Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Sagar SP and Mallesha BC

Abstract:
The host plants contain endophytic bacteria that have positive impacts on their hosts. In the study, 18 endophytic bacteria were isolated from Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, and Tridax procumbens. Furthermore, colony morphology and biochemical assays were used to characterize these bacterial endophytes and screened for hydrolytic enzyme production. Endophyte colony attributes varied with diverse margins, coloration, translucency, and elevation. Out of 18 endophytic isolates, 38.88% of isolates were Gram positive and 61.11% were Gram negative with different rod and cocci shapes. Further, 33.33% were endospore formers and non-endospore formers were 66.66%. Voges-Proskaeur (44.44%), Methyl red (44.44%), H₂S production (44.44%), catalase (88.88%), carbohydrate fermentation (Glucose, 66.66%; Sucrose, 44.44%), citrate utilization (55.55%) and indole production (22.22%) were all determined positive for isolates in biochemical tests. Endophytic isolates were found to produce hydrolytic enzymes confirmed through hydrolysis of starch (77.77%), urea (66.66%), cellulose (5.55%), pectin (5.55%), casein (22.22%) and gelatin (33.33%). The biochemical profiling of endophytes from the Asteraceae plants indicated the hydrolytic activity of diverse bacterial endophytes found in these plants.