Diversity and plant growth promoting potential of microbiota associated with sugarcane in Pakistan

Summary

The major aim of the research described in this thesis was to assess the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere and phyllosphere of wildtype and transgenic sugarcane, and to evaluate to what extent members of the sugarcane microbiota can be employed as biofertilizers for sustainable agriculture. Such plant growth promoting bacteria help in plant growth and root development with minimal adverse effects to the environment as compared to chemical fertilizer applications. Furthermore, with the aim of developing new sugarcane varieties characterized by improved tolerance against abiotic stresses, transgenic crops can help in utilization of stress-affected land with concomitant increase in sugarcane yield and sustainability of production processes. Research in this thesis characterized the effect of such transgenic crops on plant-associated microbiota.