Isolation of fluorescent pseudomonads from the rhizosphere of banana plants antagonistic towards root necrosing fungi

Total aerobic bacteria and fluorescent pseudomonads were counted in bulk and rhizospheric soils of banana plants of 14 plantations in Martinique (French West Indies). Fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were then identified and investigated for in vitro antagonism towards Cylindrocladium sp., a fungal pathogen of banana roots. Total aerobic bacteria and fluorescent pseudomonads were significantly more abundant in rhizospheric soils than in bulk soils. Among 58 fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates, 41 were identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens biovar V and 17 as Ps. putida biovar A. Six strains exhibited an antagonism towards Cylindrocladium isolates. Among them, Ps. putida strain 93.1 totally blocked fungal growth. No relationship was established between the antifungal effect and enzyme or hydrogen cyanide production by bacteria, suggesting that siderophores and other compounds were involved in fungal inhibition. Antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads represent a potential for the biological control of banana root infections by Cylindrocladium sp.     

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of PGPR fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from the rhizosphere of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.)

The genetic diversity of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) fluorescent pseudomonads associated with the sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) rhizosphere was analyzed. Selected isolates were screened for plant growthpromoting properties including production of indole acetic acid, phosphate solubilization, denitrification ability, and production of antifungal metabolites. Furthermore, 16S rDNA sequence analysis was performed to identify and differentiate these isolates. Based on 16S rDNA sequence similarity, the isolates were designated as Pseudomonas plecoglossicida, P. fluorescens, P. libaniensis, and P. aeruginosa. Differentiation of isolates belonging to the same group was achieved through different genomic DNA fingerprinting techniques, including randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA), repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP), enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC), and bacterial repetitive BOX elements (BOX) analyses. The genetic diversity observed among the isolates and rep-PCR-generated fingerprinting patterns revealed that PGPR fluorescent pseudomonads are associated with the rhizosphere of sugarcane and that P. plecoglossicida is a dominant species. The knowledge obtained herein regarding the genetic and functional diversity of fluorescent pseudomonads associated with the sugarcane rhizosphere is useful for understanding their ecological role and potential utilization in sustainable agriculture.     

Functional characterization of antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads associated with rhizospheric soil of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from rhizospheric soil of rice were characterized by 16S rRNA amplicon and fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analyses. Antagonistic isolates were grown in the fermentation media, and production of antibiotics was confirmed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Production of fungal cell-wall-degrading enzymes such as protease, cellulase, pectinase, and chitinase was determined. Dendrogram based on the major and differentiating fatty acids resulted into 5 clusters, viz., cluster I (P. pseudoalcaligenes group), cluster II (P. plecoglossicida group), cluster III (P. fluorescens group), cluster IV (P. aeruginosa group), and cluster V (P. putida group). Characteristic presence of high relative proportions of cyclopropane (17:0 CYCLO w7c) was observed in antagonistic bacteria. Data revealed biodiversity among antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonads associated with the rice rhizosphere. Results presented in this study will help to identify the antagonistic isolates and to determine their mechanisms that mediate antagonism against fungal pathogens of rice.     

Screening of free-living rhizospheric bacteria for their multiple plant growth promoting activities

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are known to influence plant growth by various direct or indirect mechanisms. In search of efficient PGPR strains with multiple activities, a total of 72 bacterial isolates belonging to Azotobacter, fluorescent Pseudomonas, Mesorhizobium and Bacillus were isolated from different rhizospheric soil and plant root nodules in the vicinity of Aligarh. These test isolates were biochemically characterized. These isolates were screened in vitro for their plant growth promoting traits like production of indoleacetic acid (IAA), ammonia (NH(3)), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore, phosphate solubilization and antifungal activity. More than 80% of the isolates of Azotobacter, fluorescent Pseudomonas and Mesorhizobium ciceri produced IAA, whereas only 20% of Bacillus isolates was IAA producer. Solubilization of phosphate was commonly detected in the isolates of Bacillus (80%) followed by Azotobacter (74.47%), Pseudomonas (55.56%) and Mesorhizobium (16.67%). All test isolates could produce ammonia but none of the isolates hydrolyzed chitin. Siderophore production and antifungal activity of these isolates except Mesorhizobium were exhibited by 10-12.77% isolates. HCN production was more common trait of Pseudomonas (88.89%) and Bacillus (50%). On the basis of multiple plant growth promoting activities, eleven bacterial isolates (seven Azotobacter, three Pseudomonas and one Bacillus) were evaluated for their quantitative IAA production, and broad-spectrum (active against three test fungi) antifungal activity. Almost at all concentration of tryptophan (50-500 microg/ml), IAA production was highest in the Pseudomonas followed by Azotobacter and Bacillus isolates. Azotobacter isolates (AZT(3), AZT(13), AZT(23)), Pseudomonas (Ps(5)) and Bacillus (B(1)) showed broad-spectrum antifungal activity on Muller-Hinton medium against Aspergillus, one or more species of Fusarium and Rhizoctonia bataticola. Further evaluation of the isolates exhibiting multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) traits on soil-plant system is needed to uncover their efficacy as effective PGPR.     

