Heavy metal tolerance of two marine strains of Yarrowia lipolytica was tested on solid yeast extract peptone dextrose agar plates. Based on minimum inhibitory concentration esteems, it is inferred that the two strains of Y. lipolytica were tolerant to heavy metals such as Pb(II), Cr(III), Zn(II), Cu(II), As(V), and Ni(II) ions. The impact of various heavy metal concentrations on the growth kinetics of Y. lipolytica was likewise assessed. With increased heavy metal concentration, the specific growth rate was reduced with delayed doubling time. Furthermore, biofilm development of both yeasts on the glass surfaces and in microtitre plates was assessed in presence of different heavy metals. In microtitre plates, a short lag phase of biofilm formation was noticed without the addition of heavy metals in yeast nitrogen base liquid media. A lag phase was extended over increasing metal concentrations of media. Heavy metals like Cr(VI), Cd(II), and As(V) are contrastingly influenced on biofilms' formation of microtitre plates. Other heavy metals did not much influence on biofilms development. Thus, biofilm formation is a strategy of Y. lipolytica under stress of heavy metals has significance in bioremediation process for recovery of heavy metals from contaminated environment.
Today’s agriculture sector requires reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers and increasing the use of bio-based formulations for implementing organic farming practices. In organic farming, the role of bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides, and growth stimulants is crucial, but the availability of bio-based products in larger quantities always remains a constraint. Hence the purpose of this study is to formulate a microbial-based bio-fertilizer formulation ‘BAIF ELIXER’ & evaluation of its bio efficacy infield trials. Six types of microbial cultures, potential as N2 fixers, phosphate solubilizers, and bio stimulants from BAIF Development Research Foundation were cultivated in a 200 L fermenter and used to develop a BAIF ELIXER bio-fertilizer formulation. The final count of 1X109 CFU/ml was used to develop an on-farm liquid bio-fertilizer BAIF ELIXER formulation. To study its bio-efficacy, seed and on-farm treatment were conducted on Momordica charantia on 900 plants planted in a 0.13 hector area for each treatment in Research Farm, Pune. During the field experiment, plant growth and yield were recorded for 7 consecutive harvests at four days intervals. BAIF ELIXER on-farm treatment produces the highest yield of 997 kg at the 7th harvest. Both seed and on-farm treatment give higher yield as compared to control plots. As a result, the crops can be produced organically with the combined application of biofertilizer for sustainable crop development. The study will help to understand the role of beneficial microbes in agriculture in improving organic farming practices.
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