Metagenomic Study of Cotton Rhizosphere, Alwar, Rajasthan

Plant rhizospheres host diverse microbial ecosystems which drive important processes that support plant growth and development and protect plants against abiotic and biotic stress. Metagenomics is a versatile tool that can help analyse the phylogenetic and functional diversity of the microflora associated with the roots of the host plant and the dynamics of the role-play in overall health, growth and productivity. Cotton is an important cash crop for both, the Indian economy and rural livelihood. Despite the importance, the entire standing crop of one season is vulnerable to destruction because cotton is sensitive to heat, drought and salinity in addition to biotic stresses. In the present study, metagenomic and bioinformatic analyses is used to phylogenetically and functionally characterize the cotton rhizosphere soil from Alwar district located in the north-east of the state of Rajasthan. Further, in an attempt to study the beneficial effects of the root endophyte fungus, Piriformospora indica on cotton under high salinity and drought stress, part plot of field was seeded with the fungus for comparative analyses. The study lays the foundation for using this endophyte to alleviate the effects of abiotic stress on cotton and improve its productivity.