Journal of

Cell and Life Sciences

Vol. 1; Issue 1; Year 2013; Page 6-19

ISSN: 2330-6033
DOI: /10.1111%2Fjcls.v1i1.55
Available at http://sci-edit.net/journal/index.php/ijibr/index

Compost Teas: A Potential Source Of Antagonistic Microflora

Against Plant Diseases
K. Praveena Deepthi* and P. N. Reddy
College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India 500030.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
Compost teas are known for their efficacy in plant disease management. Composition of compost substrate can influence the
microbiota of compost tea. In this study the compost teas prepared from CT1 (Vermicompost), CT2 (CT1 + Pseudomonas
fluorescens 1%), CT3 (CT1 + Trichoderma viride1%), CT4 (Dung75% + Paddy Straw25% ), CT5 (CT4 + Pseudomonas
fluorescens1%), CT6 (CT4 + Trichoderma viride1%), CT7 (Dung75% + Neem Powder20% + Fishmeal5%), CT8 (CT7 +
Pseudomonas fluorescens1%), CT9 (CT7 + Trichoderma viride1%) were analysed for total microbial population and their
relative occurences. Their antagonism was tested against the leaf blight pathogen of Alternaria alternata (Fries)Kiessler.
The number of colony forming units (cfu) varied from 100.45 X 106cfu/ml (CT7) to 830.4 X 106cfu/ml (CT5). The percent
occurence of aerobic bacteria is varied from 80.8% (CT5) to 30.16% (CT1). Actinomycetes was occurred with a frequency
of 18.77% in CT1 followed by CT2 (6.6%) and CT3 (3.16%). The percent occurrence of fungi was varied from 0.91 (CT7)
to 0.05 (CT1). Percent occurrence of bacteria isolated under anaerobic incubation was varied from 64.24% (CT8) to 15.82%
(CT3). The actinomycetes AAS1 was significantly superior with 76% inhibition and 7.5mm of inhibition zone. Among the
bacterial isolates ABS4 was superior with 73.34% inhibition and with a inhibition zone of 7.5mm. Among the bacteria isolated
under anaerobic incubation, AnBS7 (97.87%) and among the fungi FS3 was significantly superior over other treatments with
percent inhibition of 82.68%. The percent inhibition of mycelia growth by microbial populations varied from 6.98% (CT1)
to 79.17% (CT7).
Key words: Compost teas, Microorganism, Antagonism, Plant pathogen
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
post teas will change during the fermentation at the time
of extraction. Compost extract can be sprayed on crop to
Compost teas are known for their ability to miti- coat leaf surfaces and so that they provide resistance and
gate various crop diseases. Compost teas are beneficial increase beneficial microorganisms in the microclimate
in plant disease management and they can be included and protect from infection with pathogen (4).
in the integrated disease management strategies of field
Among all compost teas made by Scheuerell and
and horticultural crops (1, 2, 3). Compost teas act on Mahaffee, (5) produced with or without fungal or bacpathogen by inhibiting the spore germination, increasing terial additives, there was no significant relationship of
the benign microorganisms, inducing the systemic and bacterial population, measured as active cells, total cells
local acquired resistance. Systemic acquired resistance to disease suppression. However for all aerobic compost
is known to be induced by many synthetic materials tea produced with the molasses based additive, there
and microorganisms.
was a threshold of bacterial population density (6 log 10
Compost tea is highly heterogeneous in nature and active cells per ml, 7.48 log10 total cells per ml or 7log10
is a source of many microorganisms those can compete cfu/ml) above which compost teas were suppressive.
with the pathogen in suppressing the plant diseases.
So it is evident that the microflora present in the
Composition of raw materials present in the compost compost teas plays a potential role in managing the
mixtures will influence the microbial population in the diseases and the plant pathogens. In the present study
compost tea. Similarly, the microbial population of com- the compost teas CT1 (Vermicompost), CT2 (CT1 +
Pseudomonas fluorescens 1%), CT3 (CT1 + T. viride 1%),
_________________________________
CT4 (Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% ), CT5 (CT4 + P.
*Corresponding author
fluorescens 1%), CT6 (CT4 + T. viride 1%), CT7 (Dung
email praveenadeepthi@gmail.com
75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fishmeal 5%), CT8 (CT7
Tel.: + NA, Fax: + NA
th
+ P. fluorescens 1%), CT9 (CT7 + T. viride 1%) were anAccepted on 25 July, 2013

