Natural Occurrence of Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophic (PPFM)Bacteria on Phyllosphere of Mulberry (Morus Indica)

Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotrophic (PPFM) Bacteria Of The Genus Methylobacterium Are Commonly Found In Association With Plants. These Bacteria Are Characterized By Being Able To Rely On Methanol As A Sole Carbon And Energy Source. The Ppfms Are Highly Hydrophobic And Strongly Adhesive On Plant Surfaces And Has The Ability To Produce Cytokinin And Indole-3 Acetic Acid On The Phyllosphere Region Of Mulberry. In Mulberry (Morus Indica) Variety MR2, The Natural Population Of PPFM Occupied Approximately 10 Per Cent OfTotal Aerobic Bacteria On Phyllosphere. The Serial Dilution Method Recorded Higher Population Than Leaf Imprinting Method. The PPFM Isolate Methylobacterium Spp. Mi7 Shown Good Growth Rate Under In Vitro Conditions In Ammonium Mineral Salt Broth. The Culture Entered Into Stationary Phase After 10 Days With One Per Cent Initial Methanol. The Natural Population OfPPFM Varied During The Periods Of September To December And January To April On Mulberry Leaves. Heat And Water Stress During Summer Decreased The Natural Ppfms