Question

Retting of fibers is caused by
A) Bacillus
B) Clostridium
C) Nitrobacter
D) Rhizobium

Answer 1

Retting is the process that refers to the action of bacteria and moisture on plants to dissolve or rot away much of the cellular tissues and gummy substances. This process facilitates the separation of the fiber from the stem.

Complete answer:
Let us analyze each option to find out the correct answer.

Option A: Bacillus is a rod-shaped, gram-positive, aerobic or anaerobic bacteria widely found in soil and water. The term “bacillus” refers to cylindrical or rod-like bacteria. Bacillus species are used in many medicines, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and industrial processes that take advantage of their wide range of physiologic characteristics and their ability to produce a host of enzymes, antibiotics, and other metabolites. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option B: Retting can be defined as the process to dissolve pectin from the fiber bundles and separates the fibers from stems by the involvement of microbial activity in the presence of moisture. Clostridium has been found to play an important role in the process by hydrolyzing the pectin in the jute as it produces pectinase enzymes. Therefore, this is the correct option.

Option C: Nitrobacter oxidizes nitrite to nitrate, a primary source of inorganic nitrogen for plants. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Option D: Rhizobium is a genus of Gram-negative soil bacteria that fix nitrogen. Rhizobium lives in symbiosis with legumes. They take in nitrogen from the atmosphere and pass it on to the plant, allowing it to grow in soil low in nitrogen. Therefore, this is an incorrect option.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B) Clostridium.

Note: It should be noted that the Clostridium is rod-shaped, usually gram-positive bacteria. They are basically found in soil, water, and the intestinal tracts of humans and other animals.