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

alysed for total microbial population and their relative
occurances. Further their antagonism was tested against
the leaf blight pathogen of Alternaria alternata (Fries)
Kiessler, which has a broad host range.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Estimation of quantitative and qualitative microbial populations in compost teas
Quantitative estimation of microbial population
was estimated and population present in one ml compost
tea was recorded as colony forming units/ml (cfu /ml)
using the formula. Number of colonies/plate X dilution
factor X100/Volume of the sample.
Microorganisms isolated were categorized and
named based on their cultural and morphological
characters. Gram reaction is recorded for bacteria. Each
isolate was given a code.
Qualitative analysis of different microbes present
in each compost tea was calculated in terms of occurrence of a particular microbe using the formula. Percent
occurrence = Total number of particular microbes in
plate X 100/ Total number of colonies of all microbes
in a plate
Antagonism of microorganisms from compost teas against
Alternaria alternata
The antagonistic activity of aerobic bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi that were isolated from compost teas
was tested by dual culture technique (6). The antagonistic nature of anaerobic bacteria was carried out in
submerged culture. Each conical flask was filled with
150 ml of sterilized nutrient broth and added with 6
mm diameter mycelial discs of A. alternata. Later each
flask was inoculated separately with each anaerobic
bacterial strain and incubated at 26 2OC in dessicator
that is connected with a vaccume pump for 10 days.
The dry mycelial weight of the fungus was taken and
were expressed in mg. The percent inhibition of mycelial
growth was recorded.
Antagonism of compost tea microbial consortia against
Alternaria alternata
Crude compost teas diluted to 25% concentration were filtered through the cellulose acetate membranes. The membranes those retained the microbial
consortia (mixture of microorganisms) were put in to
the 150 ml of nutrient broth present in the conical flask
to which 6 mm mycelial discs of Alternaria alternata
was added aseptically and incubated at 26+20C. After
10 days the dry weight of mycelial mat was recorded.
The reduction in the mycelial dry weight is indicated as
percent inhibition of mycelial growth.

RESULTS
Estimation of quantitative and qualitative microbial
populations in compost teas
Quantitative analysis
Among the nine compost teas the microbial population in terms of cfu/ml was differed significantly
between the treatments except in CT7 and CT8 (Table
1). The number of cfu varied from 100.45 X 106 cfu/ml
(CT7) to 830.4 X 106 cfu/ml (CT5). Highest number of cfu
were observed in CT5 followed by CT1 (527.3 X 106 cfu/
ml). The bacteria, actinomycetes were grouped based on
the colony characters, shape and gram reaction (Table
2). Fungi were grouped based on the colony characters,
however some were identified till species/genus level
using suitable keys (Table 3).
Qualitative analysis
A total of 17 different aerobic bacteria and one
actinomycetes (Table 4) was observed in the compost
teas incubated under aerobic conditions (Table 4) where
as under anaerobic condition 17 different types of bacteria (Table 5) were observed. No fungal colonies were
produced under anaerobic conditions. However 11
different fungi were observed (Table 6) under aerobic
incubation. The number of isolates of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi that were present
in each compost tea, and their percent occurrences were
described in the respective tables.
Compost teas in which vermicompost was used as
raw material, that is CT1, CT2 and CT3 had actinomycetes under aerobic condition of incubation. CT1 had
large populations of actinomycetes AAS1 (99X 106 cfu/
ml) with a frequency of 39.76%.
The percent occurence of aerobic bacteria in different compost teas varied from 80.8% (CT5) to 30.16%
(CT1). Highest percent occurrence was recorded in CT5
80.8% followed by CT 3 with 80.69% respectively. The
remaining compost teas were significantly different
from each other. Actinomycetes was occurred with a
frequency of 18.77% in CT1 followed by CT2 (6.6%)
and CT3 (3.16%) which significantly different from each
other. The percent occurrence of fungi was varied from
0.91 (CT7) to 0.05 (CT1). Percent occurrence of anaerobic
bacteria was varied from 64.24% (CT8) to 15.82% (CT3).
CT1 (52.72%) and CT6 (52.29%) were on par in recording
the similar percent occurrence of anaerobic bacteria.
Percent occurence of different microbiota is varying widely. However, the frequency of aerobic bacteria
was highest followed by anaerobic bacteria and actinomycetes.
CT1 is vermicompost, CT2 and CT3 were vermicompost amended with P. fluorescens and T. viride respectively (Table 4). All the 3 bacteria isolated from CT1

