Screening and Characterization of Lignocellulolytic Microbes from the Tillage Ecosystems for Sustainable Valorization of Agro-waste

Burning of crop residues contributes significantly to air pollution, increases black carbon emissions, and accelerates climate change. Sustainable alternatives involve returning residues to the soil and applying lignocellulolytic microorganisms to speed up their breakdown, thereby supporting eco-friendly farming systems. This study focused on isolation and screening of the lignocellulolytic microbes particularly bacteria and fungi from tillage management scenarios as a viable alternative to crop residue burning. A total of 10 fungal and 5 bacterial strains were isolated in the form of pure colonies and their lignocellulolytic potential was screened by qualitative and quantitative screening. Primarily, the lignocellulolytic degradation was evaluated by using carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Tannic Acid (TA) agar media, on the basis of appearance of zone formation. Microbial strains FT4A, FT1B, BT4, BT2, FT2A and FT4A were showed the highest length of cellulolytic and lignolytic zone formation. Secondly, they were quantitatively screened by standard protocols of CMCase, FPase and Laccase enzyme assay techniques. FT1B and BT4 have the highest cellulolytic values 11.6 U/mL and 6.7 U/mL in CMCase assay. In FPase assay, FT2B and BT3 have the highest cellulolytic values 7.7U/mL and 0.14 U/mL. FT4A had highest lignolytic potential 0.14U/mL in Laccase assay and many isolates had least activity. The potential colonies which had significant results were identified as Aspergillus flavus, EmmonsiaPasteurina, Aspergillus niger , Penicillium sp, Monococcusechinophorus, Bacillus subtillus, Streptococcus sanguis and Pseudomonas flourescens . These species will be very useful if they apply in-situ crop residue degradation which ultimately improve the air quality, reduce environmental pollution and conservation of microbial biodiversity.