Twelve actinobacterial strains were isolated from tomato rhizospheric soil from Manipur, a state in North East Indian Himalayan Region and screened for keratinolytic and plant growth promoting traits. Nine promising isolates were identified as Streptomyces species using partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Among the seven isolates showing chicken feather degradation activity, three keratinolytic strains RCM-SSR-2, -6, and -12 were found to be the most efficient feather degrading strains achieving 90% feather weight loss within 48 h of incubation. They also showed maximum keratinase and soluble peptide production. Strain RCM-SSR-2, -5, -6, -8, and -11 showed positive results for all plant growth promoting traits tested. Maximum indole-3-acetic acid production was exhibited by RCM-SSR-6. Strain RCM-SSR-1, -2, -5, -6, -9, and -11 showed antagonistic activity against three important plant pathogens. Feather hydrolysate of RCM-SSR-6 was also evaluated for in vitro seed germination test using garden pea seeds. Higher concentration of feather protein hydrolysate (3 mg ml ) inhibited shoot and root length of the germinating embryo. However, lower concentration (0.01 mg ml ) of feather protein hydrolysate promoted seed germination. Among the 12 strains, four isolates namely RCM-SSR-1, -2, -5, and -6 were found to be promising as multi-traits plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for development of organic fertilizer, phytostimulator, and biocontrol agents.

Background: Arcobacters are important zoonotic pathogens and are transmitted through food and water. They are implicated in causing enteritis in animals and humans. Among the Arcobacter species, a wide genetic diversity has been documented, which reflects continuous evolving nature of these pathogens. Objectives: To genotype and to know the genetic diversity of Arcobacter spp. (Arcobacter butzleri and Arcobacter cryaerophilus) isolated from different sources in India. Methods: Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensusÀpolymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) was performed using genomic DNA of 49 Arcobacter isolates (27 A. butzleri and 22 A. cryaerophilus), recovered from a total of 506 samples of chicken meat, poultry skin, dairy cow milk and human stool as template and employing published primers. Results: ERIC sequence was found to be present in all the 27 A. butzleri isolates which were grouped into 18 subtypes, while it was present in 20 out of 22 A. cryaerophilus isolates which were grouped into 14 subtypes. Less variation was observed within sequences of both the Arcobacter species as revealed in dendrogram analysis. The genotyping of A. butzleri isolates showed the presence of 2À8 distinct bands (»150 to »1600 bp), while A. cryaerophilus showed 1À10 distinct bands (»120 to »2900 bp). Conclusion:This study is the first report regarding genetic diversity of Indian Arcobacter isolates using ERIC-PCR. Close clustering between arcobacters of human and animal origin are indicative of probable zoonotic significance. So for these purposes, further explorative studies are suggested which would also help revealing the possibility of epidemiological relationships of different Arcobacter spp. as well as their public health concerns.

Manipur in India is endowed with rich biodiversity and abundant natural resources. Despite inaccessibility, marginality and heterogeneity, the state has made good progress in agriculture and allied sectors. About 80% of the state population depends on agriculture for livelihood. However, agriculture sector in Manipur is facing the consequences of climate change. Climate change is a reality and an increasing trend in temperature, precipitation and emission of greenhouse gases has been observed in Manipur. The state is also projected to experience more of extreme rainfall and reduction in crop yields. As subsistence level farming is coupled with prevalent shifting cultivation, the small and marginal farmers will be most affected due to climate change. Hence, there is an urgent need for devising climate proof plan and climate ready policy for climate compatible agricultural development in Manipur. Location-specific climate smart technology baskets need to be devised or introduced and should be demonstrated through participatory approach, for ensuring a climate resilient production system, and a climate resilient ecosystem. The interactions between the system's adaptation strategies and the mitigation potential should also be given due importance in the action plan for combating climate change. This article deals with the present status of agriculture and allied sector and various technological and policy options for climate resilient agriculture in the hill and mountain ecosystems of Manipur.

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Aim:To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant outer membrane proteinC (rOmpC) based enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the diagnosis of salmonellosis in poultry.Materials and Methods:Three antigens were prepared, and the indirect ELISA was standardized using the antigens and the antiserum raised in chicken against Omp and rOmpC. Sera were collected from a total of 255 apparently healthy field chickens and screened for the presence of Salmonella antibodies by this ELISA.Results:The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of Omp revealed major polypeptides at 36, 42 and 52 kDa, and the rOmpC was evident by a single protein band of 43 kDa. The Omp and rOmpC antigen revealed an optimum concentration of 78 and 156 ng, respectively, in the assay, while the whole cell antigen gave an optimum reaction at a concentration of 106 organisms/ml. The test was found to be specific as it did not react with any of the antisera of seven other organisms. The developed ELISA detected Salmonella antibodies from 22 (8.62%) samples with rOmpC antigen, while 24 (9.41%) samples gave a positive reaction with both Omp and whole cell antigens.Conclusion:We suggest rOmpC based indirect ELISA as a suitable screening tool for serological monitoring of poultry flocks.