Genomic Insights into Two Endophytic Strains: Stenotrophomonas geniculata NWUBe21 and Pseudomonas carnis NWUBe30 from Cowpea with Plant Growth-Stimulating Attributes

Abstract

Endophytic microbiota are being researched as a vital source of beneficial attributes that are of immense importance for enhancing agroecological crop production. In this study, two endophytic strains: Pseudomonas carnis NWUBe30 and Stenotrophomonas geniculata NWUBe21, were isolated from cowpea tissue, and their plant growth-promoting attributes were assessed. The 16S rRNA gene, as well as the key plant growth-promoting genes that they contain, were subjected to polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Furthermore, their genome was sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 systems platform. The results indicated that they possess multiple plant growth-promoting attributes, including the solubilization of phosphates, the production of auxin, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide, exopolysaccharide, ammonia, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acids. Additionally, the plant growth-promoting genes GCD and ASB were amplified via PCR at their expected base pair value. The genome bioinformatics analysis revealed assembled sizes of 5,901,107 bp for P. carnis NWUBe30, with an average G+C content of 60.2%, and for S. geniculata NWUBe21, 512,0194 bp, with a G+C content of 64.79%. Likewise, genes, such as exopolyphosphatase, ferribacilibactin, betalactone, and lassopeptide, that are responsible for promoting plant growth were identified. This study highlights the biotechnological potential of Stenotrophomonas geniculata strain NWUBe21 and the Pseudomonas carnis strain NWUBe30, which can be harnessed to achieve improvements in sustainable agroecological crop production.