Aims:In this paper we conducted a laboratory experiment to assess the biological characters and maturity level of three organic materials: filter cake (FC), spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and fermented grass (FG), through microbial activity and phytotoxicity.Methodology and results:Each sample was determined for physicochemical parameters, microbial activity and phytotoxicity. Microorganism population was counted by spreading plate method and microbial activities were tested by measuring fluorescein diacetate (FDA) hydrolysis and dehydrogenase activity (DHA). The phytotoxicity evaluation by seed germination was tested on Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle),Abelmoschus esculentus (Okra) and Oryza sativa (Rice). The results showed that all substrates have suitable physicochemical values that could be used as soil amendments. These organic matters are a rich source of microorganisms (>107 CFU/g), especially plant growth promoting bacteria (ranging from 104 to 106CFU/g). The high value of FDA (ranging from 1.609 to 1.621 mg/g) and DHA activity (ranging from 153.95 to 179.92 μg/g)suggested a high degree of microbial activity in the organic amendment samples. Combining with germination index values in seed germination, most GI values indicate non-toxicity of those substrates, with the exception of fermented grass in germination of H.sabdariffa.Conclusion, significance and impact of study:The result from this study proposes that these substrates can be considered as potential amendments to support soil property.

Aims: The aims of this study were to screen for cellulose degradation activity from actinomycetes using agar plate method, detect β-glucosidase activity, morphology and molecular taxonomy study. Methodology and results: Preliminary screening for cellulose degrading Actinomycete was done on the carboxymethyl cellulose agar (CMC agar) and detected by flooding with gram iodine. It was found that 190 isolates were cellulase producing actinomycetes. Actinomycete isolate CDF2L1D13 showed maximum clear zone around the colony and the highest hydrolysis capacity value was 3.93. β-glucosidase activity was examined by measuring the amount of paranitrophenol (pNP) librated by Tako method. Study on comparison of the enzyme activity in CMC broth with alternative broth was performed. The highest β-glucosidase activity was found on alternative production medium that supplemented rice bran as a carbon source. β-glucosidase activity was 0.401 U/mL. The optimum pH of alternative production medium for producing β-glucosidase was at pH value 7 and incubated at 30 °C. Isolate CDF2L1D13 was antagonistic actinomycete against rice blast pathogen (Pyricularia oryzae). The character of this isolate was showed white color of substrate mycelium, white color of aerial mycelium, gray spore and spiral spore chain. Actinomycete isolate CDF2L1D13 was phylogenetically similar to Streptomyces osmaniensis. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The result from this study indicated that Streptomyces osmaniensis has the potential on β-glucosidase production and it is antagonistic actinomycete against Pyricularia oryzae.
Actinobacteria

Aims: The objective of this research was to study the effect of bio-liquid organic fertilizer on the growth of Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb seedlings (30 days old) in the pot experiment. Methodology and results: For the production of bio-liquid fertilizers, distillery slop; molasses and bio-methane waste water were fermented with plant growth promoting bacteria, which had potentials for nitrogen fixing, phosphate solubilizing and potassium solubilizing properties. It was found that treatment no. 13 (molasses + three bacterial isolates (PGPB), 30 days of fermentation) presented the best result on the growth parameters of D. alatus Roxb including root length (21.67 cm), shoot height (20.33 cm), root fresh weight (1.49 g), shoot fresh weight (3.61 g) and total biomass (4.13 g). Moreover, using liquid organic fertilizer produced from molasses supplemented with bacteria had higher growth-promoting effects on D. alatus than the effective microorganisms (EM). Conclusion, significance and impact of study To covert agricultural residues to the valuable product was the aim of this work. In our experiment, we found that molasses and bio-methane waste water were suitable for using as a material to produce liquid organic fertilizers which were beneficial for promoting growth of D. alatus seedlings.