Climate and Soil Properties Influence Species Diversity of Soil <i>Bacillus</i> Community in India

Abstract

<i>Bacillus</i> is an important genus as it is a source for antibiotics, enzymes, and probiotics. Therefore, several studies are targeted on this genus in order to understand its diversity abundance in different soil environments. In present study, we investigated the diversity of <i>Bacillus</i> at species level using culturable approach in soils collected at different climatic zones of India and identified 20 prominent members of genus <i>Bacillus</i> species that are able to grow in different media types under same culture conditions. Results also showed that the species diversity of <i>Bacillus</i> changes according to the soil microenvironment under the influence of different climatic conditions. As a pilot study using culturable approach, we made an attempt to investigate the shift in <i>Bacillus</i> species diversity present in the Indian soils experiencing a climatic gradient over a large geographic area.