Chickpea Cicer Arietinum Research Articles

Efficacy of entomopathogenic nematodes in laboratory and field conditions of Cicer arietinum against cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

BackgroundThe chickpea Cicer arietinum (Fabaceae) field has suffered significant economic losses due to the presence of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Attempts to control the larval population through chemical pesticides led to some reduction but also resulted in the development of resistance among the larvae. Consequently, the H. armigera population experienced a rapid resurgence in the field. Given the substantial losses caused by Helicoverpa larvae, there is now a growing interest in adopting eco-friendly methods for management. The application of biocontrol agents has emerged as a promising solution for effectively managing the infestation.ResultsIn the laboratory experiment, the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Steinernema pakistanense NNRC-NB.14, S. balochiense NNRC-NB.23, and S. abbasi NNRC-NB.33 were evaluated for their infectivity and mortality effects on mature cotton bollworm at various concentrations. The study demonstrated that the highest mortality rates were achieved at a concentration of 250 infective juveniles (IJs) per larva after 72 h. Steinernema pakistanense and S. balochiense exhibited higher mortality rates (95–98%) compared to S. abbasi (77%) at higher application concentrations. The field trial results reinforced the laboratory findings, demonstrating a significant decrease in H. armigera larval populations when employing EPN strains, particularly NNRC-NB.14 and NNRC-NB.33, compared to NNRC-NB.23. Despite the initial applications showing relatively low mortality percentages, the most effective larval control occurred after the third application of EPNs. The field trials revealed that, following the third spray, mortality percentages significantly increased from the initial range of 20–32% to a more substantial 70–90%. This cumulative impact highlights the importance of multiple applications in achieving optimal pest control.ConclusionThe findings of these studies highlight the promising potential of EPN as an eco-friendly and sustainable method for controlling the cotton bollworm. However, the successful implementation of EPN-based control strategies in agricultural systems requires careful consideration of factors such as nematode species selection, application methods, environmental conditions, and integration with other pest management practices. Further research is needed to optimize the efficacy and practicality of using EPN on a larger scale, addressing issues such as nematode production, formulation, and compatibility with existing farming practice.

Dietary habits of lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota Bengalensis) in an agro-ecosystem, Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan.

Dietary habits of bandicoot rats (bandicota bengalensis) were investigated in the agricultural crops of the Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan by analysing stomach contents. The research activities were conducted in major field crops including wheat-groundnut and in the fallow lands during non-crop season at the field boundaries. The specimens were captured from the fields using kill/snap traps, and dissected to collect their stomach samples for laboratory analysis. Light microscopic slides of the plant material were recovered from stomach samples and the reference materials were collected from the field. Results revealed that the bandicoot rat predominantly fed upon cultivated crops during cropping season but consumed wild vegetation during non-cropping season. There was no significance difference between summer and winter diets. Most frequently consumed crop food items were wheat (Triticum aestivum; 28.57%), groundnut (Arachis hypogea; 11.26%), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor; 10.17%), chickpea (Cicer arietinum; 9.52%), maize (Zea mays; 6.49%), millet (Pennisetum glaucum; 5.84%), barley (Hordeum vulgare; 4.98%) and mustard (Brassica campestris; 4.98%). Among wild vegetation were consumed khbal gha (Cynodon dactylon; 7.79%), baron dhab (Demostachya bipinnata; 7.36%) and Prickly flower (Achyranthes aspera; 3.03%). The study concludes that, in addition to consuming wheat and groundnut crops, the Lesser bandicoot rat also subsists on grasses, weeds, and some fodder crops, as important component of its diet in agro-ecosystem of the Pothwar Plateau.

