Plant Growth-promoting Abilities Research Articles

Isolation, identification and plant growth promotion ability of endophytic bacteria associated with lupine root nodule grown in Tunisian soil.

The present study aims to characterize nodule endophytic bacteria of spontaneous lupine plants regarding their diversity and their plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. The potential of PGPR inoculation was investigated to improve white lupine growth across controlled, semi-natural and field conditions. Lupinus luteus and Lupinus angustifolius nodules were shown inhabited by a large diversity of endophytes. Several endophytes harbor numerous plant growth promotion traits such as phosphates solubilization, siderophores production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. In vivo analysis confirmed the plant growth promotion ability of two strains (Paenibacillus glycanilyticus LJ121 and Pseudomonas brenneri LJ215) in both sterilized and semi-natural conditions. Under field conditions, the co-inoculation of lupine by these strains increased shoot N content and grain yield by 25% and 36%, respectively. These two strains Paenibacillus glycanilyticus LJ121 and Pseudomonas brenneri LJ215 are effective plant growth-promoting bacteria and they may be used to develop an eco-friendly biofertilizer to boost white lupine productivity.

Genomic insights into plant growth promoting rhizobia capable of enhancing soybean germination under drought stress

BackgroundThe role of soil microorganisms in plant growth, nutrient utilization, drought tolerance as well as biocontrol activity cannot be over-emphasized, especially in this era when food crisis is a global challenge. This research was therefore designed to gain genomic insights into plant growth promoting (PGP) Rhizobium species capable of enhancing soybean (Glycine max L.) seeds germination under drought condition.ResultsRhizobium sp. strain R1, Rhizobium tropici strain R2, Rhizobium cellulosilyticum strain R3, Rhizobium taibaishanense strain R4 and Ensifer meliloti strain R5 were found to possess the entire PGP traits tested. Specifically, these rhizobial strains were able to solubilize phosphate, produce exopolysaccharide (EPS), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC), siderophore and indole-acetic-acid (IAA). These strains also survived and grew at a temperature of 45 °C and in an acidic condition with a pH 4. Consequently, all the Rhizobium strains enhanced the germination of soybean seeds (PAN 1532 R) under drought condition imposed by 4% poly-ethylene glycol (PEG); nevertheless, Rhizobium sp. strain R1 and R. cellulosilyticum strain R3 inoculations were able to improve seeds germination more than R2, R4 and R5 strains. Thus, genomic insights into Rhizobium sp. strain R1 and R. cellulosilyticum strain R3 revealed the presence of some genes with their respective proteins involved in symbiotic establishment, nitrogen fixation, drought tolerance and plant growth promotion. In particular, exoX, htrA, Nif, nodA, eptA, IAA and siderophore-producing genes were found in the two rhizobial strains.ConclusionsTherefore, the availability of the whole genome sequences of R1 and R3 strains may further be exploited to comprehend the interaction of drought tolerant rhizobia with soybean and other legumes and the PGP ability of these rhizobial strains can also be harnessed for biotechnological application in the field especially in semiarid and arid regions of the globe.

Genomic Insights Into Plant-Growth-Promoting Potentialities of the Genus Frankia.

This study was designed to determine the plant growth promoting (PGP) potential of members of the genus Frankia. To this end, the genomes of 21 representative strains were examined for genes associated directly or indirectly with plant growth. All of the Frankia genomes contained genes that encoded for products associated with the biosynthesis of auxins [indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthases, anthranilate phosphoribosyltransferases (trpD), anthranilate synthases, and aminases (trpA and B)], cytokinins (11 well-conserved genes within the predicted biosynthetic gene cluster), siderophores, and nitrogenases (nif operon except for atypical Frankia) as well as genes that modulate the effects of biotic and abiotic environmental stress (e.g., alkyl hydroperoxide reductases, aquaporin Z, heat shock proteins). In contrast, other genes were associated with strains assigned to one or more of four host-specific clusters. The genes encoding for phosphate solubilization (e.g., low-affinity inorganic phosphate transporters) and lytic enzymes (e.g., cellulases) were found in Frankia cluster 1 genomes, while other genes were found only in cluster 3 genomes (e.g., alkaline phosphatases, extracellular endoglucanases, pectate lyases) or cluster 4 and subcluster 1c genomes (e.g., NAD(P) transhydrogenase genes). Genes encoding for chitinases were found only in the genomes of the type strains of Frankia casuarinae, F. inefficax, F. irregularis, and F. saprophytica. In short, these in silico genome analyses provide an insight into the PGP abilities of Frankia strains of known taxonomic provenance. This is the first study designed to establish the underlying genetic basis of cytokinin production in Frankia strains. Also, the discovery of additional genes in the biosynthetic gene cluster involved in cytokinin production opens up the prospect that Frankia may have novel molecular mechanisms for cytokinin biosynthesis.

