Evaluating biochemical and pharmacological properties of Curcuma longa L. grown organically in two locations of Odisha, India: In vitro study

Abstract

Organic farmers use nitrogen-fixing cover crops, herbicides, and biological fertilizers derived chiefly from animal and plant wastes. Curcumin levels are higher in this turmeric variety than in other types with differing pharmacological effects. Growing concerns about the safety of chemical fertilizers have heightened the need to identify locally adapted microbial strains that can be employed as a growth-promoting inoculum. Although research on the microbial diversity of the soil in Kandhamal and Koraput, India, was published, there is still a lack of information about the microbial community of the turmeric that is indigenous to these regions. This research compares and contrasts organically grown turmeric's growth-promoting and antibacterial activities with normally developed turmeric. This is a preliminary study that focuses on the microbiota communities of the study region. In vitro results showed that these properties have been shown to positively affect the development and nutritional content of studied turmeric plants; hence, they are regarded as key plant growth promoters. Using conventional and organic soil, both Kandhamal and Koraput rhizome sample was planted. The aqueous and methanolic rhizome extracts from both soil conditions were extracted. The Agar well diffusion method examined the rhizome extract's antibacterial activity. Bacteria were isolated and characterized from the rhizosphere and conducted various biochemical experiments. When tested against nine human pathogenic microorganisms, rhizomes harvested with vermicompost showed significantly increased antibacterial activity. The rhizospheric bacteria isolated from the organic soil region also help promote plant growth and development and provide adequate nutrients for growth and development. In every single experiment, the organically produced rhizome yielded superior results. The present study concludes that organic turmeric showed better and more effective results in increasing nutrient content, antibacterial activity and yield. Potential field applications necessitate more study into these rhizobacteria's molecular and functional characterization. Future improvements to biocontrol methods may come from studies examining the viability of deploying integrative, long-term bio-formulations in the field. The present research can potentially be used to investigate antibiotic synthesis by microbial communities in turmeric soil.