Diversity and distribution of rhizospheric bacteria associated with Devil's cotton (Abroma augusta L.) along with alterations induced by the abiotic environment

Recent research on the pharmacological aspects of Devil's cotton (Abroma augusta L.) plant has increased its impetus, notwithstanding its usage by the traditional practitioners, in face of its over-exploitation. We attempted a study of the association ecology of pedospheric bacteria associated with its rhizosphere. A total of 9 (nine) bacteria were isolated from rhizospheric soil collected from 8 natural locations of the Brahmaputra valley, distributed in 4 districts of Assam, India. The association between rhizospheric bacteria and fungal biota (including endomycorrhizae and non-mycorrhizal fungi) with abiotic soil properties can be exclusively advocated for a broader utilization as an ecological indicator for the conservation of target plant species as discussed in the present paper.