Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture (Volume 11) Editor Ramesh C Ray Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (Regional Center) Bhubaneswar, Orissa E-mail: [email protected] Science Publishers Enfield (NH) Jersey Plymouth CIP data will be provided on request SCIENCE PUBLISHERS An Imprint of Edenbridge Ltd., British Isles. Post Office Box 699 Enfield, New Hampshire 03784 United States of America Website: http://www.scipub.net [email protected] (marketing department) editor@scipubn. et (editorial department) [email protected] (for all other enquiries) ISBN 1-57808-443-1 [lo digits] 978-1-57808-443-2 [13 digits] O 2006, Copyright reserved All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise be lent, re-sold, hired out, or otherwise circulated without the publisher's prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. Published by Science Publishers, Enfield, NH, USA An Imprint of Edenbridge Ltd. Printed in India PREFACE Plant genetic engineering has revolutionized our ability to produce genetically improved plant varieties. A large portion of our major crops has undergone genetic improvement through the use of recombinant DNA techniques in which microorganisms play a vital role. The cross-kingdom transfer of genes to incorporate novel phenotypes into plants has utilized microbes at every step - from cloning and characterization of a gene, to the production of a genetically engineered plant. Subhash Minocha and Andrew Page in Chapter 1h ave described the several roles of microbes as a source of tools (plasmids and enzymes) to identify and clone desirable genes, as hosts for gene amplification, as a source of DNA cutting and slicing tools (restriction enzyme and ligases), and mainly as a vehicle for gene transfer into plant cells. In Chapter 2, Ioannis Arvanitoyannis, presents an overview of the types of GM (genetically modified) plants that are being introduced into cultivation and takes a realistic outlook of the consumers' belief towards GM plants, consumers' safety, post marketing monitoring of GM plants and differences that exist among various countries. In addition, other issues like unintended effects of GM plant, legislation for GM plant, labeling and bioethics have been elaborately discussed. The importance of symbiotic nitrogen (N2)-fixationf or developing a sustainable agricultural system is enormous. This volume has two chapters covering rhizobial N2-fixation.I n Chapter 3, Neung Teamroong and Nantakorn Boonkerd have covered the various aspects of rhizobial biotechnology: genetic diversity of Rhizobium, strain selection, strain improvement, environment (soil pH and soil water) and biotic (secretion of exopolysaccharide, gene influencing nodulation efficiency and antirhizobial compounds) factors. The authors have outlined new developments in rhizobial inoculant technology, mass culture media, carrier preparations and various factors affecting the scale of inoculant production. Marta Laranjo and Solange Oliveira, in Chapter 7, have explained the genomic sequence of Rhizobium species and molecular methods for strain identification. Phosphorous is one of the principal macrobiogenic elements necessary for plant growth and metabolism. A better use of soil microorganisms can iv Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture improve the plant nutrition with phosphorous and simultaneously reduce the input of mineral fertilizers. Olga Mikanova and Jaromir Kubiit in Chapter 4 have emphasized that efforts in research and technology should focus on the quality of inoculants, improvement in the inoculation technology and effective inoculant delivery system. Molecular biology and genetic manipulation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria may offer a great potential to improve phosphate solubilizing capabilities of microorganisms. Rice is the staple food of the major population of the world. For sustaining optimum grain yield, the excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers is not a viable strategy in the long run because of the prohibitory cost and environmental hazards. In contrast, biofertilizers/organic fertilizers are cost-effective, eco-friendly and a renewable source of plant nutrients to fully or partially replace chemical fertilizers in rice cropping system. In Chapter 5, S. Kannaiyan and K. Kumar, have outlined the various biofertilizers commonly applied to the rice agro-system and the underlying biochemical principles. The root region of plants is a special microhabitat supporting