Efficacy of ethanolic and aqueous extract of some plants on some biological aspects of cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) – A comparative study

The present study included to know about the effectiveness of steep chickpea Cicer arietinum L. seeds with ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the Oleander Nerium oleander, Basil Ocimum basilicum, Chinaberry Melia azedarach, and Natgrass Cyperus rotundus leaves with four concentration (0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0) % on some biological sides of the cowpea beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.). The present study showed the superiority of leaves extracts of Oleander and Chinaberry as compared with leaves extracts of Basil and Natgrass, as well as the superiority of aqueous extracts as compared with ethanolic extracts of the present study plant's leaves on some biological sides of the cowpea beetle C. maculatus (Fab.). Also, the present study showed that the least number of laid eggs was recorded at a concentration of 1.0% of the ethanolic extract of the chinaberry with several 31.5 eggs, the least percentage of hatched eggs was recorded in the aqueous extract of chinaberry at a concentration of 5.0% with a percentage of 64.8%, the highest larval stage period was recorded at a concentration of 5.0% of the ethanolic extract of the chinaberry with a period of 19.8 days. Total mortality (100%) in the larval stage was achieved with a concentration of 5.0% of the aqueous extracts of the Oleander and Chinaberry. The highest pupal stage period was recorded at 5.0% of the ethanolic extract of the chinaberry at 14.8 days. The highest mortality in the pupal stage was recorded at a concentration of 2.5 % of the aqueous extract of the chinaberry with a percentage of 23.0%. The least number of emerged adults in the first generation and least percentage of productivity were recorded at a concentration of 5.0 % of the aqueous extracts of the Oleander and Chinaberry, with several 0.0 adults and a percentage of 0.0%, respectively.The study also showed that the germination percentage of Chickpea seeds was not significantly affected when it was treated with different concentrations of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the present study plants' leaves.

Fertigation of calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] confers metal tolerance in two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Fertigation of calcium nitrate [Ca(NO3)2] confers metal tolerance in two chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) cultivars

Resistance of chickpea cultivars to Chloridea virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Chickpea is a legume with nutrient-rich grains important for human feeding. Tobacco budworm, Chloridea virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is one of the most major pests of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) in Brazil. This pest damages leaves, flowers, pods, and grains. Plant resistance to insects is an important tactic of pest management, which usually facilitates and reduce costs of implementing an Integrated Pest Management for farmers. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the resistance in chickpea cultivars to C. virescens. Six chickpea cultivars were evaluated for antixenosis, initial antibiotic parameters, and behavior under field conditions. The cultivars BRS Kalifa and BRS Cícero were less attractive in a free-choice test, while Jamu 96 and BRS Kalifa were less attractive in a no-choice test. BRS Kalifa and BRS Toro leaves had a higher trichome density. Jamu 96 and BRS Toro had higher contents of oxalic and malic acids. C. virescens larvae in BRS Cícero, BRS Toro, and BRS Kalifa showed the lowest weights. Jamu 96 pods were the least damaged, and BRS Aleppo and Jamu 96 had the highest yields. The chickpea cultivars Jamu 96 and BRS Aleppo, which had resistance levels and mechanisms, can be used in integrated pest management programs to control C. virescens.

Introgressing cry1Ac for Pod Borer Resistance in Chickpea Through Marker-Assisted Backcross Breeding.

The gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera is a major constraint to chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production worldwide, reducing crop yield by up to 90%. The constraint is difficult to overcome as chickpea germplasm including wild species either lacks pod borer resistance or if possessing resistance is cross-incompatible. This study describes conversion of elite but pod borer-susceptible commercial chickpea cultivars into resistant cultivars through introgression of cry1Ac using marker-assisted backcross breeding. The chickpea cultivars (PBG7 and L552) were crossed with pod borer-resistant transgenic lines (BS 100B and BS 100E) carrying cry1Ac that led to the development of BC1F1, BC1F2, BC1F3, BC2F1, BC2F2, and BC2F3 populations from three cross combinations. The foreground selection revealed that 35.38% BC1F1 and 8.4% BC1F2 plants obtained from Cross A (PBG7 × BS 100B), 50% BC1F1 and 76.5% BC1F2 plants from Cross B (L552 × BS 100E), and 12.05% BC2F2 and 82.81% (average) BC2F3 plants derived from Cross C (PBG7 × BS 100E) carried the cry1Ac gene. The bioassay of backcross populations for toxicity to H. armigera displayed up to 100% larval mortality. BC1F1 and BC1F2 populations derived from Cross B and BC2F3 population from Cross C segregated in the Mendelian ratio for cry1Ac confirmed inheritance of a single copy of transgene, whereas BC1F1 and BC1F2 populations obtained from Cross A and BC2F2 population from Cross C exhibited distorted segregation ratios. BC1F1 plants of Cross A and Cross B accumulated Cry1Ac protein ranging from 11.03 to 11.71 µgg−1 in leaf tissue. Cry1Ac-positive BC2F2 plants from Cross C demonstrated high recurrent parent genome recovery (91.3%) through background selection using SSR markers and phenome recovery of 90.94%, amongst these 30% plants, were homozygous for transgene. The performance of BC2F3 progenies derived from homozygous plants was similar to that of the recurrent parent for main agronomic traits, such as number of pods and seed yield per plant. These progenies are a valuable source for H. armigera resistance in chickpea breeding programs.

