Phylogenetic diversity of culturable bacteria from Antarctic sandy intertidal sediments

The diversity of culturable bacteria associated with sandy intertidal sediments from the coastal regions of the Chinese Antarctic Zhongshan Station on the Larsemann Hills (Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica) was investigated. A total of 65 aerobic heterotrophic bacterial strains were isolated at 4°C. Microscopy and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the isolates were dominated by Gram-negative bacteria, while only 16 Gram-positive strains were isolated. The bacterial isolates fell in five phylogenetic groups: Alpha- and Gammaproteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. Based on phylogenetic trees, all the 65 isolates were sorted into 29 main clusters, corresponding to at least 29 different genera. Based on sequence analysis (<98% sequence similarity), the Antarctic isolates belonged to at least 37 different bacterial species, and 14 of the 37 bacterial species (37.8%) represented potentially novel taxa. These results indicated a high culturable diversity within the bacterial community of the Antarctic sandy intertidal sediments.     

花生种子相关促生菌分离鉴定及功能评价

【背景】利用微生物促进植物健康生长是农业可持续发展的重要方向之一,而种子相关的促生菌可在植物生命周期早期与植物相互作用,对植物健康生长具有重要意义。【目的】发掘与利用种子相关促生菌的前提是筛选获得促生菌菌种资源,验证其益生能力,为其进一步应用与机理研究提供依据与支持。【方法】以花生种子为研究对象,从种子表面及种子内部分离纯化多株菌,测定菌株的固氮、解磷、解钾、吲哚乙酸合成和铁载体合成等促生能力,并验证菌株对常见植物病原菌的生长抑制特性;通过16S rRNA基因序列进行系统发育分析,确定分类地位;通过生物膜形成能力及根际定殖能力测定菌株在植物根际的生存能力;最后通过催芽及盆栽试验测定菌株对花生种子发芽及幼苗生长的影响。【结果】从花生种子表面、种子内和胚根内分离筛选到41株菌,均有吲哚乙酸合成能力,其中35株有固氮能力,2株有铁载体分泌能力,14株有植物病原菌生长抑制能力。各选一株为代表的菌株,即PS3、PE5和PR5,经16S rRNA基因序列比对分析鉴定为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)。PS3、PE5和PR5均可在MSgg液体培养基表面形成褶皱较强的生物膜,也可在花生根际形成有效定殖。催芽试验结果表明经过促生菌浸种后花生种子萌发率明显提高,在第2天时,PS5将发芽率由14.17%提高至38.33%,PE5发芽率提高至30.83%,PR5发芽率提高至39.17%。三株菌能够明显促进花生幼苗生长,PS5对花生幼苗苗高、根长、鲜重和干重分别提高21.82%、22.20%、37.11%和35.64%,PE5分别提高17.45%、18.93%、26.10%和21.18%,PR5分别提高23.11%、23.92%、38.66%和37.47%。【结论】筛选获得的花生种子相关促生菌,具有促进植物生长的潜力,明显促进种子萌发及幼苗生长,是良好的促生菌生物资源,具有较好的应用潜力。     

Pathogenicity and repulsion for toxin‐producing bacteria of dominant bacteria on the surface of American pine wood nematodes

Bacteria were isolated from the surface of two samples of American pine wood nematodes to identify methods of controlling pine wilt disease. The dominant bacterial strains were identified, and their toxicity and pathogenicity, in addition to their competitiveness with other pathogenic bacteria, were measured to ascertain how bacteria on the surface of American pine wood nematodes might be used to prevent and control pine wilt disease. The bacterial isolates show that the dominant bacteria carried by the two samples of pine wood nematodes are US4, US5, Smal‐007 and Rrad‐006. Based on routine staining, morphological observation and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the four strains were identified as Delftia lacustris, Pseudomonas putida, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Rhizobium nepotum. The incubation of four dominant bacterial strains and Chinese dominant bacterial strains on the surface of aseptic nematodes and in nutrient broth showed that Smal‐007 and Rrad‐006 have strong competitiveness on the surface of pine wood nematodes. Using a bacterial culture medium to measure the propensity of pine seedlings to wilt, all the American dominant bacterial strains were shown to be less toxic than the Chinese dominant strains. If pine seedlings are inoculated with both bacterial and aseptic pine wood nematodes, American dominant bacterial strains present less pathogenicity than the Chinese dominant bacterial strains. In particular, Smal‐007 and Rrad‐006 show the lowest pathogenicity. If pine seedlings are inoculated with both bacterial and wild pine wood nematodes, American dominant bacterial strains significantly reduce the pathogenicity of wild pine wood nematodes isolated from Zhejiang Province, China. The effects of Smal‐007 and Rrad‐006 are confirmed as the most prominent. The American dominant strains Smal‐007 and Rrad‐006 satisfy two main requirements: excellent repulsion performance and low pathogenicity. Therefore, they can be used as candidate strains for biocontrol bacteria.     

