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.