Birinchi Sarma | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi (original) (raw)

Papers by Birinchi Sarma

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of three rhizosphere competent microbial strain... more A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of three rhizosphere competent microbial strains, viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens OKC, Trichoderma asperellum T42 and Rhizobium sp. RH4, individually and in combination in bioprimed seeds of chickpea and rajma. Seeds were sown in pots and fields and the results demonstrated that bioprimed seeds showed higher germination percentage, and better plant growth in both the crops compared to non-bioprimed control plants. It was also observed that the combined application of the microbes enhanced seed germination and plant growth better than their individual application. Among the combinations all combinations comprising of Trichoderma showed better results compared to the others and the triple microbial combination demonstrated best results in terms of seed germination and seedling growth in both chickpea and rajma.

Mycologia

Variability among 26 isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii collected from various hosts/soil samples and... more Variability among 26 isolates of Sclerotium rolfsii collected from various hosts/soil samples and localities in India is reported. The isolates varied in colony morphology, mycelial growth rate, sclerotium formation, teleomorph production and sclerotial size and color. Out of 26 isolates, only 4 produced the teleomorph stage on Cyperus rotundus rhizome meal agar medium. Mycelial incompatibility among the isolates was also seen, and out of 325 combinations, only 29 combinations (8.9%) showed compatible reactions. Based on mycelial compatibility, 13 vegetative incompatibility groups (VCG) were identified among the isolates. HPLC analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction of culture filtrates of the isolates revealed 10-22 peaks. Six peaks were identified as gallic, oxalic, ferulic, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), chlorogenic, and cinnamic acids. Oxalic, IAA, and cinnamic acids were present in the culture filtrates of all the isolates in varying amounts. The other three phenolic acids were not...

Rhizospheric bacteria promote plant health and combat with pathogenic microorganisms. Available r... more Rhizospheric bacteria promote plant health and combat with pathogenic microorganisms. Available reports indicate the activity of PGPR are in protection of plant under abiotic stresses. In the present work we have compared the growth promotion and biochemical responses of plants influenced bybacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of different plants. Two Pseudomonas strains S1 (P. putida) and Cgr (P. aeruginosa) were isolated from chickpea and congress grass, respectively, and their antimicrobial activity was tested against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Both strains are tested for HCN, IAA and ammonia production. Their surviving ability in salt stress was evaluated and compatibility test was performed. We have got some interesting results that plant defense enzymes and phenolic substances were accumulated in higher concentrations in plants that were treated with the two bacterial strains (Cgr and S1) either individually or in combination when challenged with biotic (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum) and abiotic stress (NaCl salt stress) compared to the non-bacterized plants but exposed to biotic as well as abiotic stresses. These results indicates that the Cgr and S1 have potential to be used as biocontrol agents that can help chickpea to combat attack of S. sclerotiorum as well as thrive under salt stress. Moreover, the results also indicated a common pattern of defense response by chickpea against both the biotic and abiotic stress when they are bacterized by the two bacterial strains.

Journal of Plant Protection Research, 2009

Antifungal activity of water soluble exudates of pea leaves was assayed. Exudates of different no... more Antifungal activity of water soluble exudates of pea leaves was assayed. Exudates of different nodal leaves were collected by dipping them in sterilized distilled water for different length of time and conidial germination of four non-pathogenic to pea fungi (Alternaria solani, Curvularia lunata, Helminthosporium penniseti and H. echinocloa) and one pea pathogenic to pea fungus (Erysiphe pisi) was observed in the collected exudates. The leaf exudates inhibited differently conidial germination and A. solani and C. lunata were found highly susceptible. Conidial germination on exudate-depleted pea leaves showed better germination of E. pisi than on non-depleted leaves. Bipolar germination was the highest on II and III nodal leaves dipped in distilled water for 18 h while after 24 h it was the highest on I nodal leaves following dipping in distilled water. Similarly, conidial germination of E. pisi was observed on different nodal leaves of pea of different age. It was very clear that young leaves did not support germination at all and on the same nodal leaves conidia germinated after the leaves became older. No germination was observed on less than 20-day-old leaves. Moreover, 30-day-old leaves were found to be highly susceptible as bipolar germination of E. pisi conidia was maximum on such leaves and did not increase with aging.

Microbiological Research, 2001

The effect of calcium and calmodulin modulators, viz., ethylene glycol bis (β-amino ethyl ether)-... more The effect of calcium and calmodulin modulators, viz., ethylene glycol bis (β-amino ethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA), a calcium chelator; verapamil, a plasma membrane Ca 2+ channel blocker; ruthenium red, an organelle Ca 2+ channel blocker; and chlorpromazine, a calmodulin antagonist; on the development of Erysiphe pisi was studied by floating the inoculated leaves on the respective solutions of chemicals. All the modulators affected the development of E. pisi by inhibiting the colony diameter, number of secondary branches, number of hyphal cells per colony and number of haustoria. The calmodulin antagonist was more effective in reducing E. pisi development. The results suggest the possible involvement of calcium and calmodulin in the development of E. pisi on pea leaves.

