植物根际促生菌对3种土传真菌病害病原的抑制作用

【目的】获取促生同时可防治3种土传真菌病害(Fusarium oxysporum、Sclerotinia sclerotiorum和Rhizoctonia solani)的生防菌,并明确其抑菌效果。【方法】利用前期研究获得的17株促生菌,采用平板对峙法测定其对病原真菌的拮抗作用及对菌丝生长的抑制作用。【结果】可有效拮抗立枯丝核菌的生防菌有6株,其中促生菌株FX2和LM4-3的抑制率达73.82%;拮抗尖孢镰刀菌的生防菌有7株,其中FX2的抑制率达到66.81%;拮抗油菜菌核病菌的生防菌有4株,其中菌株LHS11的抑制率高达85.71%。菌株LHS11和JM170通过次生代谢物抑制病原真菌。所有的生防菌对病原菌的菌丝生长均有一定的抑制作用。【结论】筛选得到对3种真菌病害病原具有较好生防作用的菌株LHS11和FX2。     

荧光假单胞菌抗生性代谢产物合成相关基因的研究现状

荧光假单胞菌(Pseudomonas fluorescens)是一种重要的植物根际促生菌,它能够产生藤黄绿脓菌素、2,4-二乙酰基藤黄酚、硝吡咯菌素、吩嗪-1-羧酸等抗生性次级代谢产物,可抑制多种病原物,在农作物土传病害的生物防治研究中具有重要意义.总结了荧光假单胞菌中已确立的抗生性次级代谢产物的合成机制,重点阐述了相关基因的结构、功能,以及利用生物工程技术对荧光假单胞菌进行遗传操作的最新进展,同时对荧光假单胞菌在生物防治中的应用和其作为生防菌剂的前景进行了展望.     

Diversity of rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria isolated from dried fruit of Ficus carica

There is currently an increasing demand for the characterization of endophytic bacteria isolated from different parts of plants (rhizosphere, roots, fruit, leaf) in order to improve the organic agriculture practices. The current research was performed to identify both rhizospheric bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of Ficus carica in three different sites in the north of Tunisia and endophytic bacteria isolated from dried figs. We then characterized them for a diversity of plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities. A collection of 120 isolates from rhizospheric soil and 9 isolates from dried figs was obtained and purified. 16SrDNA gene amplification of rhizospheric bacteria revealed significant diversity and allowed for the assigning of the isolates to 6 phyla: Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Representative strains of the collection (90 strains) were tested for numerous PGP activities and resistance to abiotic stresses. The most common PGP trait for all bacteria from the three regions was siderophore production (62%), followed by cellulase (38%), then protease activity (37%), then by lipases activity (17%) and lastly by solubilization of phosphates (9%). Twenty -three strains that showed most PGP traits were selected, 8 strains presented 12 or more, and 15 strains displayed between 7 and 11 of 17 PGP activities. The majority of the isolates manifested a possible adaptation to abiotic stress and unfavorable environments. PCR-DGGE analysis of soil rhizosphere of the three sites allowed also for the acquisition of a Cluster analysis of rhizospheric bacterial communities. Our current study identified and characterized for the first time in Tunisia rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria from dried fruit of Ficus carica.     

Identification,characterization and optimization of phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria (PSRB) from rice rhizosphere

