• M. Gomathy
• K.G.Sabarinathan

Phyllosphere microorganisms in rice ecosystem were analyzed using foldscope. Rice leaf samples were collected at critical stages from different places. At different time intervals leaf samples were collected from different regions. Samples were subjected to leaf imprinting technique in the respective media viz, Nutrient agar medium, Rose Bengal agar medium, Kenknight’s agar medium, YPS medium for the isolation of bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and yeast respectively. After staining samples were seen under foldscope and the images were recorded.The information obtained through foldscope analysis of various microbes revealed that numerous microorganisms occupy the phyllosphere region and its population varies with time and place from which they have been isolated. Compared to the normal growth stages of crop, critical stages of crop were observed to have multiple colonies and wide varieties of microorganisms. Their population also get enhanced at different stages. Bacterial colonies were found to be high in number followed by yeast, fungi and actinomycetes. The pure cultures of microorganisms were maintained in respective agar slants at 4°C and stored at -20°C in 50 % glycerol for further studies. Based on the biochemical characterization tests the organisms were further analyzed. Bacterial isolates were subjected to grow in different carbon sources and most of the isolates were growing well by using glucose as the carbon source followed by sucrose, fructose and maltose. Indole acetic acid, Methyl red, Voges proskauer and Citrate utilization tests were done for the isolates and the results were recorded for further analysis.

Phyllosphere, Foldscope, Microorganisms

"Isolation and characterization of phyllosphere microorganisms in rice through Foldscope – A frugal microscope", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.828-837, June 2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907875.pdf

"Isolation and characterization of phyllosphere microorganisms in rice through Foldscope – A frugal microscope", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp828-837, June 2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1907875.pdf