宁夏黄土高原马铃薯连作栽培对土壤可培养细菌遗传多样性的影响

采用平板培养、BOXAIR-PCR和16S rDNA RFLP技术对宁夏黄土高原马铃薯连作栽培土壤可培养细菌遗传多样性进行研究。结果表明,4个连作年限2个生育期8份土样共分离到91株细菌菌株, BOXAIR-PCR分析发现,91株细菌菌株的遗传相似系数为0.531～0.939,相同连作年限不同生育期根际土细菌菌群分布不同,不同连作年限同一生育期根际土细菌菌群的分布也不同,随着连作年限增加,可培养细菌遗传多样性呈现下降趋势;结合16S rDNA 的序列分析,从91株菌株中筛选出的41个代表菌株可分为23个物种,分属于细菌域的12个属,其中,芽孢杆菌属（Bacillus）占同一连作年限菌株数的53.6%。连作导致土壤细菌菌群结构发生变化,出现各自特有的菌属。系统发育分析表明,23个细菌物种分布于6个系统发育群。     

乌头产吲哚乙酸内生细菌遗传多样性、抗逆性及其对水稻幼苗生长的影响

[目的]探究乌头产吲咮乙酸(IAA)内生细菌的遗传多样性、溶磷解钾能力、抗逆能力及其对水稻幼苗生长的影响,为道地产区乌头产业可持续发展提供科技支撑.[方法]从健康乌头植株分离可培养内生细菌,采用Salkowski比色法测定内生细菌产IAA能力,16S rDNA限制性片段长度多样性(16S rDNA-RFLP)及16S ...     

Characterization of plant-growth promoting diazotrophic bacteria isolated from field grown Chinese cabbage under different fertilization conditions

Diazotrophic bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Chinese cabbage were assessed for other plant growth promoting characteristics viz., production of IAA, ethylene, ACC deaminase, phosphate solubilization, and gnotobiotic root elongation. Their effect on inoculation to Chinese cabbage was also observed under growth chamber conditions. A total of 19 strains that showed higher nitrogenase activity identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis were found to be the members of the genera Pseudomonas and Agrobacterium belonging to α- and γ-Proteobacteria groups. These strains were also efficient in producing IAA and ACC deaminase though they produced low levels of ethylene and no phosphate solubilization. In addition, inoculation of selected diazotrophic bacterial strains significantly increased seedling length, dry weight, and total nitrogen when compared to uninoculated control. The colonization of crop plants by diazotrophic bacteria can be affected by many biotic and abiotic factors, and further studies are oriented towards investigating the factors that could influence the establishment of a selected bacterial community.     

Epiphytic pink-pigmented methylotrophic bacteria enhance germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum) by producing phytohormone

Methylotrophic bacteria were isolated from the phyllosphere of different crop plants such as sugarcane, pigeonpea, mustard, potato and radish. The methylotrophic isolates were differentiated based on growth characteristics and colony morphology on methanol supplemented ammonium mineral salts medium. Amplification of the mxaF gene helped in the identification of the methylotrophic isolates as belonging to the genus Methylobacterium. Cell-free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum) with highest values of 98.3% observed using Methylobacterium sp. (NC4). Highest values of seedling length and vigour were recorded with Methylobacterium sp. (NC28). HPLC analysis of production by bacterial strains ranged from 1.09 to 9.89 μg ml⁻¹ of cytokinins in the culture filtrate. Such cytokinin producing beneficial methylotrophs can be useful in developing bio-inoculants through co-inoculation of pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs with other compatible bacterial strains, for improving plant growth and productivity, in an environment-friendly manner.     

