Variations in heterotrophic bacteria and phosphate solubilizing bacteria from Karangadu and Devipattinam coast, Palk Strait, Southeast coast of India

In shallow coastal regions, bacteria are believed t o play an important role in the recycling of matter. A study concerning total heterotrophic bact eria and phosphate solubilizing bacterial populations in the water and sediment samples of th e Karangadu and Devipattinam, Palk Strait, Southeast coast of India were carried out from July 2008-May 2009. THB and PSB were high in November month. THB was ranged between 5.23-9.75x10 5 cells ml -1 and 2.36-11.21x10 5 cells g -1 and PSB was fluctuated between 0.98 -5.6x10 3 cells ml -1 and 1.12-6.84x10 3 cells g -1 from water and sediment samples respectively. Among all the PS B isolates, twenty proficient PSB strains were selected for phosphatase activity and P solubi lization efficiency under in vitro condition.