Abatement of microbes and organic pollutants using heterostructural nanocomposites of rice straw CQDs with substituted strontium ferrite.

Sustainable use of agricultural waste still remains a challenging task. Herein, we used rice straw as a carbon precursor to prepare carbon quantum dots (CQDs) for photocatalytic applications. Nanocomposites of CQDs with Ti4+ and Mg2+ substituted strontium ferrite (Sr0.4Ti0.4Mg0.2Fe2O4.4) nanoparticles (NPs) in varying w:w ratio was synthesized by ultrasonication method. The successful formation of nanocomposites was confirmed by various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. The photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of NPs, CQDs and nanocomposites was comparatively evaluated using tetracycline hydrochloride, azure B, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as model pollutants. The CQDs-Sr0.4Ti0.4Mg0.2Fe2O4.4 nanocomposite with a w:w ratio of 2:1 showed excellent photocatalytic and antibacterial activity, with the degradation and inactivation efficiency ranging from 97.1% to 99.0% in presence of visible light. The increased specific surface area (117.2 m2/g), and reduction in band gap (2.48 eV to 2.09 eV) and decreased photoluminescence intensity of nanocomposites all corroborated these results. The impacting experimental parameters such as catalyst dose, pH and contact time were also examined. Quenching experiments confirmed that hydroxyl radicals ( radicals and holes (h+) played a vital role in the degradation of pollutants. The kinetics of photodegradation was explained by using the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Box-Behnken statistical modelling was used to optimize photocatalytic parameters. Results indicated that the nanocomposite of CQDs with Sr0.4Ti0.4Mg0.2Fe2O4.4 can serve as a promising photocatalyst for the removal of pollutants and microbes.

A Case Report of an Atypical Situation Arising During Typical Ryle's Tube Removal Procedure.

Placement of Ryle's tube is a rather blind outpatient procedure which has documented minor and major complications during insertion like nasal irritation, epistasis, pharyngeal trauma, tracheal trauma, intravascular penetration, intracranial penetration etc. However, removal of Ryle's tube is a rather straightforward procedure with rarely any complication. In this case report, we encountered an unusual situation of Ryle's tube being kinked and stuck at Left Fossa of Rosenmuller, near the skull base with subsequent erosion, emphasising the fact that forceful removal should not be attempted. Thorough examination and meticulous removal are necessitated in a stuck/kinked Ryle's tube to prevent dreaded complications.

Groundnut harbours non-nodulating non-rhizobial plant growth-promoting bacterial endophytes.

The present study was carried out to assess the growth-promoting ability of non-rhizobial endophytes in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea). Thirteen endophytic bacteria with different morphologies were isolated from the root and nodules of groundnut. These isolates significantly enhanced the growth of groundnut in sterilised vermiculite, though the isolates were unable to nodulate the host plant. The endophytic nature of these isolates was confirmed by their re-isolation from the sterilised and macerated roots of the plants. The isolates exhibited in vitro tricalcium phosphate and zinc solubilization, production of siderophores, auxins and ammonia as well as growth on different nitrogen-free media. The phosphate solubilization and auxin production varied from 50 to 196 and 17 to 71 µg/ml, respectively by the isolates. Based on phenotypic tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, four potential strains were identified as Klebsiella sp. R3, Pseudomonas putida R6, Klebsiella oxytoca GRE5 and Pseudomonas proteolytica GRE6. A significant increase in plant growth, chlorophyll content, nodule count and shoot nutrient content of groundnut was observed with these bacterial inoculations over the uninoculated control in greenhouse. The bacterial treatments resulted in increased N, P and K content in the shoot up to 87, 96 and 44%, respectively, over the control. Physico-chemical properties and available nutrient content of soil were also improved on bacterial inoculations. The results indicated that groundnut harbours beneficial non-rhizobial bacterial endophytes with the potential to be used as microbial inoculants in groundnut. Klebsiella oxytoca as a non-nodulating nodule endophyte of groundnut is reported for the first time.

