Professor
Debananda Singh Ningthoujam
Microbial Biotechnology Research Laboratory (MBRL), Department of Biochemistry, Manipur University, Canchipur-795003 (Manipur), India
Title: Biostimulation Potential of Endophytic & Rhizospheric Bacteria on Rice
*Corresponding Author & Group Leader (Co-Authors Rakhi Khunjamayum and Y. Rojiv Singh
The global population has reached 8 billion and is projected to increase to 10.5 billion by 2050, driving a surge in food demand while facing challenges from decreasing arable land, soil fertility, and climate change stresses. The use of agrochemicals poses health risks to humans and ecosystems. Hence, the exploration of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria as sustainable alternatives is a promising approach. These beneficial bacteria can produce unique secondary metabolites with potential applications in both agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
The MBRL laboratory has focused on the plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties of rhizospheric and endophytic actinobacteria, specifically evaluating eight endophytic isolates that enhance the growth of traditional rice cultivars and reduce disease impacts caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Four most promising isolates, AcRz21, PtL11, TgIb5, and TgIb12, were identified through 16S rDNA sequencing as Streptomyces griseorubens, Alkalihalobacillus clausii, Bacillus velezensis, and Priestia aryabhattai, respectively. These strains were later subjected to HR LC-MS analysis for secondary metabolite profiling, revealing bioactive compounds such as Rhizonin A, Istamycin, and Streptothricin F.
Additionally, two bacteria associated with Chak-hao rice plants, named ChSl01 and ChA28, considerably improved plant growth and conferred protection against Fusarium oxysporum. ChSl01 was categorized as Streptomyces albidoflavus str. ChSl01 underwent whole-genome analysis, which highlighted a significant gene cluster system, comprising 5981 coding sequences and 21 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). Notably, several BGCs showed high similarity to known metabolites and potential for producing antimicrobial compounds, underscoring ChSl01’s promise as a biocontrol agent. The genome of this bacterium revealed the presence of functional carbohydrate wall-degrading enzymes (FCWDEs), such as chitinases and glucanases, suggesting its capability to enhance rice cultivation, particularly for black rice, by synthesising effective antifungal metabolites against plant pathogens.
Biography of the presenting author
Prof Debananda Singh Ningthoujam earned his MSc degree in Life Sciences from JNU, New Delhi in 1985 and PhD from NEERI, Nagpur in 1999. He has been a faculty member in Biochemistry at Manipur University, Imphal, India for over 30 years. He is currently Dean, School of Life Sciences at MU.
He has published over 3 dozen scientific papers and has presented papers several internatinal meets including those at Bergen, Beijing, Shanghai, Isfahan, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego and ARS (AFOB), Dacca and ARS (AFOB), Taiwan etc.
He was conferred the UNESCO-ASM Grant for International Educators Award in 2010. He is a life member/member of various societies including ASM, AMI India, BRSI, ISCA and SBC India. He has also published over 7 books on scientific biography and other themes.
Presenting author details
Full name: Prof Debananda Singh Ningthoujam, PhD
Contact number: +91-9862027271
Email: debananda.ningthoujam@gmail.com
ORCID: 0000-0002-6991-3639
Session name/ number: Agricultural Biotechnology
Category: Oral presentation