, nitrogenase activity, acid phosphatase activity, total carbohydrate and total protein content were higher in Casuarina equisetifolia treatments. Alkaline phosphatase activity, total free aminoacids, proline content, total phenol content and Indole Acetic acid were higher in Casuarina junghuhniana treatments. In the effectiveness studies, for Casuarina equisetifolia single inoculation with Frankia proved better in growth and yield performances whereas for Casuarina junghuhniana, Frankia - Azotobacter interaction proved to be effective, both in growth and nitrogen fixation in the soil.