Incidence, Diagnosis and Treatment of Otorhinolaryngological, Head and Neck Tuberculosis: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Introduction Tuberculosis is a disease of diversified presentation. It affects almost all organs in the body, and otorhinolaryngological, head and neck involvement is not an exception. Objective To increase awareness about the different clinical presentations of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck tuberculosis, the techniques employed to diagnose it, and to assess the response to the treatment. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 114 patients who presented primarily with otorhinolaryngological, head and neck tuberculosis. Routine blood investigations, chest radiographs, the tuberculin test, and sputum examination for the presence of acid-fast bacilli were performed in all cases. Site-specific investigations were performed in relevant cases only. The patients were treated according to the antitubercular treatment (ATT) regimen recommended by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), and they were followed up clinically two and six months after starting the ATT. Results Tubercular cervical lymphadenopathy was the most common clinical presentation (85.96%), followed by deep neck abscess (5.27%). Fine-needle aspiration cytology proved to be a reliable tool for the diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenopathy. Improvement at the end of 2 and 6 months of the ATT was observed in 90.35% and 96.50% of the cases respectively. Conclusion The diagnosis of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck tuberculosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion, and the ATT proved to be very effective in reducing the severity of the disease.

Perplexity of Preoperative Multimodal Investigations in a Case of Parotid MALToma.

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT) lymphoma is a distinct subtype of lymphoma, presenting as a diffuse gland involvement or a discrete mass. Pre-operative diagnosis is a challenge as Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is often inconclusive and presently no radiological investigation is confirmatory, therefore final diagnosis is made after surgical resection and immunohistopathology. We report a case of MALT lymphoma, which clinically presented as a unilateral large diffuse swelling of the parotid gland with a diagnostic dilemma eventually underwent total parotidectomy to be finally diagnosed as MALT lymphoma of parotid gland and received field radiotherapy with complete cure and no recurrence in a 2-year follow-up.

Incidence, Diagnosis and Treatment of Otorhinolaryngologicl, Head and Neck Tuberculosis: A Prospective Clinical Study

Abstract Introduction Tuberculosis is a disease of diversified presentation. It affects almost all organs in the body, and otorhinolaryngological, head and neck involvement is not an exception. Objective To increase awareness about the different clinical presentations of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck tuberculosis, the techniques employed to diagnose it, and to assess the response to the treatment. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 114 patients who presented primarily with otorhinolaryngological, head and neck tuberculosis. Routine blood investigations, chest radiographs, the tuberculin test, and sputum examination for the presence of acid-fast bacilli were performed in all cases. Site-specific investigations were performed in relevant cases only. The patients were treated according to the antitubercular treatment (ATT) regimen recommended by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), and they were followed up clinically two and six months after starting the ATT. Results Tubercular cervical lymphadenopathy was the most common clinical presentation (85.96%), followed by deep neck abscess (5.27%). Fine-needle aspiration cytology proved to be a reliable tool for the diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenopathy. Improvement at the end of 2 and 6 months of the ATT was observed in 90.35% and 96.50% of the cases respectively. Conclusion The diagnosis of otorhinolaryngological, head and neck tuberculosis requires a high index of clinical suspicion, and the ATT proved to be very effective in reducing the severity of the disease.

Vermicomposting with microbial amendment: implications for bioremediation of industrial and agricultural waste.

Improved agricultural practices and rapid industrialization have led to huge waste generation, and the management of this waste is becoming a global concern. The process of vermicomposting has emerged as a method of choice for converting waste into useful manure, with evidence of increase in crop productivity. During vermi-composting, the collective activities of decomposing microorganisms and earthworms lead to the humification of organic/inorganic waste, thereby generating the final product called vermicompost. Different types of industrial wastes such as waste from paper industries, tanneries, sugar mills, and pulp and textile industries have been effectively converted to vermicompost and successfully used to improve plant growth. The vermicompost thus formed was also demonstrated to increase the production of pharmaceutically important plant secondary meta-bolites such as withanolides and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Microbial amendment with different bacterial and fungal strains during vermicomposting further proves to be beneficial by increasing nitrogen content, decomposing organic waste, providing aeration, and stabilizing the vermicompost. These microorganisms after passing through the earthworm's intestine increase in numbers in the vermicast, thus becoming enriched in vermi-compost, which is particularly important for their use as biofertilizers. The precise role of different microbial pretreatments in improving the quality of vermicompost generated from industrial and agricultural waste is, however, not completely understood. To fill this gap in knowledge, the present article aims to review published literature to highlight the potential of microbial amendment during vermicomposting for bioremediation of industrial and agricultural waste. Microbial pre-composting followed by vermicomposting emerges as an eco-friendly and economical approach for managing agricultural and industrial waste.

