Isolation and Screening of chitinase producing endophytic bacteria from Datura metal L.

Endophytes are endosymbiont, often a bacterium or fungus that lives within a plant for atleast part of its life cycle without causing apparent disease. Apart from the role of endophytes in host growth, nutrient acquisition, which decrease biotic stresses by enhancing plant resistance to insects, pathogens and herbivores. Replacement of chemical pesticides by alternate control measures is expected to make a significant contribution for the protection of human health. Chitin and chitinolytic enzyme are gaining importance for their biotechnological application, especially the chitinases exploited in agriculture fields to control pests/pathogens. In this view, present study initiated to isolate and screen the chitinolytic endophytic bacteria from Datura metel L. The bacterial isolates obtained will be very useful for the production of chitinase which can be employed for the biocontrol of harmful insects and pathogens. This study presents a first time report of chitinase producing endophytic bacteria from Datura metel L.