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Maintenance of high bacterial population in the rhizosphere improves the efficiency of these organisms. This high bacterial population can be maintained by the application of enriched compost which supports their growth and activities. Thus integrated use of Rhizobium, plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) containing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACC-deaminase) and P-enriched compost (PEC) could be highly effective for promoting growth, nodulation, and yield of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.). A field study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Rhizobium, PGPR containing ACC-deaminase and PEC for promoting growth of lentil. For this study, the soil type was sandy clay loam soil having pH 7.6; EC (electrical conductivity) 2.8 dS m -1 ; organic matter (OM) 0.59%; total N 0.032%; available P 7.9 mg kg -1 , and extractable K 129 mg kg -1 . Treatments were replicated thrice, using randomized complete block (RCB) design. Results showed that the integrated use of R. leguminosarum with Pseudomonas spp. containing ACC-deaminase along with PEC was highly effective and caused up to 73.5, 73.9, 74.4, 67.5, 73.3, 65.8, 40.5, and 52.5% increase in fresh biomass, grain yield, straw yield, pods plant -1 , nodule plant -1 , nodule dry weight plant -1 , 1000-grain weight, and N content in grain of lentil, respectively, as compared to respective control. It is concluded that integrated use of R. leguminosarum with Pseudomonas spp. having trait ACC-deaminase plus PEC would be an effective approach for better nodulation which consequently improved yield of lentil under natural conditions.

BackgroundMicrobial transformation of steroids has been extensively used for the synthesis of steroidal drugs, that often yield novel analogues, not easy to obtain by chemical synthesis. We report here fungal transformation of a synthetic steroidal drug, exemestane, used for the treatment of breast cancer and function through inhibition of aromatase enzyme.ResultsMicrobial transformation of anti-cancer steroid, exemestane (1), was investigated by using two filamentous fungi. Incubation of 1 with fungi Macrophomina phaseolina, and Fusarium lini afforded three new, 11α-hydroxy-6-methylene-androsta-1, 4-diene-3,17-dione (2), 16β, 17β-dihydroxy-6-methylene-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one (3), and 17β-hydroxy-6-methylene-androsta-1, 4-diene-3, 16-dione (4), and one known metabolites, 17β-hydroxy-6-methylene-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one (5). Their structures were deduced spectroscopically. Compared to 1 (steroidal aromatase inactivator), the transformed metabolites were also evaluated for cytotoxic activity by using a cell viability assay against cancer cell lines (HeLa and PC3). Metabolite 2 was found to be moderately active against both the cell lines.ConclusionsBiotransformation of exemestane (1) provides an efficient method for the synthesis of new analogues of 1. The metabolites were obtained as a result of reduction of double bond and hydroxylation. The transformed product 2 exhibited a moderate activity against cancer cell lines (HeLa and PC3). These transformed products can be studied for their potential as drug candidates.

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To cite this paper: Iqbal, M.A., M. Khalid, Z.A. Zahir and R. Ahmad, 2016. Auxin producing plant growth promoting rhizobacteria improve growth, physiology and yield of maize under saline field conditions. AbstractSoil salinity is one of the most widespread agricultural problems which reduce the field crop productivity. Salinity disturbs the hormonal balance in plants which results in poor growth. Use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) is considered an economical and environment-friendly approach to combat salinity stress. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of auxin producing PGPR on the growth, antioxidant status and mineral content of maize (Zea mays) in salt affected soils. Rhizobacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of maize growing under salt affected soil conditions. These strains were screened on the basis of auxin production and their ability to withstand salinity stress. Two stains (MA4 and MA11) which produced highest auxin and tolerated maximum salinity were selected for further evaluation in a field experiment. The results of field trial showed that soil salinity reduced the plant growth, mineral nutrient uptake and yield of maize while antioxidant activity and proline concentration was increased. However, rhizobacterial inoculation improved grain yield (31%), fresh biomass (56%) and phosphorous contents in grains (26%) while the proline concentration (41%), ascorbate peroxidase (59%) and SOD values (42%) in leaves were declined. The results of present study signify the role of auxin producing rhizobacteria under salt affected field conditions.

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