Study of Bacterial Diversity of Mangroves Rhizosphere

Abstract

Microbial diversity has\rbeen an important facet of scientific research, since microbes promise a\rplethora of biomolecules which are otherwise not found in nature. Microbes are\rsubjected to high level of competition for survival in the environment, and hence\rdevelop mechanisms of defense. The biomolecules produced by these microbes as\rpart of their defense or survival mechanism, are of importance for human and\ranimal drugs and many other industrial and environmental applications. The\rmarine counterparts of these terrestrial microbes have yet higher potential,\rsince the marine environment has higher biotic and abiotic stresses, leading to\rnew molecule discovery. In the current study, a bacterial diversity study of\rthe culturable bacteria of the mangrove rhizosphere of Avicennia marina has been undertaken, to understand the\rflora diversity. Mangroves are unique ecosystems which are under a combination\rof marine and terrestrial influence. Mangroves are seaward, inland and also\rfound in creek areas. This diversity in their habitat, leads them to produce\rvariable root exudates, which support the growth of different types of\rorganisms. This study has revealed that certain species are dominant in these\recosystems irrespective of the biotic and abiotic stresses, whereas certain\rspecies appear only at neutral pH. The study will help select organisms for\rfurther biomolecule discovery programs, based on their environment of isolation\rand other growth parameters.