Cellulolytic bacteria with plant growth promoting properties as an efficient microbial strategy for composting

Aims: The aim of this study was to screen plant growth promoting cellulolytic bacteria. Methodology and results: Cellulolytic bacteria were isolated from soil, filter cake and distillery slop samples. Isolates were evaluated for their capacity to promote plant growth, harness soil fertility. Two isolates of bacteria screened from distillery slop (BDS 31) and filter cake (BFC8) decomposed carboxymethyl cellulose on the agar plate and showed the highest hydrolysis capacity 3.25-3.5. These isolates also fixed atmospheric nitrogen and produced Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in broth cultures. Bacterium isolate BFC8 solubilized Tri-calcium phosphate in Pikovskaya agar and bacterium isolate BDS31 inhibited the growth of rice blast fungus (Pyricularia oryzae). Conclusion, significance and impact study: The results from this experiment suggested that bacteria isolate BFC8 and BDS31 had the properties of plant growth promoting. Moreover, these bacteria had high efficiency of degradation of carboxymethyl cellulose. Therefore, it is an alternative for using as microbial inoculums for composting.