Sebacinoids within rhizospheric fungal communities associated with subsistence farming in the Congo Basin: a needle in each haystack.

The unique ecosystem of the Congolese rainforest has only scarcely been explored for its plant-fungal interactions. Here, we characterized the root fungal communities of field-grown maize and of Panicum from adjacent borders in the Congo Basin and assessed parameters that could shape them. The soil properties indicated that comparable poor soil conditions prevailed in fields and borders, illustrating the low input character of local subsistence farming. The rhizosphere fungal communities, dominated by ascomycetous members, were structured by plant species, slash-and-burn practices and soil P, pH and C/N ratio. Examining fungi with potential plant growth-promoting abilities, the glomeromycotan communities appeared to be affected by the same parameters, whereas the inconspicuous symbionts of the order Sebacinales seemed less susceptible to environmental and anthropogenic factors. Notwithstanding the low abundances at which they were detected, sebacinoids occurred in 87% of the field samples, implying that they represent a consistent taxon within indigenous fungal populations across smallholder farm sites. Pending further insight into their ecosystem functionality, these data suggest that Sebacinales are robust root inhabitants that might be relevant for on-farm inoculum development within sustainable soil fertility management in the Sub-Saharan region.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of endophytic bacteria associated with transgenic and non-transgenic soybean plants.

Endophytic bacteria isolated from non-transgenic and transgenic Roundup Ready® glyphosate-resistant (GR) soybean plants were investigated to analyze the correspondence between phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and to determine whether or not the strains could be grouped based on the source of isolation in transgenic or non-transgenic plants, respectively. Most of the strains recovered from GR plants have shown the ability for plant growth promotion (PGP) by means of IAA production and inorganic phosphate solubilization, and 100% of the strains showed great motility (swarm or swim); in addition, 90% of the strains were able to metabolize the majority of carbon sources tested. GR soybean fields showed higher endophytes abundance than non-transgenic; however, analyzing the phylogenetic trees constructed using the partial 16SrRNA gene sequences, higher diversity was observed in non-transgenic soybean fields. Overall the majority of isolated endophytes could utilize multiple patterns of carbon sources and express resistance to antibiotics, while isolates varied widely in the PGP ability. The greater pattern and frequency of utilization of carbon sources and frequency and intensity of antibiotic resistance compared with PGP ability within the soybean endophytes community suggest that carbon sources metabolism and antibiotic resistance confer a greater relative fitness benefit than PGP ability. In conclusion, cluster analysis of the phenotypes and 16SrRNA gene sequences reveals lack of correspondence between the pattern of bacterial isolates and the transgenic character of plants, and the heterogeneity of clustering suggested that various adaptive processes, such as stress response, could have contributed to generate phenotypic variability to enhance endophytes overall fitness.

Plant growth promotion and chilli anthracnose disease suppression ability of rhizosphere soil actinobacteria.

