Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage Fizzles, Isolated from Microbacterium foliorum

Microbacteriophage Fizzles has a 62,078-bp linear double-stranded DNA genome sequence, predicted to contain 104 protein-coding genes. Fizzles is a Siphoviridae actinobacteriophage isolated from an ant hill soil sample collected in Stephenville, TX. Microbacteriophage Fizzles has >83.6% nucleotide identity with microbacteriophages Squash and Nike.

Study The Consequence of Fly Ash on Some of Physical Soil Characteristics

Study the consequence of adding fly ash (FA) on the Atterberg limit; cohesions and internal friction of angles of the verified soil was the aim of this search. The tested soil according to the system of unified soil classification was (CH) group. Fly ash (FA) was added to the tested soil samples in 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 & 18 % by weight of samples. This study shows that once the tested soil mixed with (FA); the values of cohesion reduced; while the values of the angles of internal frictions increases. The drop in the soil sample cohesion when mixed with 18% of (FA) was 34%, were noteworthy increase in the angles of internal friction. For all soil samples as the percentages of adding (FA) increase, the decrease in the index of plasticity amounts increase also at different rates. The adding of (FA) produced a reduction in the liquid limits; plastic limits and henceforth the plasticity index of the tested soil sample at rate of 43%, 48% and 37% correspondingly. The plasticity index losses took place at the first 3%, at a lesser rate, then the rate increased at 18% of additive and because nearly constant.

Development and Performance Evaluation of a Soil Moisture Sensor

This study was aimed at developing a soil moisture sensor to effectively monitor moisture level for optimum crop growth. The sensor was made using a programmed Arduino microcontroller. It is attached to a sensing panel with two probes made of nickel that measures the volumetric content of water in soil. The probes were non-corrosive and robust material suitable for use in wet surfaces. The developed sensor was tested and evaluated. The two legged Lead (probes) goes into the soil where water content was to be measured by passing current through the soil, and then reads the resistance to get the moisture level. Nine different soil classification samples (Sandy Clay, Fine Sandy Loam, Sandy Loam, Salty Loam, Loamy Sand, Coarse Sand, Fine Sand, Sandy Clay Loam and clay soils) at different depths (3, 6, 9, 12 and 14.3 cm) were used to analyse the moisture meter at three different portion of each soil sample. Results obtained indicates that there was a progressive increase in moisture levels the more the sensor was being dipped into the soil. Results obtained also shows that all the nine soil samples but one (Silt Loam Soil Sample) analysed were within acceptable range of accuracy (0.1 - 5.0 %). The moisture sensor whose cost was approximately #22,300:00 was found to be effective, high precision at less efforts and a suitable guide for farmer for determining soil moisture levels.Keywords- Moisture, Probe, Sensor, Soil Classification

Geotechnical and microstructural properties of cement-treated laterites stabilized with rice husk ash and bamboo leaf ash

This study investigated the geotechnical and microstructural properties of cement-treated laterites stabilized with rice husk ash and bamboo leaf ash. In going about the tests, the soil sample was subjected to compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and preliminary tests; such as specific gravity, particle size distribution and Atterbergs limits to determine its index properties. Thereafter, the soil sample was mixed with cement at varying proportions of 0–12% at 2% intervals and also, separately mixed with bamboo leaf ash (BLA) and rice husk ash (RHA) in proportions of 0–16% at 2% intervals. The mixes at each stage were subjected to compaction, Atterberg limits and CBR tests. The highest values were 66.7% and 54.8% for unsoaked and soaked CBR at 6% cement+8% BLA and 78.5% and 63.8% for unsoaked and soaked CBR at 8% cement+8% RHA. Samples at these optimal CBR values were subjected into Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) tests. Results showed that new compounds were formed and there were changes in the microstructural arrangements. It can therefore be concluded that pozzolanic and cement hydration reactions actually took place in the course of stabilization.

