Screening of Phyllosphere Yeast of Rice for the Production Enzymes and Solubilisation of Minerals

Rice leaf samples were collected at different critical stages from different places of Tuticorin district for isolation of yeast. Leaf samples were collected and imprinted in various medium viz., Sabourauds dextrose agar, Yeast extract Malt extract, Czapek Dox agar, Yeast extract peptone dextrose agar and Potato dextrose agar. Plates were incubated for 24 hours and observed for yeast population. The yeast colonies were dull white to white in colour, a few colonies were pigmented. Cells were oval to round in shape. Biochemical characterization tests were carried out and the yeast isolates were tested for enzyme production and mineral solubilisation.