The aim of this study was to screen potential plant growth promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) actinobacterial isolate with effective inhibition against anthracnose causing fungal pathogen Colletotrichum capsici. In this study, actinobacterias were isolated from rhizosphere soil using dilution plate method and tested for antagonistic potential against pathogenic fungi C. capsici. In primary and secondary screening tests, the actinobacterial isolate BS-26 displayed high antagonistic activity against the fungal pathogen. Isolate BS-26 was identified as Streptomyces violaceoruber based on 16S rDNA sequencing. Furthermore, indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization and ammonia production have been confirmed in the S. violaceoruber that suggest their potential to be used as PGPR bacteria. A green house experiment showed that application of S. violaceoruber fermentation broth reduced the incidence of the chilli anthracnose and promoted the growth of chilli seedlings with a significant increase in germination %, total plant height, fresh weight and chlorophyll content when compared to controls. Streptomyces violaceoruber can be applied as a biofertilizer and biocontrol agent for growing chillies against the attack of fungal pathogen C. capsici. The damage caused by anthracnose disease is an issue of concern, affecting negatively the economy involved in chilli cultivation. As chemical methods of control have serious disadvantages, biocontrol approach using beneficial (PGPR) micro-organisms shall be a better alternative to control crop diseases.

Evaluation of Streptomyces spp. and Bacillus spp. for biocontrol of Fusarium wilt in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

A study was carried out to test direct and indirect antagonistic effect against Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC), and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of bacteria isolated from rhizosphere soils of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). A total of 40 bacterial isolates were tested for their antagonistic activity against FOC and of which 10 were found to have strong antagonistic potential. These were found to be Streptomyces spp. (five isolates) and Bacillus spp. (five isolates) in the morphological and biochemical characterisation and 16S rDNA analysis. Under both greenhouse and wilt sick field conditions, the selected Streptomyces and Bacillus isolates reduced disease incidence and delayed expression of symptoms of disease, over the non-inoculated control. The PGP ability of the isolates such as nodule number, nodule weight, shoot weight, root weight, grain yield and stover yield were also demonstrated under greenhouse and field conditions over the non-inoculated control. Among the ten isolates, Streptomyces sp. AC-19 and Bacillus sp. BS-20 were found to have more potential for biocontrol of FOC and PGP in chickpea. This investigation indicates that the selected Streptomyces and Bacillus isolates have the potential to control Fusarium wilt disease and to promote plant growth in chickpea.

Diversity and Functionality of Culturable Endophytic Bacterial Communities in Chickpea Plants.

The aims of this study were to isolate, identify and characterize culturable endophytic bacteria from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) roots grown in different soils. In addition, the effects of rhizobial inoculation, soil and stress on the functionality of those culturable endophytic bacterial communities were also investigated. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the endophytic bacteria isolated in this work belong to the phyla Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, with Enterobacter and Pseudomonas being the most frequently observed genera. Production of indoleacetic acid and ammonia were the most widespread plant growth-promoting features, while antifungal activity was relatively rare among the isolates. Despite the fact that the majority of bacterial endophytes were salt- and Mn-tolerant, the isolates obtained from soil with Mn toxicity were generally more Mn-tolerant than those obtained from the same soil amended with dolomitic limestone. Several associations between an isolate’s genus and specific plant growth-promoting mechanisms were observed. The data suggest that soil strongly impacts the Mn tolerance of endophytic bacterial communities present in chickpea roots while rhizobial inoculation induces significant changes in terms of isolates’ plant growth-promoting abilities. In addition, this study also revealed chickpea-associated endophytic bacteria that could be exploited as sources with potential application in agriculture.

Culturable Stress-Tolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterial Endophytes Associated with Adhatoda vasica

Endophytes are potential source of various novel compounds that help to promote plant growth, eliminate plant pathogens, and enable the plant to resist stress-like conditions. The present study aimed at selecting stress-tolerant bacterial endophytes with plant growth-promoting ability from Adhatoda vasica. Salt-tolerant bacterial endophytes were isolated on nutrient agar with 2.5% NaCl from the leaves of Adhatoda vasica collected from Manipur, India. The isolates were screened for stress tolerance, plant growth-promoting traits, antagonism against fungal phytopathogens and plant growth promotion. Sixteen morphologically distinct salt-tolerant bacterial endophytes were isolated from Adhatoda vasica. All bacterial endophytes showed auxin production while phosphate solubilization was shown by 81% isolates, siderophore production by 75%, ACC deaminase by 43.8% isolates, HCN by 50% isolates, and ammonia by 62.5% isolates. Four bacterial isolates showed antagonistic activity against all the test fungal phytopathogens Fusarium verticillioides (MTCC 3322), Curvularia lunata (MTCC 283), and Alternaria alternata (MTCC 1362). Dendrogram generated based on stress tolerance of the bacterial isolates against salinity, temperature, pH, and calcium salts showed 3 clusters and two independent branches. Two bacterial isolates identified based on phenotypic features and 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Bacillus thuringiensis A1B3 and Bacillus sp. A1B6 significantly increased the growth parameters of pea and maize in comparison to uninoculated control in pots under natural conditions. The attributes of stress tolerance, antagonism against fungal pathogens, and plant growth promotion indicated the potential of Bacillus thuringiensis A1B3 and Bacillus sp. A1B6 to be used as microbial inoculant in agriculture under stressed environment.