Two billion people worldwide take rice (Oryza sativa L.) as a staple food. Phosphorus (P) and Nitrogen (N) are the major requirements of rice; although these are available in limited concentrations within rice growing regions. Among different types of Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Phosphate solubilizing rhizobacteria (PSRB) constitute an important class. These are known for plant growth promotion by enhancing P and N uptake. PSRB are nowadays used as biofertilizers to restore the soil health. Under the present investigation identification, characterization and optimization of phosphate solubilizing activity of these microbes at different pH, temperature and salt concentrations was carried out. Thirty-seven isolates were recovered from different regions of rice rhizosphere on Pikovskaya (PVK) agar among which 15 isolates were recovered from R.S. Pura, 12 isolates from Bishnah and 10 isolates were recovered from Akhnoor sector of Jammu, India. A prominent halo zone of clearance was developed around the colonies of 12 different isolates, indicating phosphate solubilization activity. Four distinct isolates were amplified, cloned and sequenced for taxonomic identification using 16S primers. The results indicated that PS 1, PS 2, PS 3, PS 4 were related to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis strain 1, B. subtilis strain 2, B. subtilis strain 3, respectively. These strains when grown at a wide range of ecological factors showed maximum growth at pH between 6.8 and 8.8, temperature between 28 °C and 37 °C and salinity between 1% and 2%. Screening for phosphate solubilization activity revealed that the halo zone diameter formed by these isolates extended from 2.1 to 3.2 mm. The phosphate solubilizing efficiency (SE) ranged from 35.4 to 50.9 with highest value of 50.9 by PS4 and maximum P solubilization of 10.22 µg/ml was recorded by PS4 at 7th day. Phosphate solubilization activity of these identified PSRB strains can be utilized and explored in the rice growing belts of Jammu region which are deficient in phosphorus. MIC value for zinc sulphate heptahydrate in 12 isolates varied from 1 mg/ml to 6 mg/ml. Phosphate solubilization activity and MIC of these identified PSRB strains can be utilized and explored in the rice growing belts of Jammu region which are deficient in phosphorus.     

Biological control of the wheat root rot caused by Fusarium graminearum using some PGPR strains in Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected bacterial strains against the wheat soil‐borne pathogen Fusarium graminearum under greenhouse conditions. The most potent isolates were 3 isolates out of 18 isolates, which have numbers 3, 9 and 10 with in vitro inhibition index 42.5%, 41.3% and 46.3% respectively. Isolates 3 and 10 were selected for the following experiments. Isolates 3 and 10 were identified as Bacillus subtilis MAA03 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MAA10, respectively according to International Identification Keys and, confirmed by using Biolog system and 16S rDNA where the strains exhibited more than 99.5% sequence identity. Their close taxonomic relationship was further documented by phenotypic similarities. The using of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens separately or in mixture as biocontrol agent against F. graminearum on wheat significantly increased the final germination percent, the mean daily germination and germination index of wheat cultivar, while the mean germination time was significantly decreased relative to infested control. The final infection percent, the mean daily infection and infection index were decreased significantly, while the mean infection time was significantly increased relative to infested control. The use of P. fluorescens as biocontrol agent was the most efficient than B. subtilis or in mixture and the best treatment was seed coating. The application of B. subtilis and P. fluorescens separately or in combination significantly affected the growth parameters of wheat cultivar Tabuki, the root length was significantly increased in seed coating and seed soaking treatments, while non‐significantly decreased in case of soil drench treatment relative to infested control. Shoot length was significantly decreased in case of seed coating treatment relative to infested control. The shoot fresh and dry weights were significantly increased in seed coating and seed soaking treatments relative to infested control. The root fresh and dry weights were significantly increased in seed coating and seed soaking treatments relative to infested control. The number of leaves was significantly increased in all treatments relative to infested control.     

Use of plant growth-promoting bacteria to enhance salinity stress in soybean (Glycine max L.) plants

The effects of three rhizobacterial isolates namely Pseudomonas fluorescens (M1), Pseudomonas putida (M2) and Bacillus subtilis (M3) were examined to enhance growth and chemical components such as chlorophyll and proline of three cultivars of soybean (Glycine max L.) under two levels of salinity stress (S1 = 200 mM and S2 = 400 mM of NaCl salt). Several morphological and physiological parameters were investigated. The highest mean values of final germination percent (FGP) were registered in cultivar Crawford (95%) followed by Giza111 cultivar (93%) in the presence of P. fluorescens, while, FGP of Clark was 85%. Mean germination time was decreased by the application of P. fluorescens or P. putida in both salt stressed and unstressed traits. All growth parameters were significantly decreased by salinity treatments, particularly at S2. A significant increase in stem length and shoot fresh weight was recorded in plants treated with P. fluorescens. This enhancing trend was followed by the application of P. putida then B. subtilis. Chlorophyll contents and plant soluble proteins were decreased, while proline content was increased as compared with control treatment. Results showed that the salt tolerant cultivar, Crawford, may have a better tolerance strategy against oxidative damages by increasing antioxidant enzymes activities under high salinity stress. These results suggest that salt induced oxidative stress in soybean is generally counteracted by enzymatic defense systems stimulated under harsh conditions. Our results showed that inoculation with plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) alleviated the harmful effects of salinity stress on soybean cultivars. The diversity in the phylogenetic relationship and in the level of genetic among cultivars was assessed by SDS-PAGE and RAPD markers. Among the polymorphism bands, only few were found to be useful as positive or negative markers associated with salt stress. The maximum number of bands (17) was recorded in Crawford, while the minimum number of bands (11) was recorded in Clark. Therefore, the ISSR can be used to identify alleles associated with the salt stress in soybean germplasm.     

