Plant Growth‐Promoting Bacteria from Solarized Soil with the Ability to Protect Melon Against Root Rot and Vine Decline Caused by Monosporascus cannonballus

This study was undertaken to isolate indigenous plant growth‐promoting (PGP) bacteria from solarized soil effective in the biocontrol of Monosporascus cannonballus, the cause of root rot and vine decline of melon, which is one of the most destructive soilborne diseases of this crop worldwide. The screening strategy resulted in the selection of two interesting PGP bacteria as biocontrol candidates against M. cannonballus belonging to the same microbial community. The two bacterial species, identified according to phenotypic, physiological tests and analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence as Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens (BsCR) and Pseudomonas putida (PpF4), showed PGP traits and in vitro antagonistic activity towards M. cannonballus. Antagonism by BsCR was characterized by a consistent inhibition of the pathogen in vitro growth; PpF4 strongly inhibited the development of perithecia of the pathogen. Under greenhouse conditions, the selected bacteria were tested for their biocontrol activity in the pathosystem melon‐M. cannonballus. BsCR alone and in combination with PpF4 determined a consistent decrease in the disease symptoms. BsCR and the combination of the bacterial strains significantly increased root biomass in both inoculated and un‐inoculated plant. Upon seed treatment with BsCR, the accumulation and isoenzyme induction of peroxidase in roots as biochemical marker for induction of resistance were found, thus indicating that BsCR may reduce the disease severity also by the activation of the plant defence responses. The study highlights the synergistic biocontrol potential of B. subtilis BsCR and P. putida PpF4 in the integrated management of root rot and vine decline of melon caused by M. cannonballus.     

Native bacterial endophytes promote host growth in a species-specific manner; phytohormone manipulations do not result in common growth responses

Background

All plants in nature harbor a diverse community of endophytic bacteria which can positively affect host plant growth. Changes in plant growth frequently reflect alterations in phytohormone homoeostasis by plant-growth-promoting (PGP) rhizobacteria which can decrease ethylene (ET) levels enzymatically by 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase or produce indole acetic acid (IAA). Whether these common PGP mechanisms work similarly for different plant species has not been rigorously tested.

Methodology/ Principal Findings

We isolated bacterial endophytes from field-grown Solanum nigrum; characterized PGP traits (ACC deaminase activity, IAA production, phosphate solubilization and seedling colonization); and determined their effects on their host, S. nigrum, as well as on another Solanaceous native plant, Nicotiana attenuata. In S. nigrum, a majority of isolates that promoted root growth were associated with ACC deaminase activity and IAA production. However, in N. attenuata, IAA but not ACC deaminase activity was associated with root growth. Inoculating N. attenuata and S. nigrum with known PGP bacteria from a culture collection (DSMZ) reinforced the conclusion that the PGP effects are not highly conserved.

Conclusions/ Significance

We conclude that natural endophytic bacteria with PGP traits do not have general and predictable effects on the growth and fitness of all host plants, although the underlying mechanisms are conserved.     

Rock phosphate-solubilizing Actinomycetes: screening for plant growth-promoting activities

In order to select Actinobacteria that could improve plant growth and thus agricultural yield, we assessed different plant growth promoting (PGP) abilities of eight rock phosphate (RP)-solubilizing Actinomycete isolates originating from Moroccan phosphate mines. Six of these strains were able to grow on root exudates of the wheat plant as sole nutrient sources and were efficiently releasing soluble phosphate from RP. These strains also inhibited the growth of potentially phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria (Gram +/−) or yeasts. Five of these strains produced indoleacetic acid and four showed endophytic properties. When these strains were grown, in the presence of the wheat plant, in a synthetic minimum medium (SMM) containing insoluble RP as unique phosphate source or in soil experiment, the most active RP-solubilizing strains had the highest stimulatory effect on the production of plant biomass. The most efficient strain Streptomyces griseus-related strain (BH₇), stimulated aerial growth of the plant more than 70% in test tubes and more than 30% in RP soil compared to the non-inoculated control treatment. This study demonstrated that our selected Actinomycete strains could be used for the development of novel, non-polluting; farming practices by entering in the formulation of novel biofertilizer and biocontrol products constituted by spores and/or mycelium of the ad hoc Actinobacteria in association with pulverized RP.     

Beneficial Bacteria Isolated from Grapevine Inner Tissues Shape Arabidopsis thaliana Roots

We investigated the potential plant growth-promoting traits of 377 culturable endophytic bacteria, isolated from Vitis vinifera cv. Glera, as good biofertilizer candidates in vineyard management. Endophyte ability in promoting plant growth was assessed in vitro by testing ammonia production, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and IAA-like molecule biosynthesis, siderophore and lytic enzyme secretion. Many of the isolates were able to mobilize phosphate (33%), release ammonium (39%), secrete siderophores (38%) and a limited part of them synthetized IAA and IAA-like molecules (5%). Effects of each of the 377 grapevine beneficial bacteria on Arabidopsis thaliana root development were also analyzed to discern plant growth-promoting abilities (PGP) of the different strains, that often exhibit more than one PGP trait. A supervised model-based clustering analysis highlighted six different classes of PGP effects on root architecture. A. thaliana DR5::GUS plantlets, inoculated with IAA-producing endophytes, resulted in altered root growth and enhanced auxin response. Overall, the results indicate that the Glera PGP endospheric culturable microbiome could contribute, by structural root changes, to obtain water and nutrients increasing plant adaptation and survival. From the complete cultivable collection, twelve promising endophytes mainly belonging to the Bacillus but also to Micrococcus and Pantoea genera, were selected for further investigations in the grapevine host plants towards future application in sustainable management of vineyards.     