Detection and Characterization of ACC Deaminase in Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria

The enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase converts ACC, the precursor of the plant hormone ethylene to α-ketobutyrate and ammonium. The enzyme has been identified in few soil bacteria, and is proposed to play a key role in plant growth promotion. In this study, the isolates of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria were screened for ACC deaminase activity based on their ability to grow on ACC as a sole nitrogen source. The selected isolates showed the presence of other plant growth promoting characteristics such as IAA production, phosphate solubilization and siderophore production. The role of ACC deaminase in lowering ethylene production under cadmium stress condition was also studied by measuring in vitro ethylene evolution by wheat seedlings treated with ACC deaminase positive isolates. Nucleic acid hybridization confirmed the presence of ACC deaminase gene (acdS) in the bacterial isolates.     

Diversity analysis of pseudomonas in rice rhizosphere for multifaceted plant growth promotion

This investigation was carried out based on the hypothesis that there may be some pseudomonad strains, which could exist in rhizosphere of plant species contributing multifaceted beneficial activities. For this purpose, 21 pseudomonad isolates from the rhizosphere of rice, cultivated in western parts of Tamil Nadu were screened. All the 21 isolates were authenticated as pseudomonads by a genus-specific PCR screening. The molecular diversity of these isolates was investigated by Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis (ARDRA) and the dendrogram obtained from the analysis revealed that all the 21 isolates clustered into seven groups. Further, these isolates were screened for plant growth promoting activities such as diazotrophy (PCR amplification of nifH gene and acetylene reduction assay), Indole acetic acid (IAA) and siderophore production (spectrometrically), 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase for ethylene regulation (PCR screening), mineral solubilization (biochemically) and antagonistic potential against soil pathogenic fungi (dual culture assay). Based on the results, two elite Pseudomonas isolates (S9 and O3) were chosen as multi-functional plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria, paving way for potential use as bioinoculants in rice.     

Exploration and characterization of agriculturally and industrially important haloalkaliphilic bacteria from environmental samples of hypersaline Sambhar lake, India

Screening of bacteria from Sambhar lake, an extreme hypersaline environment of India, led to the isolation of 93 haloalkaliphilic bacteria growing optimally in media with 2?C25?% salt and 6?C12 pH. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, 93 isolates were further categorized into 32 groups, with each group representing a different taxa belonging to 3 phyla (Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria). Majority of the isolates (53.12?%) showed similarity with phylum Firmicutes which was followed by Proteobacteria (40.63?%) and Actinobacteria (6.25?%). The isolates belonging to 32 representative groups were further evaluated for the production of extracellular enzymes viz. amylase, cellulase, protease and xylanase, plant growth promoting attributes and BIOLOG? substrate usage. Among all the isolates, xylanase producing isolates were in maximum (68?%) as compared to protease (56?%), cellulase (40?%), and amylase (37?%) producing strains. Similarly, among plant growth promoting activities, ammonia producing isolates were highest (56?%) when compared to those producing ACC deaminase (53?%), IAA (50?%), hydrogen cyanide (28?%), siderophore (21?%) and solubilizing P (34?%). Isolates showing enzymatic and PGP activities could be further utilized for promoting plant growth in saline affected area.     