植物根际促生菌的筛选及鉴定

【目的】植物根际促生菌(PGPR)和植物的互作关系往往不稳定,PGPR菌群有可能提高菌株对野外环境的适应性。为此,本文根据PGPR促生机制的多样性,从不同植物根际土壤进行了PGPR的筛选及鉴定。【方法】首先,按照固氮、解磷、解钾、拮抗6种常见病原真菌,同时能在植物根际定殖为基本初筛标准,然后在实验室条件下测定初筛菌株的多项促生能力(PGP),最后通过生理生化试验和16SrRNA基因序列分析对所筛菌株进行鉴定。【结果】从江苏扬州、盐城等地土壤样品筛选出14株PGPR,具有体外抑菌、产NH3、产IAA、产HCN、产嗜铁素、解磷、溶钾、固氮以及产抗生素等促生能力。分类鉴定结果显示:7株属于假单胞菌属(Pseudomonas)、3株属于类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus)、2株为芽孢杆菌属(Bacillus)、1株为布克霍尔德氏菌属(Burkholderia)、1株为欧文氏菌属(Erwinia)。【结论】所筛细菌具有多种促生能力,且能在根际定殖,为进一步构建多功能PGPR广适菌群提供菌株资源。     

影响引人微生物根部定殖的因素

从外界引入的各类有益微生物如生防菌(BCA)和根际促生菌或增产菌(PGPR,YIB)到种子表面随其生根发芽而蔓延或直接到根表沿根分布定殖．外来微生物在根际定殖的过程为与根尖接触,沿根分布,最后在根际建立自己的种群．定殖的位点以PGPR为例,是表皮细胞间隙,或侧根、根毛基部．外来微生物在根际定殖动态变化的原因,由于根际生物的和非生物的因素引起的．生物因子除去外来微生物本身的生理特性,还有根际土著微生物与外来微生物的相互作用,更重要的是植物基因型对微生物定殖的影响．非生物因子包括土壤环境、土壤结构和含水量,土壤温度和土壤pH值均能影响外来微生物在根部的定殖．     

Seed priming with co-flocs of Azospirillum and Pseudomonas for effective management of rice blast

A modified approach was adopted to develop co-flocs consisting of Azospirillum brasilense MTCC-125 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MTCC-4828. The results of our study revealed that both Azospirillum and Pseudomonas strains exhibited a higher survivability when embedded in the flocs. The survivability of the strains in co-floc was found to be higher when compared to the log phase vegetative cells in different inoculant carriers, spermosphere rhizoplane and rhizosphere. The co-floc treatment has also significantly increased the germination percentage and vigour index of rice. In the present study flocculation was found to play a major role in enhancing adhesion of both the strains to rice roots. The co-flocs were studied for their efficiency to induce resistance in rice crop against rice blast. The relative role of Azospirillum and Pseudomonas co-flocs in the induction of resistance against the phytopathogen was evaluated. It was found that when the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase and phenol were high and when the relative amounts of the sugars were low, the disease infestation was less and vice versa. The association of these compounds strongly implies their role as casual agents of induced resistance against Pyricularia oryzae.     