Genotypic differences in the uptake and distribution of radiocaesium in plants

The ability of endophytic bacteria to influence Erwinia carotovora var. atroseptica (Eca) growth and disease development was examined in potatoes. Bacterial populations isolated from within the tubers of five potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) cultivars (Kennebec, Butte, Green Mountain, Russet Burbank and Sebago) showed antibiosis toward Eca in an in vitro assay. Sebago was host to the highest percentage of bacterial isolates inhibiting Eca growth in vitro (49.5%), followed by Green Mountain (33.3%), Kennebec (29.3%), Russet Burbank (12.9%) and Butte (1.8%). Of these, Curtobacterium luteum was the most common species. Few endophytic bacteria from Butte were inhibitory to Erwinia; all were from Pantoea agglomerans. Significantly higher populations of Erwinia-inhibiting bacteria were recovered from Kennebec (1.89 × 10⁶ cfu fresh weight tuber tissue) as compared to the other cultivars; the lowest populations were recovered from Butte (0.01 × 10⁶ cfu per g fresh weight tuber tissue). Published levels of cultivar disease resistance to blackleg did not correspond to actual bacterial soft rot development (induced by Eca) in an in vivo (tuber) assay. However, bacterial soft rot development was negatively correlated with the density of tuber populations of endophytic bacteria found able to inhibit Eca growth in vitro (R=−0.879, p=0.05).     

广西葛根内生细菌的分离鉴定及其促生特性

【背景】植物内生菌长期与宿主共生,对宿主生长发育产生影响。葛根作为重要的药食两用作物,葛根内生菌的研究具有重要实践意义。【目的】对广西葛根根部内生细菌进行分离、鉴定及促植物生长特性分析,旨在了解该药食同源植物内生细菌种群结构及其促生特性,为分析内生菌群体在药食同源植物产量和品质形成的作用及其内生细菌资源的开发利用提供参考。【方法】采用6种不同的培养基从广西葛根的根瘤、根系和根愈伤组织分离内生细菌,16S rRNA基因测序和系统发育分析内生细菌的分布特征和遗传多样性,采用生理生化方法测定分离菌株的固氮活性、溶磷特性、产生嗜铁素、分泌吲哚乙酸(indole-3-aceticacid,IAA)等促生特性。【结果】从葛根根瘤、根系和根部愈伤组织中共分离得到223个菌株,16S rRNA基因测序鉴定这些菌株隶属于2门4纲10科19属,其中芽孢杆菌属、假单胞菌属、土壤杆菌属、肠杆菌属为葛根优势菌群;内生细菌数量和群落组成存在明显的组织特异性,其数量表现为根瘤>根系>根愈伤组织,但其种群多样性表现为根愈伤组织>根系>根瘤。不同培养基分离出的细菌种群丰富度有差异。从供试菌株中筛...     

芽胞杆菌浸种对水稻内生细菌群落结构的影响

水稻内生细菌群落是反映植株内环境是否健康稳定的重要生物学指标,芽胞杆菌是防治水稻病害的重要生防微生物。为揭示芽胞杆菌浸种处理对水稻内生细菌群落结构的影响,采用Illumina MiSeq测序的方法对水稻内生细菌的16S rRNA基因进行测序,剖析了芽胞杆菌浸种处理对不同水稻组织内生细菌的微生态调控作用。结果表明,3种芽胞杆菌浸种处理可以提高水稻根和茎部内生细菌群落的丰富度和均匀度,降低叶部内生细菌群落的丰富度和均匀度,显著增加根部内生细菌群落多样性。变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、厚壁菌门(Firmicutes)和拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)是水稻根部和茎部共有优势菌门,厚壁菌门和芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus)是叶部共有优势菌门和属。芽胞杆菌浸种处理显著提高了叶部内生厚壁菌门和芽胞杆菌属的相对丰度,增加了根系和茎部组织内生细菌的分类单元OTU(Operational Taxonomic Units)数量,对叶部组织影响不明显;降低了茎部和叶部中参与各种代谢通路的内生细菌丰度,显著增加了根部参与代谢通路的内生细菌丰度。因此,3种芽胞杆菌浸种处理可以显著改变水稻根部、茎部和叶部内生细菌群落结构,改善水稻生长的微生态环境。     

Potential for plant growth promotion by a consortium of stress‐tolerant 2,4‐dinitrotoluene‐degrading bacteria: isolation and characterization of a military soil

