Despite the phytotoxicity of olive-mill solid waste (OMSW) due to its high polyphenols content, OMSW have fertilizer characteristics, which make it a potential source for organic fertilization. Composting of OMSW treatment process was conducted in this study to eliminate the phytotoxicity and solve the environmental impact of this waste. Recycling of OMSW was carried out via composting of six batches of trials using equal proportions of OMSW, cow manure (C) and wheat straw (W). The treatment process was performed at two time intervals (two and five months), after each one, the recipient species (Vicia faba L.) was planted. The results showed the efficiency of composting in reducing OMSW original toxicity after two months than five months. The germination percentage and the plumule and radicle lengths of V. faba showed a significant improvement when the OMSW was composted with C at different proportions before using as soil amendments. Besides, the total biomass was noticeably increased at the high concentration of C-OMSW. Similarly, the total pigments concentration in V. faba was increased by using various composts after two months, where the highest pigment content was observed at 40% W-OMSW treatment.

Despite the phytotoxicity of olive-mill solid waste (OMSW) due to its high polyphenols content, OMSW have fertilizer characteristics, which make it a potential source for organic fertilization. Composting of OMSW treatment process was conducted in this study to eliminate the phytotoxicity and solve the environmental impact of this waste. Recycling of OMSW was carried out via composting of six batches of trials using equal proportions of OMSW, cow manure (C) and wheat straw (W). The treatment process was performed at two time intervals (two and five months), after each one, the recipient species (Vicia faba L.) was planted. The results showed the efficiency of composting in reducing OMSW original toxicity after two months than five months. The germination percentage and the plumule and radicle lengths of V. faba showed a significant improvement when the OMSW was composted with C at different proportions before using as soil amendments. Besides, the total biomass was noticeably increased at the high concentration of C-OMSW. Similarly, the total pigments concentration in V. faba was increased by using various composts after two months, where the highest pigment content was observed at 40% W-OMSW treatment.The maximum uptake of potassium and sodium was recorded through the application of W-OMSW compost to soil after two months. Furthermore, the C-OMSW composts showed the highest concentration of nitrogen, calcium, iron and manganese. However, the C-W-OMSW composts recorded the highest concentration of phosphorous, magnesium and copper. Finally, this study developed a low cost treatment that will enable the growers to convert OMSW into a natural nontoxic compost rich with essential nutrients which have positive effects on plants growth.

This study investigates the mechanisms as well as strategies for purification and characterization of potential enzymes involved in pathogenesis of entomopathogenic fungi. The test strain of Verticillium lecanii that was screened, during the present investigation, proved to be an efficient producer of protein and polysaccharide degrading enzymes (amylase, protease, and lipase), hence indicating versatility in biochemical mechanisms. Halo zones produced colony growth of V. lecanii on agar confirmed activity of protease, amylase and lipase enzyme by the V. lecanii isolate. Enzymatic Index (EI) observed were: Protease – 2.195, Amylase- 2.196, Lipase- 2.147. Spectrophotometric analysis of enzymatic activity of V.lecanii at five different pH – 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 revealed that highest proteolytic activity of the V. lecanii isolate was reported at pH 7 and 9 whereas proteolytic activity was minimum at acidic pH 3. Maximum amylolytic activity of V. lecanii on the 7th day of inoculation was at pH 3 i.e. in an acidic environment in contrast to neutral pH 7. Maximum lipolytic activity of V. lecanii was found at pH 7. Since enzyme production in entomopathogenic fungi is specific and forms an important criterion for successful development as well as improvement of mycoinsecticides, hence a significant conclusion from the present analysis is the degree of variation in secretion of enzymes in test strain of Verticillium lecanii.

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to enhance growth of plants by involving various direct and indirect mechanisms. About sixteen rhizobacterial isolates were isolated from various rhizospheric soils of tomato crops in the fields of Dehradun. These bacterial isolates were phenotypically characterized and were subjected to in vitroscreeningfor their plant growth promoting traits like ammonia andsiderophore production,production of indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and phosphate solubilization.Out of sixteen bacterial isolate, three bacterial isolates proved to have potential PGPR activities. The production of indole acetic acid (IAA) by all rhizobacteria was investigated as possible mechanism for plant growth stimulation. All rhizobacterial isolates were shown to produce IAA in vitroin presences of L-tryptophan in the culture medium. The isolates were also tested for their efficacy in seed germination and seedling vigour by using tomato seeds in roll towel method.All rhizobacterial isolates also showed an increased in both the shoot and the root length of tomato seedlings as compared to the control. The seed germination ranged from 90 percent (uninoculated control) to 98.5 percent. All the three strains GKS-V, HPR-I, HPR-III significantly improved seed germination when compared to the uninoculated control (UIC). These isolate showed significantly increased in shoot and root length as well as enhanced vigour index of 124.54 and 741.45 after 6 and 16 days respectively. From biochemical tests it was concluded that all the three selected rhizobacteria belong to Pseudomonas species.