A comparison of phytase and cellulase activity in wheat and rice endophytic Azospirilla

Six nitrogen-fixing bacteria which were isolated from root of cultivated rice and wheat and also one strain from a kind of biofertilizer، identified as Azospirillum with PCR amplification of 16S rDNA gene. Among the Azospirillum isolates from rice and wheat roots، one isolate from wheat (Golestan cultivar) and another from rice (Tarom cultivar) were selected for comparison of their cell wall degrading enzymes activities، because of more enzyme activity in cellulose، CMC (Carboxymethylcellulose)، salicin، pectin، NBRIP and phytin media. Azospirillum strain was isolated from rice had CMCase and phytase activities significantly more than one isolated from wheat، 31. 77% and 46. 99% respectively، but the FPase activity of both strains were nearly similar. The reason for Tarom colonization by the strain with higher activity of cellulase and phytase may be related to more celluletic cell wall and phytin content of this cultivar in comparison with Golestan.