Evaluation of Agricultural Production Systems Simulator as yield predictor of Panicum virgatum and Miscanthus x giganteus in several US environments

Simulation models for perennial energy crops such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) can be useful tools to design management strategies for biomass productivity improvement in US environments. The Agricultural Production Systems Simulator (APSIM) is a biophysical model with the potential to simulate the growth of perennial crops. APSIM crop modules do not exist for switchgrass and Miscanthus, however, re‐parameterization of existing APSIM modules could be used to simulate the growth of these perennials. Our aim was to evaluate the ability of APSIM to predict the dry matter (DM) yield of switchgrass and Miscanthus at several US locations. The Lucerne (for switchgrass) and Sugarcane (for Miscanthus) APSIM modules were calibrated using data from four locations in Indiana. A sensitivity analysis informed the relative impact of changes in plant and soil parameters of APSIM Lucerne and APSIM Sugarcane modules. An independent dataset of switchgrass and Miscanthus DM yields from several US environments was used to validate these re‐parameterized APSIM modules. The re‐parameterized modules simulated DM yields of switchgrass [0.95 for CCC (concordance correlation coefficient) and 0 for SB (bias of the simulation from the measurement)] and Miscanthus (0.65 and 0% for CCC and SB, respectively) accurately at most locations with the exception of switchgrass at southern US sites (0.01 for CCC and 2% for SB). Therefore, the APSIM model is a promising tool for simulating DM yields for switchgrass and Miscanthus while accounting for environmental variability. Given our study was strictly based on APSIM calibrations at Indiana locations, additional research using more extensive calibration data may enhance APSIM robustness.     

贵州兴义喀斯特洞穴土可培养细菌多样性及其产蛋白酶、淀粉酶活性筛选

【目的】进一步了解贵州喀斯特洞穴土可培养细菌的物种多样性组成及其产蛋白酶、淀粉酶生物活性能力。【方法】选取11种分离培养基,利用稀释直接涂布平板法对贵州黔西南兴义市喀斯特地区白碗窑镇魔家大溶洞洞内土壤进行可培养细菌分离;利用两种鉴定培养基对相关细菌进行生物活性判定。【结果】根据16S rRNA基因序列的系统进化分析,将分离得到的217株细菌分别归类到24个属的63个不同种类,其中红球菌属(Rhodococcus)和链霉菌属(Streptomyces)为该洞内土壤可培养细菌的优势菌群,分别占24.42%和21.66%。大多数菌株与已知典型菌株的16S rRNA基因序列相似性为97.90%-99.99%,其中至少有4株菌株(D3T01、D911、D961和D502)为潜在的新分类单元。对217株细菌进行蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性筛选,其中具有蛋白酶或淀粉酶活性的99株,占分离菌株的45.62%,分别属于18个属的38个不同种;同时具有蛋白酶和淀粉酶活性的36株,占具有酶活性菌株的36.36%,占分离菌株的16.59%。【结论】贵州兴义喀斯特洞穴土中存在丰富多样的细菌类群,且蕴藏着一定数量的潜在新物种资源;此外功能酶菌株在喀斯特洞穴土壤中大量存在,为工业应用奠定了资源基础,极具进一步发掘和研究的价值。     

广西三种真红树植物可培养细菌多样性及其生物活性初筛

为了挖掘真红树植物潜在细菌新物种和生物活性物质,丰富红树林微生物多样性,为新型活性产物开发提供菌株资源。该文从秋茄、木榄和红海榄三种广西来源的真红树植物及其生境中,按根、茎、叶、花、果实和泥土分成22份样品,选用8种不同培养基分离可培养细菌,通过16S rRNA基因序列鉴定,分析其多样性,采用纸片法筛选细菌发酵粗提物的抑菌活性,点植法测试其酶活性。结果表明:(1)共分离获得可培养细菌35株,隶属于23个科28个属,芽孢杆菌属占细菌总数的14.3%,为优势菌属,同时发现11株潜在的新细菌资源。(2)活性筛选获得4株细菌具有抑菌活性,16株细菌具有酶活性,芽孢杆菌属是酶活性优势菌属。综上所述,广西真红树植物可培养细菌多样性丰富,部分细菌具有抑菌活性和酶活性,在新型抗生素和酶应用方面具有一定的开发潜力。     