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

were isolated from CT3 also, but ABS1 was eliminated
in the CT2. Apart from these 3 aerobic bacterial isolates,
ABS4 (P. fluorescens) and ABS5 were present in CT2.
ABS5 and ABS6 were isolated from CT3. P. fluorescens
might be having the antagonistic nature against ABS1.
In turn, elimination of ABS1 or growth promoting effect
of P. fluorescens on others or both may be the reasons for
the appearance of ABS5 in CT2. The 3 bacteria ABS1,
ABS2 and ABS3 that were present in CT3 were recorded
less percent occurrence compared to CT1, Indicating
the antagonistic nature of T. viride on these strains and
promoting effect on ABS5 and ABS6.
The population of actinomycete decreased drastically in CT2 and CT3 compared to CT1, indicating the
possible antagonistic activity of Trichoderma viride and
Pseudomonas fluorescens upon this.
When compared to Percent occurrence of ABS7
was increased in CT5, however it was decreased in CT6
(Table 4). Amendment of the composts with biocontrol
agent might have affected the increased or decreased
frequencies of the strain. But the percent occurrence of
ABS8 was increased in both CT5 and CT6 indicating both
Pseudomonas fluorescens and Trichoderma viride showed a
beneficial effect on this strain.
The number of aerobic bacterial strains and their
percent occurence were inconsistent and no significant
relation existed among CT7, CT8 and CT9. Two strains
ABS 13 and ABS14 were common in CT7, CT8 and
CT9 (Table 4). However their population decreased in
compost teas made with the composts amended with P.
fluorescens and T. viride.
The 3 compost teas CT2, CT5 and CT7 were prepared from the composts amended with P. fluorescens.
Highest population of P. fluorescens was observed in CT5,
indicating that the bacterium multiplies effectively on
the substrate used for making the CT5. However, the
frequency of P. fluorescens was superior in CT8.
Number of anaerobic bacterial strains varied from
3 (CT1, CT2, CT7) to 2 (CT3, CT4, CT5, CT6, CT8, CT9)
(Table 5). Type of anaerobic bacterial strains and their
frequencies also varied in each compost tea. No significant relation was observed in the anaerobic bacterial
strains isolated from different compost teas. Among
the CT1, CT2 and CT3 compost teas AnBS2 and AnBS3
were common to CT1 and CT2. Among the CT4, CT5
and CT6 one anaerobic bacterial strain AnBS10 was
present in both CT5 and CT6. In case of CT7, CT8 and
CT9, AnBS14 was present in both CT7 and CT8.
Fungal strain FS3 that was isolated from CT3 was
identified as T. viride, added as an amendment in the
compost (Table 6). Fungal strain FS2 that was present
in CT4 was eliminated in CT5 and CT6. FS1, FS2, FS6
were commonly present in all the three compost teas
CT7, CT8 and CT9. The populatin and occurrence of

other isolates were inconsistent in them.

Antagonism of different microorganisms isolated from
compost teas against Alternaria alternata
The antagonism of these aerobic bacteria actinomycetes was tested by dual culture technique against A.
alternata and the percent inhibition of mycelial growth
and zone of inhibition were recorded (Table 7). The
data revealed that the actinoimycetes obtained from
the compost teas extracted from vermicompost as raw
material was significantly superior with 76% inhibition
of mycelial growth over other bacterial isolates. This recorded an inhibition zone of 7.5mm. Among the bacterial
isolates ABS4 (73.34%) was significantly superior over
others followed by ABS15 (66.67%), ABS8 (60%) and
ABS12 (60%). The zone of inhibition formed by various
isolates varied from 0.5mm (ABS6, ABS7, ABS9, ABS14)
to 7.5mm (ABS4, ABS15). Isolates showing higher zone
of inhibition were significantly superior in inhibiting the
mycelial growth as well.
In the bacterial isolates isolated under anaerobic
incubation, AnBS7 (97.87%), AnBS11 (97.87%), AnBS3
(96.81%), AnBS9 (96.81%), AnBS1 (95.74%), which were
on par and significantly superior (Table 8) in inhibiting
the mycelial growth over others followed by AnBS17
(93.63%).
Among the eleven fungi FS3 (T. viride) was significantly superior (Table 9) over other treatments with
percent inhibition of 82.68% followed by FS2 with
80.00% inhibition of mycelial growth.
Antagonism of compost tea microbial consortia against
Alternaria alternata
In contrast with suppression that was observed
with individual microorganisms, the microbial consortia
of each compost tea showed low reduction on the mycelial growth of A. alternata. However the percent inhibition
varied from 6.98% (CT2) to 79.17% (CT7) (Table 1). The
differences among CT4, CT5, CT6, and CT8, CT9 were
on par. However the differences were significant among
other treatments.
DISCUSSION
The qualitative and quantitative estimates of
microbial population were carried out in compost teas
extracted from composts decomposed with different
raw materials without amending with biocontrol agents
and by amending with either P. fluorescens or T. viride.
Highest microbial population was noted in CT5 which
was amended with P. fluorescens while it was lowest in
CT7 which was not amended with any biocontrol agent.
Among the unamended treatments, composts
involving vermicompost had higher microbial load in
comparison with others. Addition of either P. fluorescens
or T. viride to composts having vermicompost has sig-

