Dr. Md. Rakibul Islam

We have recently started work on Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria/Rhizofungi or PGPR as well as bacteria and fungi inhabiting plants which are called Endophytes. Dr. Rakibul Islam with his extensive experience in microbial physiology, genetics and as well as molecular biology, has been supervising this aspect of our work PGPR consist of a group of microbes which colonize and inhabit the plant roots for improving plant growth. They are mainly soil bacteria that colonize the roots of plants. Inoculation onto seed of these microbes enhances plant growth. On the other hand , Endophytes are group of microorganisms having the ability to enter inside the plant hosts, colonizing the intercellular spaces without causing disease or having detrimental effects on the plant. Endophytic bacteria have been found in virtually every plant studied. They confer an ecological advantage by establishing long-term colonies in plants and being transmitted through generations of offspring with little influence from environmental conditions. Endophytic bacteria enter the plant tissue chiefly through the root zone. They can also enter through above ground portions of plants like cotyledons, stems and flowers. Bacteria get entrance in the tissues via germinating radicles, secondary roots, stomata or from an injured site. Endophytic bacteria have already been isolated from roots, stems, leaves, seeds, fruits, ovules and tubers and populations are found to be in decreasing order from roots, stems to leaves. Endophytes can form a range of different relationships with their hosts including symbiotic, commensalistic and trophobiotic.

Once we isolate and characterize useful microbes we are using these to see their effect on plant growth promotion under various control and stressed conditions.