Parasitic Bacteria and Fungi on Common Mistletoe (Viscum album L.) and Their Potential Application in Biocontrol

This study was carried out to identify pathogenic bacteria and fungi on mistletoe (Viscum album L.) and investigate their potential use in biological control of this parasitic plant. For this purpose, a total of 48 fungal isolate and 193 bacterial strains were isolated from contaminated V. album during the summers 2005–2006. The isolated bacterial strains and fungal isolates were identified by using the Sherlock Microbial Identification System (MIS; Microbial ID, Newark) and microscopic methods, respectively. The bacterial strains that induced hypersensitive reaction (HR) on tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.) and fungal isolates were tested for pathogenicity on young shoots of mistletoe by using injection methods. The pathogenic bacterial strains and fungal isolates were also tested for their activity against mistletoe using spray methods. Five bacterial strains (two Burkholderia cepacia, one each of Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus and Pandoraea pulminicola) were HR and pathogenicity positive when injected but none of them when sprayed on mistletoe. When fungi were injected, 32 isolates were pathogenic but only thirteen when sprayed on mistletoe. Alternaria alternata VA?‐202, VA?‐205, VA?‐217 and Acremonium kiliense VA‐11 fungal isolates were the most effective ones and caused strong disease symptoms on mistletoe. The present study is the first report on the efficiency of potential biocontrol agents against mistletoe in Turkey.     

Culturable bacterial communities on leaf sheaths and panicles of rice plants in Japan

Culturable bacterial communities on rice plants were investigated from 2001 to 2003. In total, 1,394 bacterial isolates were obtained from the uppermost leaf sheaths at 1 month before heading time and from leaf sheaths and panicles at heading time. The average culturable bacterial population on the leaf sheaths was larger at heading time than at 1 month previously. Furthermore, the population was significantly larger on panicles than on leaf sheaths, suggesting that the bacterial population is influenced by the organs of rice plants. Larger proportions of bacteria were obtained from the macerates of leaf sheaths after washing with phosphate buffer, and most culturable bacteria were verified to inhabit the inside or inner surface, rather than the outer surface, of the tissues. Verification of the bacterial composition based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that genera of Sphingomonas, Microbacterium, Methylobacterium, and Acidovorax tended to be dominant colonizers on leaf sheaths, whereas Pseudomonas and Pantoea were isolated mainly from the panicles, indicating that leaf sheaths and panicles harbor distinct communities. Furthermore, the richness of bacterial genera was less on both leaf sheaths and panicles at heading time compared with that observed 1 month before heading time. Phylogenetic analyses using bacterial isolates belonging to the four dominant genera inhabiting leaf sheaths at heading time revealed that particular bacterial groups in each genus colonized the leaf sheaths.     

Characterization of culturable heterotrophic bacteria in hydrocarbon-contaminated soil from an alpine former military site

We characterized the culturable, heterotrophic bacterial community in soil collected from a former alpine military site contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. The physiologically active eubacterial community, as revealed by fluorescence-in situ-hybridization, accounted for 14.9 % of the total (DAPI-stained) bacterial community. 4.0 and 1.2 % of the DAPI-stained cells could be attributed to culturable, heterotrophic bacteria able to grow at 20 and 10 °C, respectively. The majority of culturable bacterial isolates (23/28 strains) belonged to the Proteobacteria with a predominance of Alphaproteobacteria. The remaining isolates were affiliated with the Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Five strains could be identified as representatives of novel species. Characterization of the 28 strains demonstrated their adaptation to the temperature and nutrient conditions prevailing in the studied soil. One-third of the strains was able to grow at subzero temperatures (?5 °C). Studies on the effect of temperature on growth and lipase production with two selected strains demonstrated their low-temperature adaptation.     