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

nificantly reduced the microbial load may be due to the
antagonistic activity by P. fluorescens and T. viride to the
native microflora present in the compost. In contrast
there was an increase in microbial population in CT5
and CT6 which were amended with P. fluorescens and T.
viride respectively in composts consisting of dung and
paddy straw. In case of compost made from dung, neem
powder and fish meal amended with P. fluorescens did
not show any increase in microflora, where as there was
a significant increase in microflora in compost amended
with T.viride.
The results indicating that, although the basic ingredients are similar the microbial population present
in different compost teas need not be in correlation and
have a significant relationship. The amendments present
in them affect the population in several ways.
Scheuerell and Mahaffee (5) reported that among
all compost teas produced with or without additives,
there was no significant relationship of bacterial population, measured as active cells, total cells and colony
forming units to disease suppression. The main causes
for these significant variations are aeration and additives
in compost tea production.
Compost and compost tea which were highly
unstable and have many components that were under
the influence of many factors may effect the microbial
population in the compost tea (7, 8, 5). For non aerated
compost teas produced with or without additives, the
population of total bacterial cells may be significantly
greater than the population determined by dilution
plating, indicating the majority of cells would not grow
under the culture dilutions imposed. However in aerobic
compost tea made with bacterial or fungal additives,
bacterial population as colony forming units were statistically equivalent or greater than the total bacterial
cell. The significant difference in the population with
different additives is likely due to the observations that
a slightly greater density of bacteria that was localized
at the outer edge (5).
A review of literature show, a great variety and
high number of aerobic, thermophilic, heterophilic
microbes (8), Clastridium sp (9), Bacillus subtilis and B.
cereus (10), Actinomycetes (11, 12, 13), fluorescent pesudomonads (12, 13), chitolytic bacteria (13, 14), endospore
forming bacteria (12) and fungi like A. niger (10, 15), A.
flavus, Mucor, Fusarium sp, Rhizoctonia sp, A. fumigatus
and A.nidulans (15), Trichoderma harzianum (10), Penicillium (16), many fungi (12, 13) were predominant in the
composts.
The composts differ from each other both qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to their microbial composition (13). And bacteria were found as
dominating group compared to other groups like fungi
actinomycetes, Yeasts etc., (17, 18). The other expected

reason for variation of microbial population qualitatively and quantitatively in the same group is the method
of compost preparation. While preparing the compost
turning of compost was done only once to maintain the
minimal aerobic conditions, as anaerobic compost teas
were proved more effective in managing the diseases
on various crops. While decomposition, type of microorganisms varies from time to time in each compost.
This is due to the available food material and nutrients
in the compost for development of a particular group
of microorganisms. The microorganisms prevailing in
the compost at a particular time will be eliminated after
complete exploitation of their required nutrients. Then
another group of microorganism start growing and multiplying in the remaining substrate and this continues.
So, to assume the kind of microorganisms is inconsistent in compost, which is a highly dynamic ecosystem.
Apart from the substrate, temperature and moisture also
plays role in the occurrence of microorganisms. Toxins,
enzymes, metabolites, secondary metabolites and extra
cellular materials produced by living and dead cells
which are highly diversified in their chemical nature
may also play role in forming the microbial composition
in composts.
While testing antagonism of microbiota Actinomycetes were proved superior over others. Saha, (11)
reported that at different phases of composting of paddy straw a thermophilic microbe Actinomyces sp. was
found and it was inhibitory to soilborne plant pathogens, e.g Fusarium oxysporum, Helminthosporium sativum
(Cochliobolus sativus), Rhizoctonia solani. Bacteria having
strong chitinolytic activity were isolated from composted coastal soils and the bacteria inhibited the mycelial
growth of Rhizoctonia solani KACC-40111 and Fusarium
oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici KACC-40037 on PDAC plate
after inoculation (14).
The anaerobic bacterials trains are more effective
compared with aerobic isolates indicating the ability of
anaerobic strain to produce the more potent antibiotics
that could easily suppress the pathogen. Of the 180 isolates, including 31 actinomycetes, 64 fungi, 44 fluorescent
pseudomonads and 41 endospore forming bacteria, 45
isolates obtained from composts made with chicken,
sheep, cow and horse manures significantly inhibited
the growth of P. cinnamomi on plates (13).
The individual microorganisms isolated from the
compost teas were effective against A. alternata. However, when all the microorganism present in compost
teas were tested together for their antagonistic activity
against A. alternata thus exhibited reduced antagonism
(Table 1). The cross antagonism of micro organisms
present in each compost tea on one another may have
resulted in the minimal inhibition of A. alternata mycelial
growth. The bacterial, actinomycetes and fungal strains