Journal of Phytopathology, 2002

Efficacy of seven strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pfs1-7), plant growth-promoting rhizobacter... more Efficacy of seven strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pfs1-7), plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), were tested under field conditions for their ability to protect Cicer arietinum against Sclerotium rolfsii infection. Best protection was observed in strain Pfs3 where 23% seedling mortality was recorded in comparison to 44% in non-treated control. To correlate the induction of phenolic compounds by the PGPRs with disease resistance, qualitative and quantitative alterations of phenolic compounds in different parts of C. arietinum were estimated following PGPR application as seed treatment. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of the leaves, collars and roots of the PGPR-treated and non-treated (control) plants showed the presence of gallic, ferulic, chlorogenic and cinnamic acids with varied amounts in the PGPRtreated as well as non-treated (control) plants. Maximum accumulation of cinnamic acid was observed in plants treated with Pfs3 strain (1660 ng g -1 fresh wt.) which was almost 19.5 times higher than untreated control plants and also significantly high when compared to other PGPR treatments. Pfs3 also caused maximum accumulation of total phenolics and gallic acid in all chickpea plant parts as compared to other treatments and untreated control. A direct relationship between the level of total phenolics and seedling survivability was observed. PGPR-mediated induction of phenolic compounds as a biochemical barrier in C. arietinum against S. rolfsii infection is envisaged.

Journal of Phytopathology, 2007

... Blepharis boerhaviaefolia, VL012, Leaf spot, Varanasi, 2001, 4.5, Deep yellow, 0.6, 6.1, 9.9,... more ... Blepharis boerhaviaefolia, VL012, Leaf spot, Varanasi, 2001, 4.5, Deep yellow, 0.6, 6.1, 9.9, ND, ND, 2.3, 0.1, ND. Cajanus cajan, VL013, Leaf spot, Varanasi, 2001, 4.6, Deep yellow, 0.8, ND, 0.1, ND, 80.7, ND, 0.1, 128.4. Cicer arietinum, VC971, ...

Journal of Phytopathology, 2003

Inoculation of pea (Pisum sativum) with pea nonpathogenic powdery mildews (PNPM) (Oidium sp., Phy... more Inoculation of pea (Pisum sativum) with pea nonpathogenic powdery mildews (PNPM) (Oidium sp., Phyllactinia corylea and P. delbergiae) induced resistance against a subsequent infection with Erysiphe pisi. Conidial germination, appressorium formation and secondary branch development in E. pisi conidia on pea plants were reduced in the presence of the three PNPM compared with uninoculated host plants. Microscopical observations also revealed that there was no hypersensitive cell death or lignin formation in the pea leaf tissues following treatment with the three PNPM. Reduced disease intensity (DI) of pea powdery mildew was observed up to 12 days after inoculation of the three PNPM. Pre-inoculation with P. corylea led to the highest disease suppression (21.2% DI) compared with non-inoculated control plants (96.5% DI). Highperformance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of different parts of pea plants with and without PNPM inoculation revealed increased synthesis of total phenolics and also of gallic, tannic and ferulic acids. However, the amount of phenolic compounds decreased in leaves treated singly with E. pisi or in combination with the PNPM. U. S.

Journal of Phytopathology, 2000

Folia Microbiologica, 1998

Folia Microbiologica, 1999

A plant quaternary alkaloid A3-alstovenine inhibited the spore germination of most of the fungi t... more A plant quaternary alkaloid A3-alstovenine inhibited the spore germination of most of the fungi tested at concentration of 250-1000 mg/L. Saprophytic and biotrophic fungi were equally sensitive to the alkaloid. Cercospora sp. was the most sensitive as 100 % inhibition of spore germination was observed at 250 mg/L. Alternaria species, Curuulwia species and Fusarium udum were not affected even at 1000 mg/L.

Folia Microbiologica, 2000

The indole alkaloid venenatine exhibited antifungal activity against some plant pathogenic and sa... more The indole alkaloid venenatine exhibited antifungal activity against some plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi. Venenatine in an aqueous acetic acid solution inhibited spore germination of all the 10 tested fungi; Fusarium udum, Alternaria brassicicola, Ustilago cynodontis and Aspergillus flavus showed an especially high sensitivity towards this compound, exhibiting germination levels below 10 %. The spore germination and colony development of the parasitic fungus Erysiphe pisi, which causes powder': mildew in pea (Pisum sativum), on excised leaves of pea was also significantly affected. Pre-inoculation rather than post inoculation treatment of the leaves was more inhibitory against spore germination and colony development.