Impact of Elevated CO2 on Soil–Plant Phosphorus Dynamics, Growth, and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in an Alkaline Vertisol of Central India

Impact of Elevated CO2 on Soil–Plant Phosphorus Dynamics, Growth, and Yield of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in an Alkaline Vertisol of Central India

Revealing the underlying mechanisms mediated by endophytic actinobacteria to enhance the rhizobia - chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) symbiosis

PurposeThe effects of endophytic actinobacterial strains, Microbispora sp. CP56, Actinomadura sp. CP84B, Streptomyces spp. CP200B and CP21A, on the chickpea-Mesorhizobium symbiosis, were investigated in planta, with the aim of revealing the underlying mechanisms of action.MethodsThe actinobacterial endophytes were co-inoculated with Mesorhizobium ciceri onto chickpea seedlings to study the effect on plant growth parameters, nodulation development and grain yield. The role of actinobacterial exudates on rhizobial growth was investigated, as was the role of root exudates of actinobacteria-colonized plants on the expression of rhizobial nod factors and biofilm formation. Changes in expression of plant flavonoids and bacterial N-fixation genes resulting from actinobacterial co-inoculation were assessed using qPCR.ResultsApplication of actinobacterial endophytes, together with M. ciceri, showed growth promotion of chickpea with an increase in root nodule number and weight. Enhanced nodulation was accompanied by increases in total plant nitrogen, larger total plant weight and a 2–3-fold increase in grain yield. Factors associated with this tripartite symbiosis are promotion of rhizobial growth, earlier nodule formation, increased secondary root formation, up-regulated expression of genes related to flavonoid synthesis and nif genes. In addition, exudates of chickpea roots colonised with actinobacteria increased nodulation-related biological processes - rhizobial chemotaxis, biofilm formation and nod gene expression.ConclusionThese endophytic actinobacteria positively affect many aspects of the chickpea-Mesorhizobium symbiosis resulting in increases in grain yield. Similar improvements recorded in chickpea growing in potted field soils, shows the potential to enhance chickpea production in the field.

NGHIÊN CỨU MỨC ĐỘ BIỂU HIỆN CỦA CÁC GEN LẶP TRONG HỌ NHÂN TỐ PHIÊN MÃ NAC LIÊN QUAN ĐẾN ĐÁP ỨNG HẠN Ở CÂY LẠC (Arachis hypogaea)

NAC has been considered one of the largest transcription factor families in plant species. In peanut (Arachis hypogaea), 29 members of the AhNAC gene family have been identified and characterized. However, the information of their functions related to the mechanism of the stress response has been reported. In this study, a total of seven duplication events, which occurred from the segmental duplication, has been predicted in the AhNAC gene family in peanuts. The Ka\Ks ratios revealed that natural selection prevented the presence of the point mutations in the most duplicated genes, consequently, maintaining their structure and function during evolution. Based on the unrooted phylogenetic tree between AhNAC proteins in peanuts and 23 drought-responsive CaNAC in chickpea (Cicer arietinum), we proposed 12 members of the AhNAC that potentially share similar functions with well-characterized NAC in chickpea. Furthermore, various hormone- and drought-responsive cis-regulatory elements have been found in the promoter regions of these candidate genes. Re-analysis of the previous RNA-Seq demonstrated that the majority of the candidate AhNAC genes were responsive to the osmotic stress. Taken together, our study could provide an important foundation for further functional characterization towards the improvement of stress tolerance in peanuts.