具有ACC脱氨酶活性的麻疯树根际促生菌(PGPR)的分离筛选及系统发育分析

[目的]获得具有产ACC、IAA,铁载体,能固氮或解磷的潜在促生菌株.[方法]通过稀释涂布的方法,从麻疯树根际土壤中分离得到98株细菌,从中选取28株以产l-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(ACC)脱氨酶为主要促生指标进行筛选,同时检测了其产吲哚乙酸(IAA)、固氮、解磷及铁载体等促生指标的能力.[结果]结果显示,46％的菌株能产ACC脱氨酶,其含量最高可达到128.308 μmol α-KA/(mg.h),68％的菌株能产生IAA,54％的菌株有固氮的能力,32％的菌株有解磷的能力.少量菌株同时具有产ACC脱氨酶、IAA,固氮,解磷等能力.挑选代表性菌株进行16S rRNA序列分析,这些菌株属于芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、节杆菌属(Arthrobacter)、假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)和产碱杆菌属(Advenella)等8个属,其中多数菌株(50％)属于芽孢杆菌属,系统发育分析表明菌株KLBMP 4817、KLBMP 4821和KLBMP 4824为窄食单胞菌属(Stenotrophomonas)和类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus)的潜在新种.[结论]攀枝花麻疯树根际土壤细菌中含有丰富的遗传多样性,且存在大量的促生菌株.其中,菌株KLBMP 4804产ACC脱氨酶含量最高.菌株KLBMP4820产IAA含量最显著.     

Bacterial Biosynthesis of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate (ACC) Deaminase and Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA) as Endophytic Preferential Selection Traits by Rice Plant Seedlings

In this study, bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere and inside the roots and nodules of berseem clover plants grown in the field in Iran. Two hundred isolates were obtained from the rhizosphere (120 isolates), interior roots (57 isolates), and nodules (23 isolates) of clover plants grown in rotation with rice plants. Production of chitinase, pectinase, cellulase, siderophore, salicylic acid, hydrogen cyanide, indole acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, solubilization of phosphate, antifungal activity against various rice plant pathogen fungi, N₂ fixation, and colonization assay on rice seedlings by these strains was evaluated and compared (endophytic isolates vs. rhizosphere bacteria). The results showed both the number and the ability of plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits were different between endophytic and rhizosphere isolates. A higher percentage of endophytic isolates were positive for production of IAA, ACC deaminase, and siderophore than rhizosphere isolates. Therefore, it is suggested that clover plant may shape its own associated microbial community and act as filters for endophyte communities, and rhizosphere isolates with different (PGP) traits. We also studied the PGP effect of the most promising endophytic and rhizosphere isolates on rice seedlings. A significant relationship among IAA and ACC deaminase production, the size of root colonization, and plant growth (root elongation) in comparison with siderophore production and phosphate solubilization for the isolates was observed. The best bacterial isolates (one endophytic isolate and one rhizosphere isolate), based on their ability to promote rice growth and colonize rice roots, were identified. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, the endophytic isolate CEN7 and the rhizosphere isolate CEN8 were closely related to Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively. It seems that PGP trait production (such as IAA, ACC deaminase) may be required for endophytic and rhizosphere competence as compared to other PGP traits in rice seedlings under constant flooded conditions. The study also shows that the presence of diverse rhizobacteria with effective growth-promoting traits associated with clover plants may be used for sustainable crop management under field conditions.     

Genetic and functional heterogeneities among fluorescent Pseudomonas isolated from environmental samples

Fluorescent Pseudomonas from diverse environmental samples including wastes were identified and screened for the solubilization of tricalcium phosphate, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), production and inhibition of extracellular N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHLs) and characterized for their siderophores. Genotypic analysis by amplified rDNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) and BOX-A1R-based repetitive extragenic palindromic-PCR (BOX-PCR) typing resulted respectively in 14 ARDRA types and 24 different BOX-types with diverse incidence among the analyzed strains. Based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis the isolates were assigned to P. aeruginosa, P. otitidis, P. plecoglossicida, P. mosselii, P. monteilii, P. koreensis, P. taiwanenesis, P. frederiksbergensis and P. graminis. Of the 66 isolates, 56 (84.85%) isolates solubilized tri-calcium phosphate (TCP), 53 (80.30%) isolates produced plant growth hormone IAA, 62 (94%) produced bacteriocin and 34 (52%) isolates produced extracellular N-acylhomoserine lactone while 30 (45%) isolates were able to interfere with N-acylhomoserine lactone. Isolates were clustered into 17 siderotypes and (59)Fe cross-incorporation experiments permitted assignment of all siderotypes but two into well-defined siderovars.     