Isolation and identification of chromium-tolerant bacterial strains and their potential to promote plant growth

Remediation and management of Chromium (Cr) contaminated soils for safe usage has been a serious challenge. The aim of present work was to isolate and identify Cr tolerant bacterial strains and assessing their plant growth promoting potential under controlled conditions. Soil samples were collected from Gujrat District, Pakistan, and analyzed for Cr content and bacteria isolation. In-vitro screening was done for chromium tolerance and plant growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. The tolerant isolates which also exhibited PGP abilities were used as inoculants in germination and pot trial experiment. The isolates A5 and A6, identified as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Staphylococci saprophyticus through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, were found to be tolerant up to 700 mg L-1 of Cr (VI). Both were effective in solubilizing phosphate but only A5 (Pseudomonas plecoglossicida) was able to produce indole acetic acid. A5 also increased the percentage of seed germination from 17 to 46% and spinach plant’s biomass by 44% with respect to the control. Keeping in view the results obtained, A5 (Pseudomonas plecoglossicida) appeared as the best species that was able to tolerate Cr stress and promote plant growth. Further, it can be developed as a bio-inoculant for non-food agricultural applications for remediation of Cr contaminated soils.

Associative diazotrophic bacteria from forage grasses in the Brazilian semi-arid region are effective plant growth promoters

The study of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can identify outstanding bacteria for crops. For forage grasses adapted to drylands, the selection of PGPB can increase the field performance of pastures. The aim of this study was to isolate, and characterise at molecular, biochemical and symbiotic levels, diazotrophic bacteria obtained from buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) from Brazilian semi-arid region fields. Field-grown plants were collected, and the roots were surface-disinfected, crushed and inoculated in a semi-solid medium. After the formation and confirmation of microaerophilic pellicles, the bacteria were isolated and purified. All bacterial isolates were subjected to nifH gene amplification and identified by their partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. The bacteria were evaluated for the production of auxins and siderophores, calcium phosphate solubilisation, and diazotrophic ability as ‘in vitro’ plant growth-promotion traits. A plant inoculation assay was conducted to assess the plant growth-promotion abilities of the bacterial isolates. Twenty-one bacterial isolates harboured the nifH gene (nifH+), among which nine were obtained from sorghum, eight from buffel grass, and four from Tifton 85. The bacterial isolates were classified as Bacillus (8), Stenotrophomonas (7), Agrobacterium (4), Cellulomonas (1) and Paenibacillus (1). All were shown to be auxin producers, with 14 isolates showing diazotrophic capacity ‘in vitro’. Fourteen isolates increased plant N content, but the bacterial strains ESA 392 and ESA 398 (Bacillus), ESA 397 and ESA 407 (Stenotrophomonas), and ESA 401 (Agrobacterium) were shown to promote both plant growth and N nutrition. These strains are candidates for further assays to evaluate their agronomic performance under field conditions, aiming inoculant production for forage grasses in drylands.

Screening of plant growth promotion ability among bacteria isolated from field-grown sorghum under different managements in Brazilian drylands.