强化龙葵富集镉根际促生菌的分离、筛选与鉴定

【背景】植物-微生物联合修复土壤重金属污染日渐兴起,获取与超富集植物高效互作的微生物是实现联合修复技术进步的关键。龙葵在镉农田污染修复中广泛应用。【目的】筛选可促进龙葵生长及富集镉的耐镉根际促生菌。【方法】从龙葵根际土分离耐镉菌株,筛选具有良好促生特性的菌株,水培试验考察镉胁迫下菌株对植物生长及镉富集能力的影响,确定可促进龙葵生长及富集镉的微生物菌株,通过生理生化特性和16S rRNA基因序列分析进行菌株的初步鉴定。【结果】分离得到NT1、AXY1、AW2和AW1四株强化龙葵富集镉促生菌,经鉴定分别为Lysinibacillus sp.、Beijerinckia fluminensis、Achromobacter animicus和Herbaspirillum huttiense。上述菌株均可有效促进龙葵生长,增加其株高和干物质积累,提高地上部镉富集量。其中,NT1可使株高、地上部干重分别增加31.33%和62.65%,AW2可使地上部镉富集量增加37.29%。【结论】筛选所得菌株可为提高植物修复效率提供实践依据,为研制田间施用生态功能菌剂做铺垫,用于农田镉污染的微生物-龙葵联合原位修复。     

运用生色基因标记黄瓜根围促生菌(PGPR)筛选菌株

采用三亲交配方法 ,通过Tn7转座系统将lacZY标记基因导入黄瓜根围促生菌 (PG PR)筛选菌株PseudomonasfluorescensCN1 1 6和PseudomonascorrugataCN31的利福平抗性突变株中 ;标记假单胞菌菌株则被赋予了利用乳糖作为唯一碳源的能力 ,在只有乳糖的M9培养基上生长能分解X Gal,菌落显出特有的蓝色 ;经Southern杂交分析 ,证明标记基因lacZY存在于转化菌株的染色体上 ;经验证标记菌株标记性状稳定 ,与对应的野生菌株比较其它性状如培养性状、形态特征、生防效果等基本不变 ;PGPR菌株利福平抗性和生色基因标记的结合 (双标记 )能最大限度地将土壤中引入的PGPR菌株与土著细菌分开 ,检测下限可达 1 0CFU mL ,为PGPR在根围的分子生态学研究提供了一个较好的工具。     

Biotransformation of adenine and cytokinins by the rhizobacterium Serratia proteamaculans

Approximately 60,000 microorganisms from Saskatchewan soil were screened for growth on the cytokinin N6-benzyladenine (BA) as C source. A single isolate, identified as Serratia proteamaculans, grew well on BA. The culture filtrates from S. proteamaculans were screened using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for the presence of secondary metabolites. The analysis revealed a major metabolite and its chemical structure was deduced as 8-hydroxy-N6-benzyladenine (8-OHBA). Subsequently, the S. proteamaculans isolate was also found to metabolize N6-(2-isopentenyl)adenine and adenine through oxidation of C-8 of the purine ring. A clone of the S. proteamaculans xanthine dehydrogenase (Xdh, EC 1.1.1.204) encoding genes was isolated in Escherichia coli. This E. coli isolate metabolized BA to 8-OHBA. Similar to other bacterial Xdh, the S. proteamaculans enzyme was composed of two subunits. The derived amino acid sequences of these Xdh subunits were most similar (XdhA, 60%; XdhB, 72%) to those of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

植物根际促生菌作用机制研究进展

植物在生长过程中可能会遭受许多生物和非生物因素胁迫,从而降低生物产量. 人们已知一些植物在不同因素的刺激诱导下,能系统化建立抵抗或忍受不利因素的机制,植物根际促生菌（PGPR）就是其中一类能定殖于根系并促进植物生长的细菌.本文对PGPR促生机制进行归纳和总结,系统阐述了诱导体系抗性和诱导体系产生忍耐力两大促生机制.PGPR的作用机制的多样性暗示着其可能在更多的农业生态系统中得到应用.     