Bacterial biosynthesis of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-caboxylate (ACC) deaminase,a useful trait to elongation and endophytic colonization of the roots of rice under constant flooded conditions

This study was conducted to investigate the role of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase in Pseudomonas fluorescens strain REN₁ and its ability to reduce ethylene levels produced during stress, endophytically colonize and promote the elongation of the roots of rice seedlings under gnotobiotic conditions. We isolated 80 bacteria from inside roots of rice plants grown in the farmers’ fields in Guilan, Iran. All of the isolates were characterized for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits. In addition, the colonization assay of these isolates on rice seedlings was carried out to screen for competent endophytes. The best bacterial isolate, based on ACC deaminase production, was identified and used for further study. 16S rDNA sequence analysis revealed that the endophyte was closely related to Pseudomonas fluorescens. The results of this study showed ACC deaminase containing P. fluorescens REN1 increased in vitro root elongation and endophytically colonized the root of rice seedlings significantly, as compared to control under constant flooded conditions. The trait of low amount of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production (<15 μg mL⁻¹) and the high production of ACC deaminase by bacteria may be main factors in colonizing rice seedling roots compared to other PGP traits (siderophore production and phosphate solubilization) in this study. Endophytic IAA and ACC deaminase-producing bacteria may be preferential selections by rice seedlings. Therefore, it may be suggested that the utilization of ACC as a nutrient gives the isolates advantages in more endophytic colonization and increase of root length of rice seedlings.     

Plant growth promoting potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from Piper nigrum

Piper nigrum is an interesting plant to study the endophytic microbial factors affecting plant growth because of its unique features. Endophytic bacterial isolation from the plant resulted in the isolation of twelve bacterial isolates which were screened for various plant growth promoting properties like phosphate solubilization, ACC deaminase production, siderophore production etc. Interestingly, seven isolates were found to have IAA biosynthetic potential. Bacterial isolates with multiple plant growth promoting properties were studied for their growth promoting effect on Vigna radiata seedlings. This resulted in the identification of Klebsiella sp. (PnB 10) and Enterobacter sp. (PnB 11) as the isolates with excellent growth promoting properties. The results confirm promising applications of the endophytic bacterial isolates obtained in the study and also their possible growth promoting effect in P. nigrum.     

荧光假单胞菌对食用菌的促生作用及其机理

从小麦根际分离到1株对食用菌有较强促生作用的荧光假单胞菌,命名为假单胞菌P2-10(Pseudomonas sp.P2-10)。该菌株与平菇天达300(Pleurotus ostreatus Td 300)、杏鲍菇杏6(Pleurotus eryngii X6)或鸡腿菇瑞7(Coprinus comatus R7)混合培养,可显著提高这些食用菌菌丝生长速度及诱导并促进子实体的形成和发育。假单胞菌P2-10对食用菌的促生作用来自其代谢产物,可能是通过其1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸(ACC)脱氨酶降解食用菌产生的ACC、减少食用菌乙烯的合成及乙烯对菌丝生长和子实体发育的抑制作用。     

Bacillus strains isolated from rhizosphere showed plant growth promoting and antagonistic activity against phytopathogens

Seven bacterial isolates screened from rhizosphere of common bean growing at Uttarakhand Himalaya showed potential plant growth promoting (PGP) and antagonistic activities. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence the isolate BPR7 was identified as Bacillus sp. BPR7. The strain BPR7 produced IAA, siderophore, phytase, organic acid, ACC deaminase, cyanogens, lytic enzymes, oxalate oxidase, and solubilized various sources of organic and inorganic phosphates as well as potassium and zinc. Strain BPR7 strongly inhibited the growth of several phytopathogens such as Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Colletotricum sp. in vitro. Cell-free culture filtrate of strain BPR7 also caused colony growth inhibition of all test pathogens. PGP and antifungal activities of Bacillus sp. BPR7 suggest that it may be exploited as a potential bioinoculant agent for P. vulgaris.     

Isolation and characterization of drought-tolerant ACC deaminase and exopolysaccharide-producing fluorescent Pseudomonas sp.