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

that were able to suppress the other microbes may not
be effective against A. alternata. On the other hand, those
that could inhibit the pathogen in the culture might have
failed to overcome the competition for nutrients and
may be vulnerable to the antibiosis due to other strains
present in the culture flask. The antagonistic nature of
total of microorganisms present in particular compost
tea is more important than their individual effect in suppressing the pathogen. Although the effective bacterial,
actinomycetes and fungal strains could overcome the
antagonism and competition of the other strains present
in the compost tea, they must be adopted and survive on
the phylloplane of the crop. Unless which their effective
antagonistic nature is of seldom useful for combating
the plant disease. However they definitely have a lot of
potential as antagonists against plant pathogens. The
microbes adopted to the phylloplane can be further
developed by phylloplane enrichment technique. So that
they can come as a strong, antagonist that could combat
a wide range of plant diseases.
CONCLUSION
The compost teas having a wide range of microflora in them like bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes etc.,
Their population and occurrence is varying depending
on the several factors discussed above. However, most
of the microflora are potential antagonists against the
A. alternata. Individually, actinomycetes and anaerobic
bacterial isolates were proved more effective than others.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to extend their gratitude
to ANGR Agricultural University for providing the
financial and infrastructural support.

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a thermophilic microbe against Rhizoctonia solani, J.
mycopathol. res. 40 (2002) 121-123.
12. I. P. Aryantha, R. Cross, D. I. Guest, Suppression of
Phytophthora cinnamomi in potting mixes amended
with uncomposted and composted animal manures,
Phytopath. 90 (2000) 775-782.
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antagonistic inhibition on Phytophthora cinnamomi
rands by microbial agents isolated from manure
composts, Plant Path. J. 5 (2006) 291-298.
14. S. H. Lee, W. S. Kim, K. Y. Kim, T. H. Kim, H. J.
Whangbo, . S. J. WooJin, C Effect of chitin compost
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J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

11

Table 1: Percent occurrence of different groups of microorganisms in compost teas

consortia of compost teas against Alternaria alternata
S.No
Compost Total
Percent occurrence of aerobic microbes
tea
population
Bacteria
Fungi
Actinomycetes
(--X 106
cfu*/ml)
527.3
30.16
0.05
18.77
1
CT-1
257.49
54.76
0.19
6.6
2
CT-2
126.41
80.69
0.33
3.16
3
CT-3
222.41
45.42
0.18
0
4
CT-4
830.47
80.8
0.06
0
5
CT-5
300.26
47.7
0.09
0
6
CT-6
7
CT-7
100.45
41.82
0.91
0
101.18
35.58
0.17
0
8
CT-8
315.45
49.14
0.15
0
9
CT-9
5.28
0.999
0.24
1.25
CD (0.05)
1.76
0.34
0.08
0.42
Sem+

and Antagonistic activity of microbial

% Occurrence Antagonistic
activity-%
of anaerobic
inhibition of
bacteria
mycelial growth
52.72
24.81 (29.86) **
38.45
6.98 (15.29)
15.82
14.73 (22.55)
54.4
44.96 (42.09)
19.15
45.74 (42.539)
52.29
44.93 (42.07)
57.74
79.17 (62.82)
64.24
19.38 (26.10)
50.72
20.16 (26.66)
1.07
1.47
0.36
0.42

* colony forming units; **:Values in parentheses are angular transformed values;