Folia Microbiologica, 2006

Foliar spray and micro-injection of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial species, viz. Pseudomon... more Foliar spray and micro-injection of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial species, viz. Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. aeruginosa on chickpea induced synthesis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) when tested against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Induction of PAL was also associated with increased synthesis of phenolic compounds such as tannic, gallic, caffeic, chlorogenic and cinnamic acids. Treatment with P. fluorescens was found to be more effective in inducing phenolic compounds as compared to P. aeruginosa. However, persistence of PAL activity was observed more with P. aeruginosa. Although both the inoculation methods were effective, foliar application was found to be superior to micro-injection in terms of rapid PAL activity leading to the synthesis of phenolic compounds. Abbreviations HPLC high performance liquid chromatography Pag Pseudomonas aeruginosa IAA 3-indolylacetic acid PAL phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (EC 4.3.1.5) ISR induced systemic resistance PDA potato-dextrose agar KB King's B (agar) PGPR plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria Pf4 Pseudomonas fluorescens Sst Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (LIB.) DE BARY is an important pathogen distributed ubiquitously, attacking over 360 species of plants comprising 64 families . Diseases caused by S. sclerotiorum are difficult to control and may result in substantial yield losses. ISR occurs when the plant defense mechanisms are stimulated to resist infection by pathogens . PGPR-mediated ISR results in the reinforcement of plant cell wall by lignin, callose and phenolic compounds, alterations of the physiological and biochemical reactions of plant cells and production of antimicrobial substance, such as pathogenesis-related proteins and phytoalexins . Currently, attempts to protect plants from pathogen attack through PGPR have gained worldwide attention because of their ecofriendly and sustainable nature in plant disease management.

Current Microbiology, 2002

Qualitative and quantitative estimation of phenolic compounds was done through high performance l... more Qualitative and quantitative estimation of phenolic compounds was done through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in different parts of pea (Pisum sativum) after treatment with two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens (strain Pf4) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (referred to here as Pag) and infection by Erysiphe pisi. The phenolic compounds detected were tannic, gallic, ferulic, and cinnamic acids on the basis of their retention time in HPLC. In all the treated plants, synthesis of phenolic compounds was enhanced. The induction of gallic, ferulic, and cinnamic acids was manyfold more than those in the control. Maximum accumulation of phenolic compounds was observed in plants raised from PGPR-treated seeds and infection with E. pisi. Under pathogenic stress, Pag performed better because a relatively higher amount of phenolics was induced compared with plants treated with Pf4.

Chemico-Biological Interactions, 2009

Chemopreventive potential of Acacia nilotica bark extract (ANBE) against single intraperitoneal i... more Chemopreventive potential of Acacia nilotica bark extract (ANBE) against single intraperitoneal injection of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA, 200 mg/kg) followed by weekly subcutaneous injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 , 3 ml/kg) for 6 weeks induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats was studied. At 45 day after administration of NDEA, 100 and 200 mg/kg of ANBE were administered orally once daily for 10 weeks. The levels of liver injury and liver cancer markers such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), ␥-glutamyl transferase (␥-GT), total bilirubin level (TBL), ␣-feto protein (AFP) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were substantially increased following NDEA treatment. However, ANBE treatment reduced liver injury and restored liver cancer markers. ANBE also significantly prevented hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and reduced glutathione (GSH) in NDEA-treated rats which was dose dependent. Additionally, ANBE also increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes viz., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver of NDEA-administered rats. Eventually, ANBE also significantly improved body weight and prevented increase of relative liver weight due to NDEA treatment. Histological observations of liver tissues too correlated with the biochemical observations. HPLC analysis of ANBE showed the presence of gallic, protocatechuic, caffeic and ellagic acids, and also quercetin in ANBE. The results strongly support that A. nilotica bark prevents lipid peroxidation (LPO) and promote the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system during NDEA-induced hepatocarcinogenesis which might be due to activities like scavenging of oxy radicals by the phytomolecules in ANBE.