The enzyme 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase catalyzes the degradation of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), the immediate precursor of the plant hormone ethylene, into α-ketobutyrate and ammonia. The enzyme has been detected in a limited number of bacteria and plays a significant role in sustaining plant growth and development under biotic and abiotic stress conditions by reducing stress-induced ethylene production in plants. We have screened 32 fluorescent Pseudomonas sp. isolated from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere soils of different crop production systems for drought tolerance using polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000). Nine of these isolates were tolerant to a substrate metric potential of ?0.30 MPa (15 % PEG 6000) and therefore considered to be drought-tolerant. All of these drought-tolerant isolates were screened for ACC deaminase activity using ACC as the sole nitrogen source, and one (SorgP4) was found to be positive for ACC, producing 3.71?±?0.025 and 1.42?±?0.039 μM/mg protein/h of α-ketobutyrate under the non-stress and drought stress condition, respectively. The isolate SorgP4 also showed other plant growth-promoting traits, such as indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore and hydrogen cyanide production. The ACC deaminase gene (acdS) from the isolate SorgP4 was amplified, and the nucleotide sequence alignment of the acdS gene showed significant homology with acdS genes of NCBI Genbank. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis identified the isolate as Pseudomonas fluorescens. Both sequences have been submitted to the NCBI GenBank under the accession numbers JX885767 and KC192771 respectively.     

Characterization of antifungal metabolite produced by a new strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa PUPa3 that exhibits broad-spectrum antifungal activity and biofertilizing traits

AIM: To study the antifungal activity and plant beneficial traits of a broad-spectrum antagonistic fluorescent pseudomonad strain, PUPa3. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strain PUPa3 was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of rice and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the basis of biochemical tests and by comparison of 16S rDNA sequences. This bacterium exhibits a broad-spectrum antifungal activity towards phytopathogenic fungi. The antifungal metabolite by PUPa3 was extracted, purified and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectroscopy (MS). Production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, phosphatase and protease in PUPa3 was determined. Strain PUPa3 did not produce hydrogen cyanide, cellulase and pectinase. CONCLUSION: The antifungal metabolite produced by PUPa3 has been identified as phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN) on the basis of NMR and MS data. Strain PUPa3 showed a broad-spectrum antifungal activity towards a range of phytopathogenic fungi. This bacterium also showed several plant growth-promoting traits but did not show the traits attributed to deleterious rhizobacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Present study reports the production of PCN as well as IAA for the first time by a saprophytic P. aeruginosa strain PUPa3. Because of the production of siderophore, growth hormone, protease and phosphatase and its innate fungicidal potential, this strain can be used as biofertilizer and antagonist against a range of phytopathogenic fungi that infect rice, groundnut, tobacco, chili, mango, sugarcane, tea, cotton and banana.     

Characterization of native fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates associated with alfalfa roots in Uruguayan agroecosystems

Establishment of alfalfa crops is continuously threatened by seedling diseases caused by soilborne pathogens. The use of plant beneficial bacteria as inoculants is a feasible and environmentally friendly means to control soil pathogens. Identifying effective plant growth-promoting strains to use on local crops under local environmental conditions requires the screening of large collections of native isolates. A collection of 738 rhizospheric fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates was obtained from alfalfa plants from three agroecological regions representative of Uruguayan agricultural systems. The isolates were evaluated for in vitro pathogen inhibition, biosurfactant production, phosphate solubilization and the presence of genes involved in antibiotic synthesis. Isolates with strong in vitro antagonistic activity toward Pythium debaryanum were more abundant in alfalfa plants established in a previously natural ecosystem while biosurfactant producers were less abundant in that location. A subset of isolates was selected for genotypic characterization by rep-PCR using BOX primers. Twenty-four genotypes were defined, sixteen from a single geographical origin and eight composed of isolates from multiple origins. Genotypic profiles correlated well with phenotypic traits. A subset of isolates was assayed to determine their ability to protect alfalfa against P. debaryanum damping-off and to promote plant growth. Five native Pseudomonas isolates showed significant effects on alfalfa by increasing plant biomass and/or protecting from pathogen infection. Plant growth promoting isolates from each location were genotypically similar. Our work contributes to the knowledge of the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of rhizospheric fluorescent pseudomonads of forage legumes and the frequency of plant growth promoting traits associated with this group of bacteria in different agricultural systems.     