Is Posterior Nasal Nerve Neurectomy Really a Ray of Hope for the Patients of Allergic Rhinitis.

Allergic rhinitis significantly affects the quality of life, it contributes to missed or unproductive time at school or work, disturbed sleep pattern and day time somnolence. Rhinitis is defined clinically as having two or more symptoms of anterior or posterior rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal blockage and/or itching of the nose during two or more consecutive days for more than 1 h on most days (International rhinitis management working group, 1994). Allergic rhinitis is diagnosed when these symptoms are caused by allergen exposure leading to an IgE mediated reaction. Nerve irritation causes sneezing and itching, the loss of mucosal integrity causes causes rhinorrhoea and the vascular engrogment leads to nasal blockage. Medical modalities are symptomatically effective in mild cases, with temporary relief and addressable adverse effects. Prolonged treatment with allergy immunotherapy causes a sustainable financial burden while remaining inaccessible at smaller towns. Posterior nasal nerve neurectomy is short, easy and effective alternative. The basic procedure is to selectively cut nerve bundles at the level of the sphenopalatine foramen (SPF) with a trans nasal approach. By denervating the nasal mucosa one renders it unresponsive to any sorts of allergen or allergic reaction. The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcome of posterior nasal nerve neurectomy in cases of severe allergic rhinitis by assessing its impact on the total nasal symptom score. The study is a hospital based prospective study, conducted on 15 patients who presented to the ENT department of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital from march 2021 to October 2021 (6 months) suffering from allergic rhinitis and did not show any satisfactory improvement even after 1 year of medical treatment. Adult patients in the age group of 20-45 yrs. diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were enrolled into the study after obtaining a due written consent. These included patients having 2 or more symptoms of allergic rhinitis and refractoriness to medical therapy for > 1 year along with significantly affected quality of life and elevated IgE level. Patients with drug induced & hormonal causes of rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis and any anatomical feature which precipitates to rhinitis such as deviated nasal septum, hypertrophied turbinates, blocked osteomeatal unit, polypoidal nasal mucosa and sinonasal polyposis were excluded from the study. During our study period from march 2021-September 2021, 15 patients were enrolled in the study. All the patients were followed up at 2nd and 6th month postoperatively. Amongst these patients, there were 11 females (73.34%) and 4 were male (26.67%)The mean age of patients was 35.2 years. Subjective nasal symptoms of all 15 patients improved over the period of 6 months. The mean TNSS improved from 12.067 preoperatively to 8.66 at the end of 2nd month, i.e., 23.1% improvement. By the end of the 6th postoperative month there was a consistent reduction in the tnss, which further reduced to a mean of 3.4 (70.2% reduction) indicating a further improvement in symptoms with time. With the advancement & popularity of endoscopic sinus surgery in the past decade, endoscopic resection of the posterior nasal nerve is emerging as a safe and less invasive technique with long standing results. Medical treatment usually provides mild and symptomatic relief with long duration of treatment period. Thus, PNN is safer, economical & easier alternative to current trend of treatment of allergic rhinitis, proving to be highly efficient in cases of intractable allergic rhinitis.

Culturable endophytic Pseudomonas fluorescens Z1B4 isolated from Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. with stress-tolerance and plant growth-promoting potential.