CT1: Vermicompost; CT2: Vermicompost + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1 %; CT3: Vermicompost + Trichoderma viride1 % ; CT4: Dung
75% + Paddy Straw 25%; CT5: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1%; CT6: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25%
+Trichoderma viride1% ; CT7: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5%; CT8: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% +
Pseudomonas fluorescens1%; CT9: Dung75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% + Trichoderma viride1%

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

12

Table 2: Characters of aerobic, anaerobic bacteria and actinomycete isolated from different compost
teas
Colony characters
Isolate
Gram
Shape
Reacti
on
(-)
Bacilli
2.5-4mm, circular, white/opaque, shiny against light, convex
ABS1*
(+)
Bacilli
3-6mm, spreading type colony, white, circular to irregular, opaque,
ABS2
no shining against light
ABS3
(-)
Bacilli
1-1.5mm, yellow, circular, opaque, shiny to light, convex
(-)
Bacilli
3-4 mm, cream colour, circular to irregular, shiny, convex to flat
ABS4
(-)
Bacilli
1-2mm circular, rose, opaque, shiny against light, convex
ABS5
(+)
Cocci
3-5mm, white, center raised, circular to irregular shape
ABS6
(-)
Cocci
2-6mm, white, circular, shining against light, convex
ABS7
(+)
Short bacilli
5-10mm, dull white, opaque, entire edge, no shine to light, flat
ABS8
(-)
Bacilli
1-3 mm, fingerlike, white, flat, shiny to light
ABS9
(-)
Bacilli
2-3mm, Rose, circular, raised shiny to light, opaque
ABS10
(-)
Cocci
10mm,white, fingerlike edge, white colony
ABS11
(+)
Staphylococci/ 5-7mm, cream coloured, circular to irregular shape, smooth surface
ABS12
Diplococci
(+)
Bacilli
2-3mm size, rose coloured, circular, convex
ABS13
(-)
Staphylobacilli 1-2mm, yellow, circular, convex
ABS14
(+)
Cocci
3-4mm white, circular, entire edge, raised raised, ring like
ABS15
appearance
(+)
Bacilli
2-3mm, smooth, white, circular, shiny, convex
ABS16
(-)
Cocci
1-1.5mm minute rough, dough coloured
ABS17
(+)
Cocci
1-2 mm, white, irregular edge, rough surface, opaque
AAS1@
(+)
Bacilli
2-3mm, brickred, circular, entire edge, dark red
AnBS1#
(+)
Cocci
5-8mm slimy, smooth shiny, opaque, convex
AnBS2
(-)
Bacilli
1-6mm, dull white, ctrer like rough, lobed edge
AnBS3
(-)
Cocci
2-7mm, ircular, raised flat opaque, not shiy
AnBS4
(-)
Cocci
1mm, pure white, opaque raised, not shiny, convex
AnBS5
(+)
Bacilli
5-10mm, finger like, circular
AnBS6
(+)
Bacilli
2mm, white, shiny, circular, convex
AnBS7
(+)
Cocci
4-10mm, rough surface, irregular edge
AnBS8
(+)
Bacilli
1-2mm, small rough, irregular, white
AnBS9
(-)
Bacilli
10mm, irregular, dull white, spreadning, not shiny
AnBS10
AnBS11
(+)
Cocci
1-5mm, dough colour
(-)
Bacilli
2-3mm, Yellow, circular, convex
AnBS12
(-)
Cocci
2-3mm dough colour, convex
AnBS13
(-)
Streptococcus
5-8mm, flat, not shiny, not raised
AnBS14
(-)
Bacilli
3-8mm, white crater, lobed edge, opaque, not shiny
AnBS15
AnBS16
(+)
Bacilli,
Big colonies, spreading , finger like edges
(-)
Bacilli
2-3mm, small white. Not circular, not shiny, rough surface
AnBS17
*: Aerobic bacterial strain; @: Aerobic actinomycete strain; #: Anaerobic bacterial strain

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

Table 3: Characters of fungi isolated from different compost teas

S.No
Isolate Scientific name
Characteristics
FS1*
Pycnidial fungus
Black, 1-2.5cm size, not cottony,
1
rough, raised, canckrous at center,
margins flat spreading towards
outside with hypha
FS2
2
Aspergillus flavus
FS3
3
Trichoderma viride
FS4
Aspergillus sp
Brownish colonies with profuse
4
conidial heads
FS5
Unidentified
White cottony like
5
FS6
Unidentified
1cm, white colonies, flat colonies
6
FS7
Aspergillus sp
Yellowish colonies
7
FS8
8
Rhizopus stolonifer
FS9
Aspergillus sp
Greenish thin colonies with
9
abundant spore mass
FS10
Unidentified
Rose coloured aerial hyphae, fine
10
mycelium
FS11
Unidentified
4-6mm, small colony, Lemon
11
yellow
*: Fungal strain