Canadian Journal of Microbiology, 2002

Exudate depletion from developing sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. in culture caused reduced... more Exudate depletion from developing sclerotia of Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc. in culture caused reduced size and weight of sclerotia. Germination of exudate-depleted sclerotia was delayed on Cyperus rotundus rhizome meal agar medium when compared with that of control sclerotia. The exudate-depleted sclerotia caused infection in chickpea (Cicer arietinum) plants in a glasshouse. Different temperatures and incubation periods had no effect on the germination ability of the exudate-depleted sclerotia. Oxalic acid, sclerotial exudate, and culture filtrate of S. rolfsii induced the synthesis of phenolic acids, including gallic, ferulic, chlorogenic, and cinnamic acids, as well as salicylic acid, in treated chickpea leaves. Gallic acid content was increased in treated leaves compared with the untreated controls. Maximum induction of gallic acid was seen in both leaves treated with oxalic acid followed by exudate and leaves treated with culture filtrate. Cinnamic and salicylic acids were not induced in exudate-treated leaves. Ethyl acetate fractionation indicated that the sclerotial exudates consisted of gallic, oxalic, ferulic, chlorogenic, and cinnamic acids, whereas the culture filtrate consisted of gallic, oxalic, and cinnamic acids along with many other unidentified compounds.

High performance liquid chromatography analysis of different parts of Sclerotium rolfsii-infected... more High performance liquid chromatography analysis of different parts of Sclerotium rolfsii-infected and healthy seedlings of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) was carried out to examine the status of phenolic compounds. Three major peaks that appeared consistently were identified as gallic, vanillic and ferulic acids. Gallic acid concentrations were increased in the leaves and stems of infected plants compared to healthy ones. Vanillic acid detected in stems and leaves of healthy seedlings was not detected in infected seedlings. There was a significant increase of ferulic acid in those stem portions located above the infected collar region compared to minimal amounts in the roots of healthy seedlings. In vitro studies of ferulic acid showed significant antifungal activity against S. rolfsii. Complete inhibition of mycelial growth was observed with 1000 lg of ferulic acid/ml. Lower concentrations (250, 500 and 750 lg/ml) were also inhibitory and colony growth was compact in comparison with the fluffy growth of normal mycelium. Higher amounts of phenolics were found in the stems and leaves of S. rolfsii-infected seedlings in comparison to the healthy ones. A role for ferulic acid in preventing infections by S. rolfsii in the stems and leaves of chickpea plants above the infection zone is therefore feasible.

Agriculturalfoodproductswithhighnutritionalvalueshouldalwaysbepreferredoverfoodproductswithlownut... more Agriculturalfoodproductswithhighnutritionalvalueshouldalwaysbepreferredoverfoodproductswithlownutritionalvalue.Effortsarebeingmadetoincreasenutritionalvalueoffoodbyincorporatingdietarysupplementstothefoodproducts.Thesameismoredesirousifthenutritionalvalueoffoodisincreasedundernaturalenvironmentalconditionsespeciallyinagriculturalfarms.Fragmentedresearcheshavedemonstratedpossibilitiesinachievingthesame.Therhizosphereisvitalinthisregardfornotonlyhealthandnutritionalstatusofplantsbutalsoforthemicroorganismscolonizingtherhizosphere.Remarkablyrobustcompositionofplantmicrobiomewithrespecttoothersoilenvironmentsclearlysuggeststheroleofaplanthostindiscriminatingitscolonizers(Zancarinietal.,2012).Alargenumberofbioticandabioticfactorsarebelievedtomanipulatethemicrobialcommunitiesintherhizosphere.However,plantgenotypehasproventobethekeyingivingthefinalshapeoftherhizospheremicrobiome(Berendsenetal.,2012;Marquesetal.,2014).

Microorganisms under natural habitats live in communities and some provides benefits to plant. Fu... more Microorganisms under natural habitats live in communities and some provides benefits to plant. Further, microbes when introduced to soil as consortium and interact with a host plant, partially mimic the natural soil conditions. The current research trend has therefore oriented towards investigating the role
of small microbial consortia in promoting plant growth and health against various invading pathogens. This is a paradigm shift from the original investigations involving a single microbe. In the recent past, information on various mechanisms by which microbial consortia promoted plant growth and triggered
defense responses in host plants during pathogen ingress have become available. It was also unveiled that microbes in small consortia enhance the defense signaling cascades leading to enhanced transcriptional activation of several metabolic pathways. However, an additive or synergistic effect is not
achieved every time a microbial consortium is used. With progress in time a sizable understanding on microbial consortium-induced plant defense responses had been reached. Further generation of information on host's responses to pathogenic challenge in the presence of diverse microbial consortia at functional level is underway. In this review, we have presented the outcomes of small microbial consortia used so far to protect crop plants from various pathogens. We have also provided possible explanations for reduction in diseases when a microbial consortium was used, compared the effects of microbes when used alone as well as in consortium, possible shortcomings for not obtaining desired outcome from the
introduced consortia, and provided the rationale for development of effective microbial consortia capable of inducing enhanced systemic resistance. Finally, we have suggested some potential biotechnological applications to sustain the effect of microbe-induced defense responses in host plants.

Bacteria in Agrobiology: Disease Management, 2012