Endophytes are an important constituent of sustainable agriculture because of their ability to produce a large number of agriculturally important metabolites. A salt-tolerant fluorescent green pigment-producing endophytic bacterium was isolated on 2.5% NaCl-supplemented nutrient agar from the leaf samples of Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. The isolate Z1B4 was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens based on morphological features, fatty acid methyl ester analysis, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. P. fluorescens Z1B4 showed positive results for tricalcium phosphate solubilization; 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity; and production of auxins, siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia. P. fluorescens Z1B4 also showed strong antagonistic activity against Curvularia lunata (MTCC 283), Fusarium verticillioides (MTCC 3322), and Alternaria alternata (MTCC 1362) and exhibited stress tolerance to a wide range of temperature and pH and concentrations of NaCl and calcium salts. Under natural conditions, following inoculation with the isolate Z1B4, a significant increase in the growth of pea and maize test plants in pots was observed compared to that of uninoculated control plants. The rifampicin-resistant mutant Z1B4Rif was recovered from the roots, shoots, and leaves of the test plants, indicating that the isolated endophytic bacterium can grow well within different plant tissues. The present study indicated that the endophytic bacterium P. fluorescens Z1B4 can be used as a bacterial inoculant in stressed environments for sustainable agriculture.

Revitalising community engagement and surveillance challenges for strengthening dengue control in Jodhpur, Western Rajasthan, India - A mixed method study.

OBJECTIVES: Dengue continues to remain a public health problem in many regions of the world. This study focuses on addressing the community level barriers and opportunities using a health education intervention model to aid in dengue control. METHODS: In-depth interviews of frontline workers were conducted to understand potential barriers during surveillance. A house-to-house cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2018 among the crowded urban Pratapnagar area followed by intervention in the form of health education using pamphlets and counselling. RESULTS: The entomological indices were found to be above the critical levels in the hotspot area. 90% of the population had heard about dengue but only 51.4% had knowledge about fever as one of the symptoms of dengue. Overall knowledge among the community was good. But attitudes and practices were low and probably required more sustained health education intervention over prolonged period. The potential barriers for surveillance which were recognised during In-depth interviews were safety issues, lack of manpower and availability of dedicated vehicles, dearth of community participation and lack of inter and intra departmental coordination. CONCLUSION: The health administration needs to adopt robust surveillance and monitoring activities with inter-departmental coordination ensuring greater community participation focusing on behaviour change.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Rhizobacterium Pseudomonas trivialis Strain IHBB745 with Multiple Plant Growth-Promoting Activities and Tolerance to Desiccation and Alkalinity.

The complete genome sequence of 6.45 Mb is reported here for Pseudomonas trivialis strain IHBB745 (MTCC 5336), which is an efficient, stress-tolerant, and broad-spectrum plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium. The gene-coding clusters predicted the genes for phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and stress response.

Statistical Optimization of Medium Components for Mass Production of Plant Growth-Promoting Microbial Inoculant Pseudomonas trivialis BIHB 745 (MTCC5336).

Optimizing nutritional requirements for mass production of microbial inoculants in shortened time has relevance for their economical field application. Therefore, the present study aimed at selecting suitable growth medium, optimizing its components, and up-scaling inoculum production for plant growth-promoting Pseudomonas trivialis BIHB 745. Of the different media tested, the culture exhibited maximal viable colony count in trypticase soya broth with 17.6 % increased biomass on optimizing levels of carbon source, nitrogen source, and NaCl using response surface methodology. A twofold higher biomass with 9 h shorter incubation period was obtained in optimized medium in a bioreactor in comparison to shake flasks.

Organic acid production and plant growth promotion as a function of phosphate solubilization by Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae strain BIHB 723 isolated from the cold deserts of the trans-Himalayas.

An efficient phosphate-solubilizing plant growth-promoting Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae strain BIHB 723 exhibited significantly higher solubilization of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) than Udaipur rock phosphate (URP), Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) and North Carolina rock phosphate (NCRP). Qualitative and quantitative differences were discerned in the gluconic, oxalic, 2-keto gluconic, lactic, malic and formic acids during the solubilization of various inorganic phosphates by the strain. Gluconic acid was the main organic acid produced during phosphate solubilization. Formic acid production was restricted to TCP solubilization and oxalic acid production to the solubilization of MRP, URP and NCRP. A significant increase in plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root length, root dry weight, and root, shoot and soil phosphorus (P) contents was recorded with the inoculated treatments over the uninoculated NP(0)K or NP(TCP)K treatments. Plant growth promotion as a function of phosphate solubilization suggested that the use of bacterial strain would be a beneficial addition to the agriculture practices in TCP-rich soils in reducing the application of phosphatic fertilizers.