13

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

14

Table 4: Effect of composition of compost on the population and occurrence of aerobic bacteria and actinomycetes in compost teas
SNo Isolate CT1
CT2
CT3
CT4
CT5
CT6
CT7
CT8
CT9
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
105 42.17 81 76.42 1
ABS1
43 17.27 50 31.45 14 13.21 2
ABS2
2
0.8
29 18.24 1
0.94 3
ABS3
59 37.11 410 61.1 28 77.78 4
ABS4
4.0 2.515 2
1.88 5
ABS5
4
3.77 6
ABS6
96 95.05 237 35.32 49 34.27 7
ABS7
3
2.97 23 3.43 90 62.94 8
ABS8
1
0.99 1
0.15 3
2.1
9
ABS9
1
0.99 1
0.7
10
ABS10 3
7.14 2
1.29
11
ABS11 9
21.43 8
5.16
12
ABS12 10 23.81 1
2.78 1
0.65
13
ABS13 20 47.62 1
2.78 2
1.29
14
ABS14 6
16.67 28 18.06
15
ABS15 16
ABS16 57 36.77
57 36.77
17
ABS17 3.77 18
AAS1 99 39.76 17 10.69 4
ABS1 to ABS17 : Aerobic bacterial strains isolated from compost teas; AAS1: Actinomycete strain isolated from compost teas; 1: Microbial
population (--X 106cfu/ml);
2: Percent occurrence; CT1: Vermicompost; CT2: Vermicompost + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1 %; CT3:
Vermicompost + Trichoderma viride1 % ; CT4: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25%; CT5: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% + Pseudomonas
fluorescens 1%; CT6: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% +Trichoderma viride 1% ; CT7: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5%; CT8:
Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% + Pseudomonas fluorescens1%; CT9: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% +
Trichoderma viride 1%

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

15

Table 5: Effect of composition of compost on population and occurrence of anaerobic bacteria in compost teas
SNo Isolate
CT1
CT2
CT3
CT4
CT5
CT6
CT7
CT8
1
2
1 2
1 2
1
2
1
2
1 2
1 2
1 2
26 9.35 1
5
1
AnBS1
54 19.42 30 30.30 2
AnBS2
198 71.22 36 36.36 3
AnBS3
33 33.34 4
AnBS4
1
5
5
AnBS5
18 90
6
AnBS6
107 88.43 7
AnBS7
14 11.57 8
AnBS8
127 79.87 9
AnBS9
32 20.13 73 46.49 10
AnBS10 84 53.5 11
AnBS11 11 18.97 12
AnBS12 22 37.93 13
AnBS13 14
AnBS14 25 43.1 8 12.31
57 87.69
15
AnBS15 16
AnBS16 17
AnBS17 -

CT9
1
45
115

2
28.13
71.88

AnBS1 to AnBS17 : Anaerobic bacterial strains isolated compost teas; 1: Microbial population (--X 106cfu/ml); 2: Percent occurrence; CT1:
Vermicompost; CT2: Vermicompost + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1 %; CT3: Vermicompost + Trichoderma viride1 % ; CT4: Dung 75% + Paddy
Straw 25%; CT5: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1%; CT6: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% +Trichoderma viride1%
; CT7: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5%; CT8: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% + Pseudomonas fluorescens1%;
CT9: Dung75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% + Trichoderma viride1%

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

SNo Isolate
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

FS1
FS2
FS3
FS4
FS5
FS6
FS7
FS8
FS9
FS10
FS11

16

Table 6: Effect of composition of compost on the population and occurrence of fungi in compost teas
CT1
CT2
CT3
CT4
CT5
CT6
CT7
CT8
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
0.29 96.67 0.48 97.96 0.4 95.24 0.38 95 0.46 97.87 0.24 88.89 0.41 91.12 0.11
0.01 3.34 0.01 2.04 0.01 2.39 0.01 2.5 0.01 2.23 0.01
0.01 2.39 0.01 3.7
0.01 2.5 0.01 2.13 0.01 3.7
0.01 3.7
0.01
0.01 2.23 0.02
0.01 2.23 0.01 2.23 0.01
0.01
0.001

