Species Composition and Diversity Dynamics of Actinomycetes in Arid and Semi-arid Salt Basins of Rajasthan.

Species composition and diversity dynamics of the actinomycetes was studied in five salt basins of arid and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan, India. A novel approach integrating molecular (16S rRNA gene) and diversity indices was applied to reveal species composition and diversity dynamics. Fifty-three actinomycetes isolates were isolated from five arid and semi-arid salt basins.

Actinomycetes isolates of arid zone of Indian Thar Desert and efficacy of their bioactive compounds against human pathogenic bacteria.

Twenty-six morphotypes of actinomycetes bacteria were isolated from the soils of arid zone of Indian Thar desert, Rajasthan. A significant and positive correlation was found between density of actinomycetes isolates and availability of nitrogen in sandy soil of arid zone suggesting the influence of soil nitrogen on occurrence and propagation of actinomycetes in this region. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the bacterial isolates belong to four actinomycetes genera, viz.