Effect of natamycin on the enumeration, genetic structure and composition of bacterial community isolated from soils and soybean rhizosphere

Natamycin is commonly used to control fungal growth on agar media used for bacterial enumeration or strain isolation. However, there is no conclusive report on the possible effect of this antibiotic on bacterial growth or on the diversity of the recovered soil bacteria. Therefore, the possible effects of natamycin on the numbers of bacteria isolated at 12 degrees C from three different soils and soybean rhizosphere soil were investigated using natamycin concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 mg l(-1). Our results demonstrate that natamycin concentrations, which inhibit the growth of fungi on the media, have a small but significant inhibitory effect on the number of bacterial colony forming units. A natamycin concentration of 50-200 mg l(-1) is required for an efficient control of fungal growth on media in our experimental conditions depending on the soil type. Bacterial community structure was assessed on culturable cells (cells washed from enumeration plates: plate-wash approach) obtained at 12 degrees C from soybean rhizosphere soil by performing Ribosomal Intergenic Spacer Analysis (RISA) fingerprinting. We demonstrate that all natamycin concentrations used alter the structure of the recovered, culturable bacterial community, compared to control without natamycin. Using ARDRA (amplification of the 16S rDNA gene and restriction analysis) genotyping of individual isolates, some differences were observed between the bacterial isolates obtained in the presence or absence of natamycin. Bacterial isolates recovered in the presence of natamycin are more tolerant (maximal growth rate and lag phase) to this compound than those isolated without natamycin, indicating a possible selection of resistant strains. Therefore, high concentration of natamycin cannot be used for isolation of bacterial strains with the aim of studying biodiversity and could bias a selection of strains for practical applications.     

A comparative study of the infection of perennial ryegrass by Fusarium nivale and F. culmorum in sterilized soil

Fusarium nivale and F. culmorum were frequently found in association with damaged perennial ryegrass. In glasshouse experiments using sterilized soil the pathogenicity of F. nivale isolates varied greatly, but those which were pathogenic reduced seedling emergence and damaged established young plants. All the F. culmorum isolates tested significantly reduced the emergence of S321 perennial ryegrass seedlings, but none had any effect on the growth of established seedlings. Combined inoculations with both Fusarium species further reduced seedling emergence but resulted in less damage to established seedlings than was obtained with F. nivale alone.     

Combined use of Alkane-Degrading and Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Enhanced Phytoremediation of Diesel Contaminated soil

Inoculation of plants with pollutant-degrading and plant growth-promoting microorganisms is a simple strategy to enhance phytoremediation activity. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of inoculation of different bacterial strains, possessing alkane-degradation and 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, on plant growth and phytoremediation activity. Carpet grass (Axonopus affinis) was planted in soil spiked with diesel (1% w/w) for 90 days and inoculated with different bacterial strains, Pseudomonas sp. ITRH25, Pantoea sp. BTRH79 and Burkholderia sp. PsJN, individually and in combination. Generally, bacterial application increased total numbers of culturable hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the rhizosphere of carpet grass, plant biomass production, hydrocarbon degradation and reduced genotoxicity. Bacterial strains possessing different beneficial traits affect plant growth and phytoremediation activity in different ways. Maximum bacterial population, plant biomass production and hydrocarbon degradation were achieved when carpet grass was inoculated with a consortium of three strains. Enhanced plant biomass production and hydrocarbon degradation were associated with increased numbers of culturable hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the rhizosphere of carpet grass. The present study revealed that the combined use of different bacterial strains, exhibiting different beneficial traits, is a highly effective strategy to improve plant growth and phytoremediation activity.     

小花老鼠簕可培养细菌多样性及其生物学活性研究

小花老鼠簕(Acanthus ebracteatus)是一种生长在红树生态系统的珍稀真红树植物,具有较高的药用价值。为研究小花老鼠簕内生及根际可培养细菌多样性,挖掘其潜在新物种及具有特殊生物学活性的菌株,该文利用7种不同培养基,通过传统稀释涂布法对小花老鼠簕各植物组织及根际土壤可培养细菌进行分离,基于16S rRNA基因序列解析其内生及根际细菌群落结构和多样性特征,应用植物病原菌平板对峙实验和平铺捕食活性测试分析其可培养细菌的抗菌活性。结果表明：(1)基于16S rRNA基因序列分析,发现从小花老鼠簕的根、茎、叶、花及根际土壤中分离得到144株可培养细菌,这些细菌隶属于18目26科37属66种,芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)和链霉菌属(Streptomyces)为优势菌属,分别占细菌种数的15.1%和13.6%;(2)拮抗多种植物病原菌试验结果显示,获得29株具有拮抗植物病原菌活性的细菌,10株具有广谱抑菌活性,其中链霉菌属菌株拮抗作用最强且菌株Y129为潜在新物种。(3)捕食活性测试结果显示,有5株细菌对金黄色葡萄球菌(Staphylococcus aureus)、耐甲氧西林金黄色葡...     

