Identification of Chitin Degrading Bacterial Strains Isolated from Bulk and Rhizospheric Soil

The subsequent application of insecticides and pesticides in agriculture results in several health and environment issues. To overcome, such devastating effect of synthetic chemicals, an eco friendly measure is required. Chitinolytic bacteria and their enzymes can be adopted as potent substitutes to chemicals required controlling the agriculture loss. The aim of this research was to isolate bacterial strains with significant chitinase activity. Isolates were screened based on method viz. zone inhibition, colorimetric, biochemical and were identified based on 16S rDNA sequences. Observed chitinase activity was in range 0.181Uml-1 to 1.594Uml-1 with zone inhibition in the range of 6mm to 29mm. Among the recovered strains only two, MSCP10 and MSCW8 showed good response when tested against insect and showed 80% and 95% mortality respectively after 72 hours of treatment. Based on 16S rDNA sequencing, MSCP10 and MSCW8 exhibited similarity with Serratia marcescens strain S308 and Staphylococcaceae bacterium HDMd_5 respectively. Through insect bioassay it was concluded that these bacterial strains were effective against Lepidopteran insect P. xylostella.