Promotion of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plant growth by rhizosphere competent 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase-producing streptomycete actinomycetes

The ability of streptomycete actinomycetes to promote growth of tomato through the production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase was evaluated under gnotobiotic and greenhouse conditions. To achieve this, 64 isolates of Streptomyces spp. obtained from a tomato rhizosphere in the United Arab Emirates were initially selected for their ability to produce ACC deaminase as well as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and subsequently for their rhizosphere competence as root colonizers. Of the two selected ACC deaminase-producing isolates showing exceptional rhizosphere competence, S. filipinensis no. 15 produced both ACC deaminase and IAA, whilst S. atrovirens no. 26 did not produce IAA. Under greenhouse conditions, the application of S. filipinensis no. 15 or S. atrovirens no. 26 resulted in the reduction of the endogenous levels of ACC, the immediate precursor of ethylene, in both roots and shoots and increased plant growth. Plant growth promotion was most pronounced in the presence of S. filipinensis no. 15 compared to S. atrovirens no. 26. This relative superiority in performance shows the advantage conferred to S. filipinensis no. 15 due to its ability to produce both IAA and ACC deaminase. In comparison, an ACC deaminase-producing isolate of S. albovinaceus no. 41 which was neither rhizosphere-competent nor capable of producing IAA, failed to promote plant growth compared to S. filipinensis no. 15 or S. atrovirens no. 26 although the growth promotion obtained by S. albovinaceus no. 41 was significant compared to control. The application of S. globosus no. 8, which was not rhizosphere-competent and did not produce detectable levels of ACC deaminase or IAA did not promote plant growth. These results indicate the importance of rhizosphere competence. In conclusion I report the production of ACC deaminase by streptomycete actinomycetes and its ability to enhance plant growth through reduction in the in planta levels of endogenous ACC and the consequent lowering of endogenous ethylene levels in plant tissues.     

Isolation and characterization of endophytic plant growth-promoting (PGPB) or stress homeostasis-regulating (PSHB) bacteria associated to the halophyte <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prosopis strombulifera</Emphasis>

This study was designed to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria from halophyte Prosopis strombulifera grown under extreme salinity and to evaluate in vitro the bacterial mechanisms related to plant growth promotion or stress homeostasis regulation. Isolates obtained from P. strombulifera were compared genotypically by BOX-polymerase chain reaction, grouped according to similarity, and identified by amplification and partial sequences of 16S DNAr. Isolates were grown until exponential growth phase to evaluate the atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, siderophores, and phytohormones, such as indole-3-acetic acid, zeatin, gibberellic acid and abscisic acid production, as well as antifungal, protease, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. A total of 29 endophytic strains were grouped into seven according to similarity. All bacteria were able to grow and to produce some phytohormone in chemically defined medium with or without addition of a nitrogen source. Only one was able to produce siderophores, and none of them solubilized phosphate. ACC deaminase activity was positive for six strains. Antifungal and protease activity were confirmed for two of them. In this work, we discuss the possible implications of these bacterial mechanisms on the plant growth promotion or homeostasis regulation in natural conditions.     

Phylogenetic analysis of alkaline proteinase producing fluorescent pseudomonads associated with green gram (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vigna radiata</Emphasis> L.) rhizosphere

Fifty fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from rhizospheric soil of green gram from nearby area of Kaziranga, Assam, India and assayed for their extracellular proteinase production. Out of these isolates, 20 were found to be prominent in proteinase production. Genetic diversity of the 20 isolates were analyzed through BOX-PCR fingerprinting and 16S rDNA-RFLP along with three reference strains, viz., Pseudomonas fluorescens (NCIM2099^T), Pseudomonas aureofaciens (NCIM2026^T), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC2582^T). BOX-PCR produced two distinct clusters at 56% similarity coefficient and seven distinct BOX profiles. 16S rDNA-RFLP with three tetra-cutters restriction enzymes (HaeIII, AluI, and MspI) revealed two major clusters A and B; cluster A contained only single isolate FPS9 while the rest of 22 isolates belonged to the cluster B. Based on phenotypic characters and 16S rDNA sequence similarity, all the eight highly proteinase-producing strains were affiliated with P. aeruginosa. The proteinase was extracted from two most prominent strains (KFP1 and KFP2), purified by a three-step process involving (NH₄)₂SO₄ precipitation, gel filtration, and ion exchange chromatography. The enzyme had an optimal pH of 8.0 and exhibit highest activity at 60°C and 37°C by KFP1 and KFP2 respectively. The specific activities were recorded as 75,050 (for KFP1) and 81,320 U/mg (for KFP2). The purified enzyme was migrated as a single band on native and SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 32 kDa. Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ ion inhibited the enzyme activity. Enzyme activity was also inhibited by EDTA established as their metallo-proteinase nature.