Growth yield and health benefit of farm shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) fed in a pre-fattening phase with a diet based on wheat (Triticum sativum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) enriched with spirulina (Spirulina maxima)

The formulation of diets from vegetable protein enriched with immunostimulants is a suitable feeding strategy for shrimp culture. This study evaluated a feed formulated with wheat (Tritium sativum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) enriched with spirulina (Spirulina maxima) for shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei farming. A feed based on wheat and chickpea (2.5:1) containing 3% spirulina was developed and characterized by proximal chemical analysis. The experimental feed was evaluated along with a commercial feed in a five-week field bioassay to determine the growth, survival, and health status of the juvenile shrimp. In addition, water salinity (mg·L-1) was monitored as an environmental stability factor for shrimp cultures. The proximal chemical composition of the experimental feed contained 17.5 ±0.1% protein, 2.2 ±0.3% lipids and 68.0 ±0.3% carbohydrates. The specific growth rate (0.22 ±0.05 g·days-1) of the shrimp under experimental feed did not show statistical differences in comparison with the commercial feed (P> 0.05). Also, it was determined that the shrimp fed with experimental feed presented a biomass production (0.74 ±0.17 g), survival rate (>98%) (P <0.05) and health status better than shrimp fed with commercial feed. The influence of salinity on shrimp survival was rule out (P> 0.05). This study demonstrated that the experimental feed offers a suitable diet in benefit of the performance and health of the shrimp.

Karyotype Differentiation in Cultivated Chickpea Revealed by Oligopainting Fluorescence in situ Hybridization.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the main sources of plant proteins in the Indian subcontinent and West Asia, where two different morphotypes, desi and kabuli, are grown. Despite the progress in genome mapping and sequencing, the knowledge of the chickpea genome at the chromosomal level, including the long-range molecular chromosome organization, is limited. Earlier cytogenetic studies in chickpea suffered from a limited number of cytogenetic landmarks and did not permit to identify individual chromosomes in the metaphase spreads or to anchor pseudomolecules to chromosomes in situ. In this study, we developed a system for fast molecular karyotyping for both morphotypes of cultivated chickpea. We demonstrate that even draft genome sequences are adequate to develop oligo-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) barcodes for the identification of chromosomes and comparative analysis among closely related chickpea genotypes. Our results show the potential of oligo-FISH barcoding for the identification of structural changes in chromosomes, which accompanied genome diversification among chickpea cultivars. Moreover, oligo-FISH barcoding in chickpea pointed out some problematic, most probably wrongly assembled regions of the pseudomolecules of both kabuli and desi reference genomes. Thus, oligo-FISH appears as a powerful tool not only for comparative karyotyping but also for the validation of genome assemblies.

Effect of Larval Density of Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Pod Damage and Yield of Chickpea

Background: Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is cultivated in almost all parts of world covering more than 50 countries spread over Asia, Africa Europe, Australia, north America and South America countries and is the second most important food legumes crop after common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Chickpea has played a major role in realization of pulse Revolution in india making the country near self-sufficient in pluses. Gram is extensively grow in india. Due to its high nutritional value and its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, its more widely cultivated rabi pulse crop. The gram pod borer Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) is most important pest of chickpea. Many pesticides were so far tested against this pest but due to over use of these pesticides resistance, residue and resurgence problems arises, beside destruction of natural enemies. Methods: To determination of per cent pod damage and yield of chickpea due to different larval density of H. armigera is an important tool to reduce the cost of cultivation by avoiding the unnecessary use of pesticides. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted in arranged in a completed randomized design with four replications. The pots were placed under natural field conditions and take observation at Research farm, Rajasthan Agricultural Research Institute, Durgapura, Jaipur during 2015-16 and 2016-17. Result: The results revealed that least per cent pod damage (29.05, 24.78%) was recorded when the larval population was one per plant, while the maximum pod damage (64.55 and 67.76%) was recorded during 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively. The simple liner correlation analysis indicated that there was a significant positive correlation (r= 0.989 and 0.999) between the larval density and per cent pod damage. Further, a significant correlation was noticed between larval density and number of healthy pods per plant, reduction in yield, yield per plant, total number of pod and damaged pods were -0.964, -0.976; 0.98, 0.986; -0.98, -0.986; 0.117, 0.126 and; 0.985 and 0.992, respectively during 2015-16 and 2016-17.