A Study on Isolation and Identification of Exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing Bacteria from Soil

Polysaccharides are important potent molecules with their structural and compositional complexity which led to wide range of applications in various industries. The exopolysaccharides of microbial origin are released in response to extreme environmental conditions for the purpose of survival. The present study focuses on the isolation of exopolysaccharide producing bacteria from the soil sample and oil contaminated soil sample. Screening for the EPS production by the isolates is determined by the dry weight determination of precipitates of EPS and quantitative estimation of glucose content of EPS by PhenolSulphuric acid method. In the present study, out of 5 bacterial isolates isolated on screening, Lactobacillus sps and Pseudomonas sps. isolates produced the precipitates of EPS whose dry weight was determined to be 0.09g and 0.17g respectively. Further, glucose concentration of EPS was quantitatively determined. The glucose content of Lactobacillus sps. isolate was 0.1125mg/ml and Pseudomonas sps. isolate is 0.2875mg/ml. The EPS producing isolates were further grown in the presence of carbon sources like Glucose, Lactose, Maltose and Sucrose to determine the best utilizable carbon for their growth. The most utilizable carbon source for maximum growth of EPS producing isolates was determined to be sucrose with 2% concentration. All the 5 bacterial isolates were screened for their ability of antibiotic resistance. The EPS producing isolates, Lactobacillus sps, Pseudomonas sps were found to be resistant towards all the antimicrobial agents owing to the presence of EPS protective layer around their cell wall than non-EPS producing isolates. Keywords: Exopolysaccharide, Screening, Carbon sources, Antibiotic resistance.

Isolation and characterization of nitrogen-fixing bacteria from soil sample in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Biological nitrogen (N2) fixation is very essential for limiting the growth of plants and agricultural crops. The present study was conducted to potentially isolate N2-fixing bacteria from garden soil sample at Stamford University Bangladesh, Siddeswari, Dhaka. Here, we used culture-dependent method to perform this experiment. Firstly, we collected garden soil sample, diluted and inoculated in N2-free Jensen’s media by maintaining the aseptic procedure. We obtained 5 different colonies from soil samples. We cultured the isolates in N2-free Jensen’s media containing bromothymol blue (BMB) and also, in Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar (YEMA) media containing congo red to confirm nitrogen fixation capacity. We collected the colony characteristics of all the isolates. Only 1A isolate showed good growth after 24 h of incubation among all the isolates. We performed ammonification test with Nessler reagent to confirm N2-fixing ability for our selected isolates. The 1A isolate was positive in ammonification test. Culture, microscopy and biochemical tests were performed to identify isolate 1A. This isolate was presumptively identified as Azotobacter sp. In the present study, Azotobacter sp. that was isolated from the soil sample was found to be a potential N2-fixing bacterium. Isolate 1A can be used for N2-fixation to boost production of crops. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.11 (1) 2021: 11-13

Sustainable ground improvement method using encapsulated polypropylene (PP) column reinforcement

This study investigates the effectiveness of encapsulated polypropylene (PP) column in enhancing the undrained shear strength of kaolin (soft clay). The usage of PP in treating problematic soil is a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative compared to other materials. The installation of granular column can be done by using vibro-replacement method. Several geotechnical tests to determine the properties of materials were conducted. The shear strength of treated kaolin sample was examined by using Unconfined Compression Test (UCT). There are seven (7) batches of soil sample in total which included a control sample, three (3) batches of 14 mm and three (3) batches of 20 mm diameter PP column. Different diameters of PP column were examined with 60 mm, 80 mm and 100 mm height, respectively with soil sample of 50 mm in diameter and 100 mm in height. The shear strength improvement of kaolin is 33.82%, 46.51%, and 49.88% when implanted with a PP column with a 7.84 area replacement ratio and 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 penetration ratio. The soft soil treated using 16.00 area replacement ratio with 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 penetration ratio has a shear strength increment of 25.22%, 33.39% and 37.59% respectively. In short, the shear strength improvement of the kaolin clay depends on the parameter of the PP column used to reinforce the sample.

New molecular and phenotypic data on Mayamaea Arida (Bock) Lange-Bertalot (Bacillariophyta)

Mayamaea arida (Bock) Lange-Bertalot is a rare species, previously recorded from four locations in Europe only. The aim of this study is to report additional molecular, phenotypic and geographic data on M. arida. The strain of this species was isolated from the soil sample collected on 04.08.2018 in Iturup Island (Sakhalin Region, Russia) in Haplic Cambisol. The strain was identified using light and scanning electron microscopy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the M. arida was a member of the strongly supported Mayamaea generic clade and resolved as a basal lineage in the subclade comprised by M. atomus and M. terrestris. New data on partial rbcL plastid gene, chloroplasts morphology and nucleus, lower limit of the cell length, higher number of striae in 10 urn, shape index (length/width), teratological forms and distribution of species are presented.