The research programme of the Microbiology group focuses on employing a polyphasic approach (phenotypic, biochemical and genotypic) to understand the microbial diversity of the rhizospheric populations of coastal agri- and mangrove ecosystems. The studies have resulted in identifying novel salt tolerant phosphate solubilising and nitrogen fixing bacteria at generic and species level, viz., Swaminathania salitolerans sp. Nov Vibrio rhizosphaeraesp.nov, Erythroba indica.sp.nov. Alterythrobacter indica sp. nov. Vibrio porteresiae sp. nov.

Extensive Multi-location and seasonal field trials have been conducted using biofertlizers and biocontrols strains in farmers field involving a participatory approach in the coastal saline soils. Toxicological analysis proved the biocontrol strains to be non-toxic. More than 20 strains have been given for third party testing and formulations both carrier based and liquid based have been developed. The production technology has been demystified and transferred to grass root institutions managed by women Self Help Group members. This model of decentralised production units help in timely supply of good quality inputs to promote good agricultural practices. At present the group is involved in exploring the microbial diversity of the Eastern Ghats and in isolating strains producing novel active metabolites.

16s rRNA gene sequence submitted in NCBI GeneBank

1. AY941162, DQ273663, DQ399262, DQ399261, DQ336196, DQ336197, DQ336198,
2. DQ336199, DQ336200, DQ336201, DQ336202, DQ322700, DQ322699, DQ356474,
3. DQ356475, DQ356476, DQ356477, DQ356478, DQ356479, DQ356480, DQ679480,
4. DQ679481, DQ679482, DQ679483, DQ679484, DQ648603, DQ648604, DQ648605,
5. DQ648606, DQ648607, DQ648608, DQ648609, DQ648610, DQ648611, DQ648612,
6. DQ648613, DQ648614.