Effect of weather parameters, host resistance and sowing date on disease severity and temporal dynamics of Fusarium wilt in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Fusarium wilt incited by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris is an economically damaging disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Field experiments on epidemiological studies revealed that sowing during second fortnight of November curtailed the disease severity index (22.50 and 20.83% during 2018-19 and 2019-20, respectively) whereas, sowing during first fortnight of October enhanced the disease severity index (34.86 and 30.41%). The area under disease progress curve was significantly higher in susceptible variety JG 62 and was the least in resistant variety HC 1. The correlation analysis exhibited positive correlation of disease severity index with maximum and minimum temperature while negative correlation with relative humidity morning and evening, irrespective of date of sowing. The principal component analysis depicted resistance index, sowing time and weather parameters as positional factors in determining Fusarium wilt progression. In susceptible variety, Gompertz model was the best fitted model for simulating the Fusarium wilt epidemic over time.

Efficacy of Phosphorus Application on Yield in Different Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes

Efficacy of Phosphorus Application on Yield in Different Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Genotypes

Efficacy of certain insecticides and neem products against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera hubner in chickpea Cicer arietinum linnaeus

Efficacy of certain insecticides and neem products against pod borer Helicoverpa armigera hubner in chickpea Cicer arietinum linnaeus

Allelopathic Potential of Foliar Application of Aqueous Extracts of Chickpea on Growth and Yield of Chickpea

A pot experiment was executed in the college of science, Salahaddin university glass house to investigate the allelopathic potentiality of aqueous chickpea Cicer arietinum L. seed extracts that was foliar sprayed on chickpea plants 45 days after sowing to estimate growth, yield, yield components, and seeds chemical characteristics. Results showed that the allelopathic effect was significant on chickpea plant height, number of pods per plant, seeds per pod, shoot dry weight, seed yield per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index, hundred seeds weight, nitrogen, protein, and phosphorus content. The allelopathic effect was on its own species, and the effect was percentage dependent which, means increasing extract percentage elevated allelopathic impact. The allelopathic index was at the maximum level when the plants were sprayed with the highest extract percentage.

Systemic Resistance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Elicited by Some Biotic Inducers Against Root Diseases

Systemic Resistance in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Elicited by Some Biotic Inducers Against Root Diseases

Harnessing Mesorhizobial inoculants on the grain legume Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia and contributions to promoting plant growth: Review

Chickpea is an important legume that serves as a vital source of nutrition in many regions of Ethiopia and sustain cropping system productivity due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen. Legumes such as chickpea possess seeds with high protein content therefore, require high supply of nitrogen. To realize this requirement, the crop embraces nodule on its root where bacteria of the genus Mesorhizobium live with a specific function of converting the atmospheric nitrogen into plant available form called biological nitrogen fixation. However, the potential of the crop to accomplished the current demand of nitrogen for poor soils is limited by its association with symbiotic nitrogen fixing bacteria, poor understanding of the relationship between strain diversity and symbiotic performance. Therefore, the present review will be used as a baseline to understand Ethiopian chickpea Mesorhizobium genetic resources for better symbiotic nitrogen fixation in chickpea. Moreover, it allows to supporting research efforts to select efficient rhizobial inoculants in nutrient management for increasing the production and productivity of chickpea as well as maintaining soil health and to solve the future problems.

