Studies on comparative microbial dynamics and their properties in cow pat pit and vermi wash

Abstract

Cow Pat Pit (CPP) and vermi wash are organic preparations commonly used in organic production. CPP is also known as soil shampoo is prepared by using fresh cow dung obtained from lactating and pasture going cows, whereas vermi wash is a liquid leachate obtained by excess water to saturate the vermi composting substrate. In this study both of these preparations (CPP & vermi wash) were prepared on farm and tested for microbial activi- ties in terms of microbial count, isolation of PGP microorganisms, testing of PGPR properties, biochemical and molecular characterization of selected microorganisms. In CPP maximum population of actinomycetes (18.4 x 106 cfu ml -1) and P-solubilizing (13.2 x 106 cfu ml -1) microorganisms were observed, while in case of vermi wash, azospirillum (3.62 x 106 cfu ml -1) and pseudomonas (3.36 x 106 cfu ml -1) showed maximum populations. Total 17 bacteria from CPP and 14 bacteria from vermi wash were isolated. All isolated bacteria were tested for biochemical tests and PGPR properties including P-solubilization, siderophore production, Zn solubilization, IAA production, etc. Based on biochemical characterization and PGPR properties one test strain C7 (Klebsiella varicola) from CPP was identified. From vermi wash also two test strains V11 (Serratia marcescens) and V12 (Bacillus cereus) were identi- fied. The test isolates identified in this study have huge potential to reclaim soil from stress environment and can enhance trace nutrients bioavailability.