Molecular and functional characterization of bacteria isolated from straw and goat manure based vermicompost

• Characterization of vermicompost bacteria was done.
• Molecular characterization revealed high 16S rRNA gene diversity.
• Bacilli were predominant followed by Pseudomonas and Microbacterium.
• Vermicompost bacteria exhibited a wide array of plant growth-promoting traits.
• Vermicompost bacteria also showed antagonism against phytopathogenic fungi and human pathogens.

A total of 193 vermicompost bacteria that exhibit antagonistic and biofertilizing potential were isolated from straw and goat manure based vermicompost produced by earthworm Eisenia foetida and taxonomically designated on the basis of their 16S rRNA sequence homology and subsequent molecular phylogeny analysis. Bacteria belonged to three major genera viz., Pseudomonas (15%), Bacillus (57%), Microbacterium (12%) and remaining bacteria comprised of genus Acinetobacter (5%), Chryseobacterium (3%), Arthrobacter, Pseudoxanthomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Paenibacillus, Rhodococcus, Enterobacter, Rheinheimera and Cellulomonas. Of 193 bacteria, 96 strains (49%) showed antagonistic potential against phytopathogenic fungus. Functional characterization of the bacteria was assessed by the production of protease, cellulase, lipase, xylanase, chitinase, amylase, gelatinase, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), phosphate solubilization, nitrate reduction, and assimilation of different carbon sources. The bacterial strains showed a varying degree of carbon utilization profiles and majority of them were known to utilize citrate, malonate. A total of 86 strains produced protease (44%) and 99 strains (51%) produced cellulase. 51 strains (26%) produced IAA, 99 strains (51%) produced siderophores and 124 strains (64%) produced ACC deaminase. 52 strains (27%) showed phosphate solubilization while 24 strains (12%) produced HCN. 43 strains (22%) showed antibacterial activity against human pathogens under in vitro conditions. None of the strains tested positive for lipase and chitinase. A total of 31 strains (16%) produced DNase, 80 strains (41%) produced xylanase and 93 strains (48%) produced amylase. Among the vermicompost bacteria reported in the present study, Bacillus was found to be the predominant bacteria followed by Pseudomonas and Microbacterium. Present study, reports the molecular and functional characterization of vermicompost bacteria.