In situ characterization of mercury-resistant growth-promoting fluorescent pseudomonads

Pseudomonas fluorescens strains PRS9 and GRS1 (wild type) were made mercury resistant PRS9Hg(r) (147 microM HgCl2) and GRS1Hg(r) (55 microM HgCl2), respectively, in King's medium by enrichment selection and their in situ root colonization studies were carried out. Mercury resistant mutant of PRS9 was stable and resulted in significant increase in root and shoot fresh weight (P < 0.05). Both the mutants are positive for indoleacetic acid (IAA), 'P' solubilization and siderophore production. PRS9, potent 'P' solubilizer, exhibited higher 'P' solubilization as compared to GRS1. After 2 weeks of inoculation, the population level of wild type PRS9 and its mercury resistant mutants has increased (50 fold). Mercury resistance has no adverse effect on the growth promoting properties of mutants besides being comparable in its morphological and physiological properties with their wild type counterpart. Furthermore, mercury resistant character facilitates rhizospheric competition and thus helpful for establishment of growth promoting strains where metal ions are either limiting and/or present at toxic level.     

Induction of resistance against downy mildew on sunflower by rhizobacteria

Abstract

Induction of resistance to downy mildew caused by Plasmopara halstedii in sunflower was studied after treatment with PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) strain INR7 (Bacillus spp). Treatment of sunflower seeds with 1×10⁸cfu/ml of PGPR strain INR7 resulted in decreased disease severity and offered 51 and 54% protection under green house and field conditions, respectively. The induction of resistance to P. halstedii by PGPR strain INR7 was accompanied by the accumulation of various host defense-related enzymes in susceptible sunflower seedlings. Enhanced activation of catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and chitinase (CHI) was evident at 6, 9, 12, 12 and 12h post inoculation, respectively, in sunflower seedlings raised from seeds treated with PGPR strain INR7. This enhanced and early activation of defense-related responses in the susceptible cultivar after treatment with PGPR strain INR7 was comparable to that in the resistant cultivar. The results indicate that PGPR strain INR7 induced resistance against P. halstedii in sunflower is mediated through enhanced expression of defense mechanism.     

Alleviation of fungicide-induced phytotoxicity in greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] using fungicide-tolerant and plant growth promoting Pseudomonas strain

This study was designed to explore beneficial plant-associated rhizobacteria exhibiting substantial tolerance against fungicide tebuconazole vis-à-vis synthesizing plant growth regulators under fungicide stressed soils and to evaluate further these multifaceted rhizobacteria for protection and growth promotion of greengram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] plants against phytotoxicity of tebuconazole. Tebuconazole-tolerant and plant growth promoting bacterial strain PS1 was isolated from mustard (Brassica compestris) rhizosphere and identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa following 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The P. aeruginosa strain PS1 solubilized phosphate significantly and produced indole acetic acid, siderophores, exo-polysaccharides, hydrogen cyanide and ammonia even under tebuconazole stress. Generally, tebuconazole at the recommended, two and three times the recommended field rate adversely affected the growth, symbiosis, grain yield and nutrient uptake in greengram in a concentration dependent manner. In contrast, the P. aeruginosa strain PS1 along with tebuconazole significantly, increased the growth parameters of the greengram plants. The inoculant strain PS1 increased appreciably root nitrogen, shoot nitrogen, root phosphorus, shoot phosphorus, and seed yield of greengram plants at all tested concentrations of tebuconazole when compared to the uninoculated plants treated with tebuconazole. The results suggested that the P. aeruginosa strain PS1, exhibiting novel plant growth regulating physiological features, can be applied as an eco-friendly and plant growth catalyzing bio-inoculant to ameliorate the performance of greengram in fungicide stressed soils.     

Growth promotion of maize and lettuce by phosphate-solubilizing Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar. phaseoli

Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli strains P31 and R1, Serratia sp. strain 22b, Pseudomonas sp. strain 24 and Rhizopus sp. strain 68 were examined for their plant growth-promoting potential on lettuce and forage maize. All these phosphate solubilizing microorganisms (PSM) were isolated from Québec soils. The plants were grown in field conditions in three sites having high to low amounts of available P. In site 1 (very fertile soil), strains R1 and 22b tended to increase the dry matter yield of lettuce shoots (p≤0.10). Lettuce inoculated with rhizobia R1 had a 6% higher P concentration (p≤0.10) than the uninoculated control. In site 2 (poorly fertile soil), the dry matter of lettuce shoots was significantly increased (p≤0.05) by inoculation with strain P31 and 24 plus 35 kg ha^-1 P-superphosphate, or with strain 68 plus 70 kg ha^-1 P-superphosphate. In site 3 (moderately fertile soil), the dry matter of maize shoots was significantly increased (p≤0.05) by inoculation with strain 24 plus 17.5 kg ha^-1 P-superphosphate, or with strain P31 plus 35 kg ha^-1 P-superphosphate. Inoculation with PSM did not affect lettuce P uptake in the less fertile soil in site 2. In site 3 with the moderately fertile soil, maize plants inoculated with strain R1 had 8% higher P concentration than the uninoculated control (p≤0.01), and 6% with strains P31 and 68 (p≤0.05). The results clearly demonstrate that rhizobia specifically selected for P solubilization function as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria with the nonlegumes lettuce and maize. The P solubilization effect seems to be the most important mechanism of plant growth promotion in moderately fertile and very fertile soils when P uptake was increased with rhizobia and other PSM.     

Growth promotion and yield enhancement of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) by application of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Although plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to influence plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake by an array of mechanisms, the specific traits by which PGPR promote plant growth, yield and nutrient uptake were limited to the expression of one or more of the traits expressed at a given environment of plant–microbe interaction. We selected nine different isolates of PGPR from a pool of 233 rhizobacterial isolates obtained from the peanut rhizosphere on the basis of ACC-deaminase activity. The nine isolates were selected, initially, on the basis of germinating seed bioassay in which the root length of the seedling was enhanced significantly over the untreated control. All the nine isolates were identified as Pseudomonas spp. Four of these isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2, PGPR4 and PGPR7 (all fluorescent pseudomonads), were the best in producing siderophore and indole acetic acid (IAA). In addition to IAA and siderophore-producing attributes, Pseudomonas fluorescens PGPR1 also possessed the characters like tri-calcium phosphate solubilization, ammonification and inhibited Aspergillus niger and A. flavus in vitro. P. fluorescens PGPR2 differed from PGPR1 in the sense that it did not show ammonification. In addition to the traits exhibited by PGPR1, PGPR4 showed strong in vitro inhibition to Sclerotium rolfsii. The performances of these selected plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial isolates were repeatedly evaluated for 3 years in pot and field trials. Seed inoculation of these three isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2 and PGPR4, resulted in a significantly higher pod yield than the control, in pots, during rainy and post-rainy seasons. The contents of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil, shoot and kernel were also enhanced significantly in treatments inoculated with these rhizobacterial isolates in pots during both the seasons. In the field trials, however, there was wide variation in the performance of the PGPR isolates in enhancing the growth and yield of peanut in different years. Plant growth-promoting fluorescent pseudomonad isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2 and PGPR4, significantly enhanced pod yield (23–26%, 24–28% and 18–24%, respectively), haulm yield and nodule dry weight over the control in 3 years. Other attributes like root length, pod number, 100-kernel mass, shelling out-turn and nodule number were also enhanced. Seed bacterization with plant growth-promoting P. fluorescens isolates, viz. PGPR1, PGPR2 and PGPR4, suppressed the soil-borne fungal diseases like collar rot of peanut caused by A. niger and PGPR4 also suppressed stem rot caused by S. rolfsii. Studies on the growth patterns of PGPR isolates utilizing the seed leachate as the sole source of C and N indicated that PGPR4 isolate was the best in utilizing the seed leachate of peanut, cultivar JL24. Studies on the rhizosphere competence of the PGPR isolates, evaluated on the basis of spontaneous rifampicin resistance, indicated that PGPR7 was the best rhizoplane colonizer and PGPR1 was the best rhizosphere colonizer. Although the presence of growth-promoting traits in vitro does not guarantee that an isolate will be plant growth promoting in nature, results suggested that besides ACC-deaminase activity of the PGPR isolates, expression of one or more of the traits like suppression of phytopathogens, solubilization of tri-calcium phosphate, production of siderophore and/or nodulation promotion might have contributed to the enhancement of growth, yield and nutrient uptake of peanut.