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a multipurpose grass cultivated in drylands due to its adaptation to drought. However the characteristics of sorghum-associated bacteria are not known in the Brazilian drylands. The aim of this study was to isolate and evaluate the plant growth promotion potential bacteria from field-grown sorghum under two irrigation and manure application levels in a Brazilian semi-arid reagion. Sorghum was irrigated with 3 or 1mm day-1 and fertilized or not with liquid goat manure. Bacteria were obtained from surface-disinfected roots applying two nitrogen-free semi-solid media. The bacteria were evaluated for the presence of nifH gene, 16S rRNA sequences, calcium-phosphate solubilization, production of auxins and siderophores and for sorghum growth promotion. We obtained 20 out of 24 positive bacteria for nifH. The isolates were classified as in six different genera. All isolates produced auxins "in vitro", six bacteria produced siderophores and three Enterobacteriaceae solubilized calcium-phosphate. At least ten bacteria resulted in the increased total N content in the sorghum shoots, comparable to fertilization with 50mg N plant-1 week-1 and to inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense Ab-V5. Enterobacter sp. ESA 57 was the best sorghum plant-growth promoting bacteria isolated in this study.

Rhizospheric and endospheric diazotrophs mediated soil fertility intensification in sugarcane-legume intercropping systems

Sugarcane-legume intercrops have gained attention because of their ability to improve crop productivity in an ecofriendly manner. We investigated the roles of rhizospheric and endospheric diazotrophs in soil nutrient transformation. We conducted two field experiments with three treatments: sugarcane monoculture, sugarcane + peanut intercrop, and sugarcane + soybean intercrop. Soil and plant samples were collected and the nutrient content, enzymatic activity, and diazotroph population were assessed. The nitrogenase (nifH) gene and 16S rRNA gene were used for molecular characterization. Correlation analysis was performed to discover the relations among the soil variables, plant variables, and microbial communities. The multiple variance analysis results indicated that the intercropping systems had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on soil total P, available K, and soil enzyme dehydrogenase. Higher diazotrophic populations in the rhizosphere and plant endosphere were recovered by sugarcane intercropping. The soybean intercrop had the maximum unique operational taxonomic units (OTUs). A total of 64 nifH gene-positive bacteria were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The BLAST search results classified all diazotrophs into five taxonomic groups: γ-Proteobacteria (28%), Actinobacteria (28%), Firmicutes (25%), β-Proteobacteria (11%), and α-Proteobacteria (8%). All identified bacteria had multiple plant growth-promoting abilities, and only 58% of the bacteria utilized aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) as their sole carbon source. Furthermore, the higher yield and γ-Proteobacteria positively correlated with soil organic matter, and urease activity revealed that intercropping improved soil fertility. Our study concluded that the intercropping system enriched the beneficial diazotrophs in the plant rhizosphere and endosphere and that these microbes could enhance plant growth and serve as effective bioinoculants to sustain sugarcane production. Moreover, higher soil nutrients (NKP) and biological activity showed the significance of our intercropping practice of a short-duration leguminous crop and a long-duration grass crop, and this practice would be a good solution to reduce the overuse of chemical fertilizers.

High salt tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacteria from the common ice-plant Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L

Prevalent salinity hinders the plant growth, and efforts for vegetation are limited due to excessive concentration of salts. The microbiome associated with extreme habitats has the potential of inducing stress avoidance, tolerance, and resistance strategies in the host plants for energy requirements. Manipulation of such interactions offers the potential revegetation, and utilization of saline soils, and with the similar objectives, the rhizosphere of Common ice-plant was explored for incident bacteria helping the plant grow better. The isolation resulted in 152 isolates, and above 50% isolates were observed tolerant to 513 mM of NaCl, and the two, PR-3 and PR-6, most promising even showed tolerance up to 1250 mM salinity. Both the strains showed indole acetic acid production, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity, but neither of them had nitrogen fixation ability. Phosphorus solubilization, and siderophore production was shown by either of them. Plant growth promoting (PGP) assay showed significant root elongation when compared with control, which was further confirmed by the pot experiment where the above-ground part of the Common ice-plant also showed significant growth over control. Concluding, rhizosphere bacteria from the halophyte plant showed different PGP abilities, and thus can be applied for improving the growth of associated plant in saline conditions.