bacterial species that favorably stimulate plant growth. Known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), these organisms include Azotobacter, Azospirillurn, Bacillus, Klebsiella, Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, etc. The highest concentrations of these microorganisms normally exist in the rhizosphere. Direct promotion of plant growth may involve N2-fixation, phosphorous solublization and enzymatic lowering of ethylene level. In Chapter 6, Bernard Glick and his colleagues have focused on lowering the concentration of ethylene in plants, via the action of the bacterial enzyme, 1-aminocylopropane-1-carboxylate(A CC) deaminase. Two chapters in this volume have been devoted to the interaction between microorganisms and aquaculture. Microorganisms conduct many important functions in aquaculture ponds, which include photosynthesis, decomposition of organic matter, nutrient cycling, transformations of substances between oxidized and reduced states, and detoxification of waste products and pollutants. Claude Boyd and Orawan Silapajarn, in Chapter 8, have discussed the influence of microorganisms/ microbial products in water, and sediment quality in aquaculture ponds. Microbial products consist of living bacteria, often Bacillus species or products prepared from cultures of microorganisms that contain organic acid, micronutrients and enzymes. J. Olhh, Mike Poliouakis and Claude Boyd, in Chapter 9, have defined the linkage among ecotechnology, aquaculture, bioconversion and modified reconversion of wetlands by using nitrogen pathways, fluxes and nutrient cycles to illustrate the ideas. Marine microorganisms possess unique structures, metabolic pathways, reproductive systems and sensory and defense mechanisms Preface v because they have adapted to extreme environments ranging from the cold polar seas at -20°C to the great pressures of the ocean floor, where hydrothermal fluids spew forth. P. Pandey and C. Purushothaman have provided an overview of the recent applications of microbial biotechnology in marine science and aquaculture in Chapter 10. Pesticides, despite their benefits, have a wide range of toxic side effects with potential hazards to the environment. Most pesticides are toxic to human beings, and the toxicity can vary widely within each group of pesticides. Environmental risks of a pesticide comprises the following risk factors: (1)p ersistence (indicating how long the pesticide remains active in the environment), (2) mobility (indicating how easily the pesticide can move from where it is applied), and (3) non-target toxicity (indicating how toxic the pesticide is to organisms other than the pests). Michal Green and his colleagues have portrayed these aspects in Chapter 11 taking Atrazines as a case study. Retting is defined as the process of separating the embedded fiber from the stem through partial rotting by immersion in water; the rotting is brought about by a complex enzyme action of microorganisms naturally present in retting water. M. Basak has elaborated in Chapter 12 the microbiological technology followed for extraction of jute and allied fibers i.e. Mesta, sun hemp, ramie and pineapple. Like food, the alcoholic beverages indigenous to any part of the world depend on the crops which can grow in the climate pertinent to that region. Alcoholic beverages, when produced from cereals, are known as beers; while those produced from other raw materials are known as wine. Nduka Okafor has reviewed the various alcoholic beverages produced by fermentation of agri-horticultural substrates in Chapter 13. Besides the commonly known alcoholic beverages like wine, brandy, whiskey, etc., there are many ethnic beverages such as 'bouza', 'talla', 'busaa', etc. especially in the African continent. With regard to pisciculture, the application of genetic engineering techniques pinpoint the need of Broodstock management aiming at the production of sufficient egg number and good quality larvae that will contribute to the genetic improvement and preservation of fish production characteristics, effective control of fish feed and stock farming management, and above all, excellent fish quality. A. Exadactylos and Ioannis Arvanitoyannis in Chapter 14 have dealt with the various avenues in the application of biotechnology and genetic engineering in aquaculture for enhancing fish production. This chapter also highlights the risk assessment approaches of Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Federal Development Agency (USA) and European