Isolation and Characterization of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Nodulating Rhizobia Collected from South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

This study aimed at screening rhizobial isolates of chickpea and evaluating their symbiotic nitrogen fixation efficiency and tolerance to abiotic stresses. A total of 107 (100%) isolates were collected of which 52 (48.6%) were confirmed as chickpea rhizobia using preliminary tests. Among 52 (48.6%) isolates, 46 (88.5%) have induced nodulation on chickpea under greenhouse and were screened under in vitro conditions and 6 (11.5%) of them were discarded due to fail to nodulate. The greenhouse data showed the highest nodule number (68.67 plant−1), nodule dry weight (0.17 g plant−1), and shoot dry weight (0.81 g plant−1) were scored by plants inoculated with isolates WUCR 17, WUCR 1, and WUCR 66, respectively. Among authenticated isolates, 73.9%, 21.7%, and 4.3% were highly effective, effective, and lowly effective, respectively. The physiological test showed 15% of isolates tolerated 13% salt concentration and 10.9% of isolates grew at pH 4–10 range. All isolates grew at 20–35°C and 13% grew at maximum temperature (50°C). The isolates showed better resistance to the tested antibiotics at low concentration (2.5 μg/ml) but the majorities were sensitive at high concentration (10 μg/ml). Among the isolates, 13% tolerated all tested heavy metals but 48% were sensitive to mercury. Regarding the carbohydrate utilization test, 52.2% catabolized all the tested 11 carbon sources but 6.5% of them utilized only 63.6% carbon sources. Amino acid utilization showed isolates (85%) utilized D-alanine except WUCR (14, 25, 31, 34, 39, 59, and 76) and 76% of the isolates utilized arginine and phenylalanine and 74% utilized leucine as a nitrogen source. Of the isolates, 43.5% of them utilized both D-alanine and arginine as a nitrogen source. In almost all tests conducted, isolates WUCR 1 and 5 performed top and were recommended as potential candidates for microbial inoculants.

Enhanced Bioremediation of Heavy Metals from Phosphate Processing Wastewater Using the Indigenous Bacterium Serratia rubidaea NCTC12971

Bioremediation using microorganisms have become innovative efficient tools for detoxifying a wide variety of urban and industrial wastewaters. In this study, we investigated for the first time the microbial detoxification of phosphate processing wastewaters (PPWW) by using the indigenous bacterium Serratia rubidaea NCTC12971, having numerous plant growth promoting traits. In fact, the isolated strain exhibited an attractive capacity of phosphate solubilization, siderophore production as well as indole acetic acid (IAA) secretion. Additionally, the strain has significant antifungal effect against Alternaria alternata. The monitoring of the bacterial growth at increasing concentrations of heavy metals showed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 8, 6, 3 and 3 mg L−1, respectively for Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn. The 10-days treatment of PPWW by Serratia rubidaea significantly decreases its salinity in terms of electrical conductivity (EC), its chemical oxygen demand (COD), its biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and its total organic carbon (TOC). Regarding heavy metals removal, the detoxification rates were 94.4, 91.5, 85, and 66.5%, for Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn, respectively. Moreover, the biological treatment of the PPWW declines its phytotoxicity toward lentils (Lens culinaris) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum) seeds germination. Hence, with the PPWW, the germination indices (GI) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and lentils (Lens culinaris) were 16.6 and 10%, respectively. While, with the biological treated (BTPPWW), the GI were significantly increased to approximately 76.6% for both seeds mentioned. Such results strengthened the potential use of Serratia rubidaea NCTC12971 for the establishment of biotechnological process aiming to minimize the harmful effects of PPWW as well as its use as plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB). Highlights This study is the first report investigating the potential use of indigenous bacteria in the bio-treatment of wastewaters discharged from the Tunisian phosphate laundries units. Serratia rubidaea NCTC12971 was selected as a potent applicant for heavy metals detoxification. Serratia rubidaea NCTC12971 was characterized by its plant growth promoting traits and antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata.