Studies on survival of Rhizobium in the carriers at different temperaturesusing green fluorescent protein marker

The present work was undertaken to use green fluorescent protein marker to monitor population of Rhizobium transformant in low-cost carriers in compar ison with lignite. The viability of the Rhizobium transformant carrying the reporter gene gfp, was studied in four different bioinoculant carriers at various temperatures. The viable count of Rhizobium transformant was minimu m in groundnut shell carrier and maximum in lignite, at all temperatures; L ignite was used as a standard carrier to assess suitability of three availa ble low-cost carriers, viz. paddy husk, sawdust and crushed groundnut shell s. These low-cost carriers are byproducts of agro-based industries. In this study attempts have been made to use these byproducts as carriers, thus ex ploiting the wastes to their full potential. Paddy husk proved to be a good protective material compared to sawdust and crushed groundnut shells at al l temperatures. The reporter gene, afp, can be used as marker for monitorin g the bioinoculants.