Union (EU) towards transgenic fish and fish products. vi Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture After the processing of agricultural/horticultural produces, million of tons of low-value by-products are generated, which in general are called agricultural residues. These residues represent enormous and underutilized renewable resources which can create an adverse environmental impact unless they undergo biological decomposition. Alternately, these residues can serve as industrial feedstocks for bioprocessing into value-added products such as enzymes, organic chemicals, biofuels, etc. In Chapter 15, Ramesh Ray and others have clarified some aspect of bioprocessing of agricultural residues such as mushroom cultivation, single cell protein, microbial enzymes and food- additives (organic acid, microbial gum and other gelling agents, microbial flavor and sweeteners, etc). An endeavor has been made to incorporate all the major aspects of microbial biotechnology relating to agriculture and aquaculture in the 15 chapters of this Volume 11. Yet, some other frontier subjects like microbial pesticides i.e., microbial herbicides, Bacillus thuringiensis and baculoviruses based insecticides (in agriculture), and lignocellulose degradation and biological control by probiotic bacteria (in aquaculture) could not be included. I am thankful to the contributors of all the chapters for clearly depicting the recent findings on the subjects and adhering to the time schedule. I wish to place on record my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. N. Sethunathan, my Ph. D. supervisor, who was instrumental in creating my initial intrest in the field of microbial biotechnology and to my wife, Saraswati Ray, for her constant support. Ramesh C. Ray CONTENTS Preface List of Contributors 1 Microbes and Their Contributions to Plant Biotechnology Subhash C. Minocha and Andrew F. Page 2 Genetically Modified Plants: Applications and Issues Ioannis S. Aruanitoyannis 3 Rhizobial Production Technology Neung Teamroong and Nantakorn Boonkerd 4 Phosphorus Solubilizing Microorganisms and Their Role in Plant Growth Promotion Olga Mikanoua and Jaromir Kubat 5 Biotechnology of Biofertilizers for Rice Crop S. Kannaiyan and K. Kumar Colour Plates between 6 Physiological and Genetic Effects of Bacterial ACC Deaminase on Plants Saleema Saleh-Lakha, Nikos Hontzeas and Bernard R. Glick 7 Rhizobial Strain Improvement: Genetic Analysis and Modification Marta Laranjo and Solange Oliueira 8 Influence of Microorganisms/Microbial Products on 261 Water and Sediment Quality in Aquaculture Ponds Claude E. Boyd and Orawan Silapajarn 9 Linking Ecotechnology and Biotechnology in Aquaculture 287 J. Olah, Mike Poliouakis and Claude E. Boyd 10 Marine Microbial Biotechnology and Aquaculture - An Overview P. K. Pandey and C.S. Purushothaman viii Microbial Biotechnology in Agriculture and Aquaculture 11 Microbial Degradation of Pesticides: Atrazine as 353 a Case Study Moshe Herzberg, Carlos G. Dosoretz and Michal Green 12 Microbiological Technology for Extraction of Jute and Allied Fibres M.K. Basak 13 Microbial Bioconversions of Agri-Horticultural Produces into Alcoholic Beverages The Global Scene - Nduka Okafor 14 Aquaculture Biotechnology for Enhanced Fish Production for Human Consumption A. Exadactylos and Ioannis S. Arvanitoyannis 15 Microbial Processing of Agricultural Residues for Production of Food, Feed and Food-Additives 511 Ramesh C. Ray, Anup K. Sahoo, Kozo Asano and Fusao Tomita Index 553 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS A. Exadactylos Department of Agriculture, Animal Production and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, Volos 38446, Hellas, Greece E-mail: [email protected] Andrew F. Page Department of Plant Biology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA Anup K. Sahoo Regional Centre of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, Bhubaneswar 751 019, India Bernard R. Glick Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 3G1, Tel: + 519 888-4567 ext. 5208, Fax: + 519 746-0614 E-mail: gl [email protected] waterloo.ca C. S. Purushothaman Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Versova, Mumbai - 400061, India, E- mail: [email protected] Carlos G. Dosoretz Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel Claude E. Boyd Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn University, Alabama 36849, USA, Fax: +-334-844-5933 E-mail: [email protected] Fusao Tomita Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan