Emergence in mapping microbial diversity in tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) soil of Assam, North-East India: A novel approach

crop, extensively cultivated in Assam, North-East India. Exploitation and conservation of tea soil microflora is important in
minimizing the use of toxic chemicals since the later is known for its adverse effect on natural environment. Isolation and exploitation
of microbial resources of native tea growing soil are important mainly due to their immense potentiality in maintenance of
biogeochemical cycles, promotion of plant growth, inhibition of destructive pests and pathogens etc. Quantitative as well as
qualitative distribution of microbes in tea plantations of Assam, N. E. India, in the context of their geographical position and
geological and geochemical habitats are need to be worked out, since there is scarce information concurrently on the spatial and
temporal patterns of microbial diversity and distribution patterns in tea ecosystem by constructing maps. Geographic information
system (GIS) is useful in this regard to strengthen the microbial resource management strategies in tea.