Plant growth-promoting Rhizopseudomonas: expanded biotechnological purposes and antimicrobial resistance concern

The present study was conducted to characterize a collection of plant growth-promoting (PGP) Rhizopseudomonas isolated from date palm roots for their biosurfactant production ability, heavy metal tolerance, and antimicrobial susceptibility. A collection of 36 bacterial strains was evaluated for several plant growth-promoting abilities including indole acetic acid (IAA) production, mineral phosphate solubilization, siderophores and ammonia release, and protease and cellulase activity. Biosurfactant production was screened throughout hemolytic activity, bleu agar test, and drop collapse method. Strains exhibiting tolerance to heavy metals at high concentration were subjected to PCR for the detection of heavy metal gene tolerance. Moreover, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined using the disk-diffusion method. High rates of plant growth promotion activities were registered among the isolated rhizopseudomonads, mainly, the indole acetic acid production (88.8%), phosphate solubilization (63.8%), siderophore release (83.3%), and ammonia synthesis (52.7%). Furthermore, biosurfactant production was recorded, using three distinct methods, on 77.7% of the tested strains. Particularly, two strains affiliated to Pseudomonas vancouverensis and Pseudomonas brassicacearum harboring copA-arsR and arsB genes, respectively, and producing biosurfactants, were selected. The evaluation of antibiotic resistance dissemination risk analysis in the environment revealed a low rate of resistance among the analyzed strains and the absence of known antibiotic resistance genes. This investigation could provide the basis for the development of microbial inoculums showing multifarious properties for biotechnological application while caring human health.

Genome sequencing and assessment of plant growth-promoting properties of a Serratia marcescens strain isolated from vermicompost

BackgroundPlant-bacteria associations have been extensively studied for their potential in increasing crop productivity in a sustainable manner. Serratia marcescens is a species of Enterobacteriaceae found in a wide range of environments, including soil.ResultsHere we describe the genome sequencing and assessment of plant growth-promoting abilities of S. marcescens UENF-22GI, a strain isolated from mature cattle manure vermicompost. In vitro, S. marcescens UENF-22GI is able to solubilize P and Zn, to produce indole compounds (likely IAA), to colonize hyphae and counter the growth of two phytopathogenic fungi. Inoculation of maize with this strain remarkably increased seedling growth and biomass under greenhouse conditions. The S. marcescens UENF-22GI genome has 5 Mb, assembled in 17 scaffolds comprising 4662 genes (4528 are protein-coding). No plasmids were identified. S. marcescens UENF-22GI is phylogenetically placed within a clade comprised almost exclusively of non-clinical strains. We identified genes and operons that are likely responsible for the interesting plant-growth promoting features that were experimentally described. The S. marcescens UENF-22GI genome harbors a horizontally-transferred genomic island involved in antibiotic production, antibiotic resistance, and anti-phage defense via a novel ADP-ribosyltransferase-like protein and possible modification of DNA by a deazapurine base, which likely contributes to its competitiveness against other bacteria.ConclusionsCollectively, our results suggest that S. marcescens UENF-22GI is a strong candidate to be used in the enrichment of substrates for plant growth promotion or as part of bioinoculants for agriculture.

Isolation, Diversity, and Growth-Promoting Activities of Endophytic Bacteria From Tea Cultivars of Zijuan and Yunkang-10.

Endophytes are rich in plant tissues and play important roles in plant-microbial interactions and plant-growth regulation. Here, endophytic bacteria from two closely related tea cultivars of Zijuan and Yunkang-10 were isolated, and the diversities were compared. Plant-growth promoting (PGP) activities were determined on the dominant groups or nitrogen-fixing genera from the two cultivars. Endophytic bacteria were isolated by using of different selective media and methods, and the PGP activities were investigated by analytical and molecular technologies. A total of 110 isolates of 18 genera belonging to three phylums (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes) were obtained from Zijuan, while 164 isolates of 22 genera belonging to two phylums (Proteobacteria and Firmicutes) were obtained from Yunkang-10. PGP screening indicated that Herbaspirillum spp., Methylobacterium spp., and Brevundimonas spp. showed different PGP abilities. The PGP ability decreased in order of Herbaspirillum spp., Brevundimonas spp. and Methylobacterium spp., and the majority of Methylobacterium spp. did not showed PGP activity of nitrogen-fixation, P-solubilization, siderophore, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. The study of bacterial community and PGP activities confirmed that endophytes in tea plants are constantly changing in different seasons and tea cultivars, and the PGP bacteria in Zijuan are much abundant than those of Yunkang-10.