Cold-adapted and rhizosphere-competent strain of Rahnella sp. with broad-spectrum plant growth-promotion potential.

A phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strain isolated from Hippophae rhamnoides rhizosphere was identified as Rahnella sp. based on its phenotypic features and 16S rRNA gene sequence. The bacterial strain showed the growth characteristics of a cold-adapted psychrotroph, with the multiple plant growth-promoting traits of inorganic and organic phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1- carboxylate-deaminase activity, ammonia generation, and siderophore production. The strain also produced indole- 3-acetic acid, indole-3-acetaldehyde, indole-3-acetamide, indole-3-acetonitrile, indole-3-lactic acid, and indole-3- pyruvic acid in tryptophan-supplemented nutrient broth. Gluconic, citric and isocitric acids were the major organic acids detected during tricalcium phosphate solubilization. A rifampicin-resistant mutant of the strain exhibited high rhizosphere competence without disturbance to the resident microbial populations in pea rhizosphere. Seed bacterization with a charcoal-based inoculum significantly increased growth in barley, chickpea, pea, and maize under the controlled environment. Microplot testing of the inoculum at two different locations in pea also showed significant increase in growth and yield. The attributes of coldtolerance, high rhizosphere competence, and broad-spectrum plant growth-promoting activity exhibited the potential of Rahnella sp. BIHB 783 for increasing agriculture productivity.

Organic acid production in vitro and plant growth promotion in maize under controlled environment by phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas.

BACKGROUND: Phosphorus deficiency is a major constraint to crop production due to rapid binding of the applied phosphorus into fixed forms not available to the plants. Microbial solubilization of inorganic phosphates has been attributed mainly to the production of organic acids. Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms enhance plant growth under conditions of poor phosphorus availability by solubilizing insoluble phosphates in the soil. This paper describes the production of organic acids during inorganic phosphate solubilization and influence on plant growth as a function of phosphate solubilization by fluorescent Pseudomonas. RESULTS: Nineteen phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas strains of P. fluorescens, P. poae, P. trivialis, and Pseudomonas spp. produced gluconic acid, oxalic acid, 2-ketogluconic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, formic acid, citric acid and malic acid in the culture filtrates during the solubilization of tricalcium phosphate, Mussoorie rock phosphate, Udaipur rock phosphate and North Carolina rock phosphate. The strains differed quantitatively and qualitatively in the production of organic acids during solubilization of phosphate substrates. Cluster analysis based on organic acid profiling revealed inter-species and intra-species variation in organic acids produced by Pseudomonas strains. The phosphate-solubilizing bacterial treatments P. trivialis BIHB 745, P. trivialis BIHB 747, Pseudomonas sp. BIHB 756 and P. poae BIHB 808 resulted in significantly higher or statistically at par growth and total N, P and K content over single super phosphate treatment in maize. These treatments also significantly affected pH, organic matter, and N, P, and K content of the soil. CONCLUSION: The results implied that organic acid production by Pseudomonas strains is independent of their genetic relatedness and each strain has its own ability of producing organic acids during the solubilization of inorganic phosphates. Significant difference in plant growth promotion by efficient phosphate-solubilizing Pseudomonas strains point at the need for selecting potential strains in plant growth promotion experiments in conjunction with various phosphate substrates for their targeted application as bioinoculants.

Stress tolerance and genetic variability of phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas from the cold deserts of the trans-Himalayas.

Nineteen efficient phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas from the cold deserts of the trans-Himalayas were screened for stress tolerance against temperature, alkalinity, salinity, calcium salts, and desiccation. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing placed these bacteria under three groups with fourteen strains in Group I including Pseudomonas trivialis and P. poae, two strains in Group II together with Pseudomonas kilonensis and P. corrugata, and three strains in Group III along with Pseudomonas jessenii and P. moraviensis. Genetic diversity assessed by ERIC and BOX-PCR revealed variability among strains belonging to the same phylogenetic groups. Cluster analysis based on the growth characteristics under regimes of different stress levels placed the strains into three distinct clusters displaying no correlation to their phylogenetic groups. Stress-tolerant strains differed in the level of decline in phosphate solubilization under increasing intensity of various stress parameters. The highest decrease occurred with 5% CaCO(3,) followed by 2.5% CaCO(3), pH 11, 5% NaCl, temperature of 37 degrees C, 40% PEG, 5% CaSO(4), 2.5% NaCl, 2.5% CaSO(4), pH 9 and temperature of 15 degrees C. Two strains belonging to Phylogenetic Group I exhibited higher phosphate solubilization at lower temperature. The results revealed that stress-tolerance ability was not limited to any particular phylogenetic group. Knowledge about the genetic variants of phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent Pseudomonas with potential for tolerance to desiccation, alkalinity, temperature, and salinity could be useful in understanding their ecological role under stressful environments of low phosphate availability.

Plant growth-promoting and rhizosphere-competent Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae strain BIHB 723 from the cold deserts of the Himalayas.

A phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strain BIHB 723 isolated from the rhizosphere of Hippophae rhamnoides was identified as Acinetobacter rhizosphaerae on the basis of phenotypic characteristics, carbon source utilization pattern, fatty acid methyl esters analysis, and 16S rRNA gene sequence. The strain exhibited the plant growth-promoting attributes of inorganic and organic phosphate solubilization, auxin production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity, ammonia generation, and siderophore production. A significant increase in the growth of pea, chickpea, maize, and barley was recorded for inoculations under controlled conditions. Field testing with the pea also showed a significant increment in plant growth and yield. The rifampicin mutant of the bacterial strain effectively colonized the pea rhizosphere without adversely affecting the resident microbial populations.

Characterization of phosphate-solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads from the rhizosphere of seabuckthorn growing in the cold deserts of Himalayas.

Isolation and characterization of fluorescent pseudomonads with high phosphate-solubilizing ability is reported from the alkaline and calcium-rich soils with low P availability in the cold desert region of Lahaul and Spiti in the trans-Himalayas of India. Of 216 phosphate-solubilizing isolates, 12 exhibiting high solubilization of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) in NBRIP liquid culture were identified as Pseudomonas trivialis, P. poae, P. fluorescens, and Pseudomonas spp. on the basis of phenotypic features, whole-cell fatty acids methyl ester (FAME) profiles, and 16S rDNA sequencing. These isolates also showed relatively high solubilization of North Carolina rock phosphate (NCRP) in comparison to the solubilization of Mussoorie rock phosphate (MRP) and Udaipur rock phosphate (URP). The solubilization of phosphate substrates by P. trivialis and P. poae is reported for the first time.

Phosphate solubilization potential and stress tolerance of Eupenicillium parvum from tea soil.

Eupenicillium parvum was recorded for first time during isolation of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms from the tea rhizosphere. The fungus developed a phosphate solubilization zone on modified Pikovskaya agar, supplemented with tricalcium phosphate. Quantitative estimation of phosphate solubilization in Pikovskaya broth showed high solubilization of tricalcium phosphate and aluminium phosphate. The fungus also solubilized North Carolina rock phosphate and Mussoorie rock phosphate, and exhibited high levels of tolerance against desiccation, acidity, salinity, aluminium, and iron. Solubilization of inorganic phosphates by the fungus was also observed under high stress levels of aluminium, iron, and desiccation, though the significant decline in phosphate solubilization was marked in the presence of aluminium than iron. The fungal isolate showed 100% identity with E. parvum strain NRRL 2095 ITS 1, 5.8S rRNA gene and ITS 2, complete sequence; and 28S rRNA gene, partial sequence.