Isolation and Characterization of Nonrhizobial Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria from Nodules of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kudzu</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pueraria thunbergiana</Emphasis>) and Their Effect on Wheat Seedling Growth

The leguminous vine Kudzu (Pueraria thunbergiana) is an introduction into the N. W. Himalayan region of India. Despite its value as a fodder and cover crop, little is known about the nature of the nodule microflora. In an attempt to study the nodule bacteria, we isolated and characterized three nonrhizobial plant growth promoting bacteria from surface sterilized nodules of Kudzu. Based on the sequencing of the 16 S r RNA gene, the isolates were designated as Bacillus thuringiensis KR-1, Enterobacter asburiae KR-3, and Serratia marcescens KR-4. Crystalline bodies were detected in the isolate KR-1, confirming its identity as B. thuringiensis. Under in vitro conditions, all three isolates were found to produce indole acetic acid. Other plant growth promotion attributes such as P solubilization, hydrogen cyanide production, and ammonia production varied among the isolates. All of the three isolates promoted growth and positively influenced nutrient uptake parameters of wheat seedlings.     

Diversity and antibacterial activity of bacteria isolated from the coastal marine sponges Amphilectus fucorum and Eurypon major

Aims: To assess the diversity and antimicrobial activity of culturable bacteria associated with two temperate‐water marine sponges, Amphilectus fucorum and Eurypon major. Methods and Results: Sponge samples were collected in August 2008 and bacteria were cultured on several different media. The 16S rRNA gene of representative strains was sequenced to allow classification. It was found that Proteobacteria were the dominant group of bacteria cultured from both sponges, but overall, the bacterial composition was diverse and distinct between the sponges. The most notable features were the significantly higher proportion of firmicutes in E. major and the low frequency of actinobacteria in both sponges. Four bacterial isolates were identified as potentially novel species and will be characterised in future studies. Approximately 400 cultured bacteria were screened for antimicrobial activity against a collection of indicator strains, with only eight strains, all Pseudovibrio spp., displaying any such activity. These strains were active against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis but not Staphylococcus aureus or a selection of fungal strains. Conclusions: Diverse and distinct populations of culturable bacteria are present in the coastal sponges A. fucorum and E. major. Only a minority of isolates produce antibacterial metabolites in culture, but this activity is common in Pseudovibrio spp. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study illustrates the diversity of sponge‐associated bacteria and the need to increase our knowledge about the function of these symbiotic bacteria. The data suggest that production of antibacterial metabolites is restricted to a subset of species, with the majority involved in other functions. The importance of Pseudovibrio as a reservoir of antibacterial metabolites is also highlighted.     

Role of dissimilatory fermentative iron-reducing bacteria in Fe uptake by common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants grown in alkaline soil

Iron (Fe) is an essential element for plant growth and development. Some plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria can increase Fe uptake by plants through reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II) at the root surface. The aim of this work was to identify novel bacterial strains with high Fe(III) reduction ability and to evaluate their role in plant Fe uptake. Four bacterial strains (UMCV1 to UMCV4) showing dissimilatory Fe-reducing activity were isolated from the rhizosphere of bean and maize plants and further identified by 16S rDNA amplification and sequence analysis. From these analyses, UMCV1 and UMCV2 isolates were identified as Bacillus megaterium and Arthrobacter spp., respectively, whereas UMCV3 and UMCV4 were identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. All four isolates showed Fe reduction in a nonflooded soil and when associated with roots of bean plants grown in alkaline soil or in mineral medium. In addition, the bacterial isolates were able to stimulate plant growth in vitro and on a broad level, plants grown in inoculated soil were generally bigger and with higher Fe content than those grown in sterilized soil. These results indicate that bacterial species isolated from the rhizosphere of bean and maize plants contribute significantly to Fe uptake by plants likely through increased Fe(III) reduction in the rhizosphere.