NEW SPECIES OF BACTERIA DISCOVERED IN THAR DESERT

Jaisalmer.  The root-gland bacteria of nitrogen fixation have been discovered in the Thar Desert of Jaisalmer. These micro-organisms were identified with help of biochemical’s and molecular tools.

Nisha Tak

Nisha Tak, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Botany of Jai Naryan Vyas University Jodhpur has found these micro-organisms when she conducted the research on the desert plants like Leguminosae plant (legume) and Tephrosia (Biyani).

In future this micro-organism can be used as natural fertilizer and it will help to reduce the side effect of artificial fertilizers she said. The natural fertility of land and agricultural production is likely to grow by the help of these bacteria. Eight species of Tephrosia are found in western Thar and they are used as fodder expenditure and medicines.

Dr R.S. Medatiya Senior Scientist Cazari, Jaisalmer said Nisha Tak has researched on more than 100 root-glands of Legume and Tephrosia in her research work at Jaisalmer. Her research has also confirmed the molecular roots of Tephrosia which are rich in endophytes and helpful in growth of plants and trees. This is the first report on complete genome sequence of bacteria’s for nitrogen fixation. It is found by the bioinformatics that new species of Rhizobium, Sinorhizobium and Bradyrhizobium are found in the Thar Desert. These bacteria have common similarities to those bacteria which were found in her last research at Africa. Those bacteria living in arid ecosystem become tolerant to high temperature and the salt.

Hukam S Gehlot

Prof. Hukam S Gehlot, research and department director of Botany Department of JNU said,'' first time research work has been conducted on plants found in the Thar Desert, which has had significant success. Worldwide scientists are working on the discovery of bacteria which helps in agriculture.

Gehlot said in terms of economic importance the seeds of Leguminosae (Legumes) are rich in high quality protein, providing man with a highly nutritional food resource. The major staple foods such as beans, soya, lentils, peas and chickpeas are all legumes. Legumes are utilized for a variety of other purposes including timber, medicine, tannins and gums. 

According to Ayurveda, the Tephrosia plant is anthelmintic, alexiteric, alterative, and antipyretic; it is used in the treatment of leprosy, ulcers, asthma, and tumors, as well as diseases of the liver, spleen, heart, and blood Gehlot said.