Endophytic Bacillus strains enhance pearl millet growth and nutrient uptake under low-P.

Bacterial endophytes are considered to have a beneficial effect on host plants, improving their growth by different mechanisms. The objective of this study was to investigate the capacity of four endophytic Bacillus strains to solubilize iron phosphate (Fe-P), produce siderophores and indole-acetic acid (IAA) in vitro, and to evaluate their plant growth promotion ability in greenhouse conditions by inoculation into pearl millet cultivated in a P-deficient soils without P fertilization, with Araxá rock phosphate or soluble triple superphosphate. All strains solubilized Fe-P and three of them produced carboxylate-type siderophores and high levels of IAA in the presence of tryptophan. Positive effect of inoculation of some of these strains on shoot and root dry weight and the N P K content of plants cultivated in soil with no P fertilization might result from the synergistic combination of multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. Specifically, while B1923 enhanced shoot and root dry weight and root N P content of plants cultivated with no P added, B2084 and B2088 strains showed positive performance on biomass production and accumulation of N P K in the shoot, indicating that they have higher potential to be microbial biofertilizer candidates for commercial applications in the absence of fertilization.

Endophytic bacterial community of rice (Oryza sativa L.) from coastal saline zone of West Bengal: 16S rRNA gene based metagenomics approach

Rice is one of the most important cereal crops and a staple food for more than half of the world's population and West Bengal is its leading producer in India. But several abiotic conditions, like draught, soil salinity affect rice productivity. A novel approach using endophytic bacteria to ameliorate various stress conditions is gaining popularity for the betterment of agriculture. However, work on endophytic bacteria isolated from rice has not been properly evaluated in India. In this study we wanted to explore the diversity of bacterial endophytes inhabiting roots of rice plants growing in the Coastal saline zone of Sundarbans, West Bengal. This has been achieved through amplicon metagenomics of bacterial 16S rRNA gene in the IlluminaMiSeq platform. In our investigation endophytic bacterial community was exclusively dominated by the order Rickettsiales followed by Enterobacteriales. Our result identified the genera, some of whom have potential plant growth promotion (PGP) abilities as well as role in defense mechanisms of plants (viz. Pantoea, Enterobacter, Paenibacillus, etc.). Few genera (viz. Aerinimonas, Arcobacter, Chitinophaga, Hydrogenispora, Sulfospirillum, etc.) identified in our study have not been reported previously as endophytes and most probably are unique endophytes of this region. This study has enumerated the diversity of endophytic bacteria from rice grown in the saline zone of West Bengal that would help us to design a better strategy for cultivation under abiotic stress condition.

Use of statistical experimental methods for optimization of collagenolytic protease production by Bacillus cereus strain SUK grown on fish scales.

In this study, novel and cheap sources like fish scales and molasses were used for the production of collagenolytic protease. Statistical optimization of different parameters for the production of collagenolytic protease by Bacillus cereus strain SUK has been carried out using response surface methodology (RSM). Three most significant medium components identified by Plackett-Burman (PB) were fish scales, molasses, and incubation time, which were further optimized using central composite design (CCD). The medium having fish scales 9.38gl-1, molasses 2.42gl-1, and incubation time of 67.34h was found to be optimum for maximum collagenolytic protease production. B. cereus strain SUK has shown multiple plant growth-promoting traits, whereas degraded fish scale hydrolysates (FSHs) were having antimicrobial as well as plant growth-promoting abilities. The collagenolytic efficiency of this isolate can be exploited in an eco-friendly process of bioconversion of fish waste, representing an alternative way of waste management that could be used to produce various value-added products, such as collagenolytic protease, microbial biomass, amino acids, protein hydrolysates, and collagen peptides.