2
64.33
5.85
5.85
11.7
5.85
5.85
0.59

CT9
1
0.42
0.01
0.01
0.01
0.01
-

2
91.3
2.17
2.17
2.17
2.17
-

FS1 to FS11 : Fungal strains isolated from compost teas; 1: Microbial population (--X 106cfu/ml); 2: Percent occurrence; CT1: Vermicompost; CT2:
Vermicompost + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1 %; CT3: Vermicompost + Trichoderma viride 1 % ; CT4: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25%; CT5: Dung 75%
+ Paddy Straw 25% + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1%; CT6: Dung 75% + Paddy Straw 25% +Trichoderma viride 1% ; CT7: Dung 75% + Neem Powder
20% + Fish meal 5%; CT8: Dung 75% + Neem Powder 20% + Fish meal 5% + Pseudomonas fluorescens 1%; CT9: Dung75% + Neem Powder 20% +
Fish meal 5% + Trichoderma viride 1%

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

Table 7 : Antagonistic activity of Aerobic bacteria isolated

from compost teas against Alternaria alternata
Isolate
Percent Inhibition Zone of Inhibition
SNo
of mycelial growth
(mm)
ABS1**
49.44 (44.66)*
1.00
1
ABS2
57.34 (49.20)
1.75
2
ABS3
6.67 (14.93)
0.00
3
ABS4
73.34 (58.89)
7.50
4
ABS5
9.34 (17.77)
0.00
5
ABS6
22.67 (28.42)
0.50
6
ABS7
5.34 (13.32)
0.50
7
ABS8
60.00 (50.77)
4.50
8
ABS9
25.34 (30.21)
0.50
9
ABS10
53.34 (46.9)
1.50
10
ABS11
46.67 (43.07)
3.00
11
12
ABS12
60.00 (50.77)
1.00
ABS13
24.00 (29.32)
0.00
13
ABS14
36.00
(36.85)
0.50
14
ABS15
66.67 (54.72)
7.50
15
ABS16
17.34 (24.59)
0.00
16
17
ABS17
20.00 (26.55)
0.00
AAS1***
76.00 (60.65)
7.50
18
1.97
0.44
CD (0.05)
0.69
0.15
Sem+
* : Values in parentheses are angular transformed values;
** : ABS1 to ABS17 Aerobic Bacterial Strains isolated from compost
teas; *** : AAS1 Actinomycete strain;

17

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

Table 8: Antagonistic activity of bacterial strains

isolated under anaerobic
incubation from different
compost teas against the Alternaria alternata
S.NO
Isolate
Percent Inhibition
of mycelial growth
AnBS1**
95.74 (78.29)*
1
AnBS2
76.60 (61.05)
2
AnBS3
96.81 (79.76)
3
AnBS4
81.91 (64.81)
4
AnBS5
20.21 (26.70)
5
6
AnBS6
56.38 (48.65)
AnBS7
97.87 (81.74)
7
AnBS8
91.91 (72.81)
8
AnBS9
96.81 (79.76)
9
AnBS10
90.43 (71.97)
10
AnBS11
97.87 (81.74)
11
AnBS12
93.62 (75.37)
12
AnBS13
53.34 (46.9)
13
AnBS14
90.43 (71.97)
14
AnBS15
90.43 (71.97)
15
AnBS16
67.02 (54.93)
16
AnBS17
93.63 (75.38)
17
2.38
CD (0.05)
0.82
Sem+
* :Values in parentheses are angular transformed values
** :AnBS1 to AnBS17:Anaerobic Bacterial Strains isolated
from compost teas

18

J. Cell Life Sci. 1:1 (2013) 6-19

Table 9: Antagonistic activity of fungi of

different compost teas on the mycelial
growth of Alternaria alternata
S.No
Isolate
Percent Inhibition of
mycelial growth
FS1**
11.12 (19.46)*
1
FS2
80.00 (63.52)
2
FS3
82.68 (65.34)
3
FS4
68.56 (55.87)
4
FS5
46.67 (43.07)
5
FS6
67.78 (55.39)
6
FS7
36.23 (36.99)
7
FS9
63.67 (52.91)
8
FS10
21.45 (27.58)
9
FS11
18.12 (64.26)
10
2.35
CD (0.05)
0.79
Sem+
*: Fungal starin

19