The presence of explosives in soils and the interaction with drought stress and nutrient limitation are among the environmental factors that severely affect plant growth on military soils. In this study, we seek to isolate and identify the cultivable bacteria of a 2,4‐dinitrotoluene (DNT) contaminated soil (DS) and an adjacent grassland soil (GS) of a military training area aiming to isolate new plant growth‐promoting (PGP) and 2,4‐DNT‐degrading strains. Metabolic profiling revealed disturbances in Ecocarbon use in the bare DS; isolation of cultivable strains revealed a lower colony‐forming‐unit count and a less diverse community associated with DS in comparison with GS. New 2,4‐DNT‐tolerant strains were identified by selective enrichments, which were further characterized by auxanography for 2,4‐DNT use, resistance to drought stress, cold, nutrient starvation and PGP features. By selecting multiple beneficial PGP and abiotic stress‐resistant strains, efficient 2,4‐DNT‐degrading consortia were composed. After inoculation, consortium UHasselt Sofie 3 with seven members belonging to Burkholderia, Variovorax, Bacillus, Pseudomonas and Ralstonia species was capable to successfully enhance root length of Arabidopsis under 2,4‐DNT stress. After 9 days, doubling of main root length was observed. Our results indicate that beneficial bacteria inhabiting a disturbed environment have the potential to improve plant growth and alleviate 2,4‐DNT stress.     

东乡野生稻内生细菌Fse32拮抗作物病害真菌及对水稻的促生活性

【背景】植物种子是植物内生菌筛选的重要原料,从中能够分离得到具有巨大应用价值的内生菌株。【目的】为发掘优良的种子内生细菌资源,对分离自东乡野生稻种子的内生细菌Fse32进行鉴定并研究其抗病原真菌和促生活性。【方法】通过形态学观察、生理生化特征和16SrRNA基因序列分析进行菌种鉴定,采用拮抗试验检测抑制病原真菌的活性,通过促生能力测定试验、水稻种子萌发及盆栽试验评价该菌株的促生效果。【结果】内生细菌Fse32鉴定为唐菖蒲伯克霍尔德氏菌,命名为Burkholderia gladioli Fse32。拮抗试验结果显示,菌株Fse32对禾谷镰孢菌(Fusarium graminearum)、水稻纹枯病菌(Rhizoctoniasolani)、核盘菌(Sclerotiniasclerotiorum)、大豆核盘菌(Sclerotinialibertiana)、尖孢镰刀菌(Fusariumoxysporum)和辣椒疫霉病菌(Phytophthoracapsici)均有较好的抑制作用,吲哚乙酸(indole-3-aceticacid,IAA)产率为17.95mg/L,能产铁载体,其A/Ar比值为0....     

内生真菌与苍术粉对连作花生根际微生物区系和微量元素的影响

通过盆栽试验,研究了内生真菌拟茎点霉B3(Phomopsis liquidambari)及苍术(Atractylodes lancea)粉联合施用对连作花生根际土壤微生物区系、酶活性及有效态微量元素(Mo、B、DTPA-Fe、Zn、Cu、Mn)含量的影响。结果表明:内生真菌B3和苍术粉复合处理比内生真菌B3处理的荚果和秸秆产量分别增加10.28%和14.11%,内生真菌B3处理与正常施肥相比显著提高了根瘤数量、荚果和秸秆产重,各处理组与正常施肥对照相比分枝数和根长无显著差异。B3处理与对照相比显著提高了种子期、结荚期和成熟期根际土壤可培养细菌和放线菌数量,B3和苍术粉复合处理与对照相比显著提高种子期、花期和成熟期可培养真菌和放线菌数量;细菌DGGE指纹图谱聚类分析表明,B3和苍术粉复合处理相对于正常施肥处理,显著改变种子期、苗期、花期和成熟期花生根际土壤细菌群落结构,同时苗期、花期和结荚期的细菌条带数和香农指数也有所提高,真菌DGGE指纹图谱聚类分析表明,B3和苍术粉复合处理对真菌群落影响较大,除种子期以外的生育期真菌条带数和香农指数都有明显提高,花期真菌群落结构变化最大,相似度仅为49.6%。花生关键生育期(花期和结荚期)根际土壤脲酶和蔗糖酶活性B3处理和复合处理都显著高于正常施肥对照,促进了连作花生生态系统的物质循环和能量流动。B3和苍术粉复合处理促进了花生生长发育必需微量元素Mo、B、Fe、Zn、Mn的活化,花生叶片和籽粒中微量元素Mo、B、Fe的积累显著增加。研究结果表明,内生真菌和苍术粉联合施用能有效改善连作花生根际微生物区系,提高土壤酶活性,促进微量元素的活化和吸收,对缓解花生连作障碍具有重要意义。     

Colonization behavior of bacterium Burkholderia cepacia inside the Oryza sativa roots visualized using green fluorescent protein reporter

Colonization behavior of endophytic bacteria Burkholderia cepacia strains RRE-3 and RRE-5 was studied in the seedlings of rice variety NDR97 using confocal laser scanning microscopy under controlled laboratory and greenhouse conditions. For studying colonization pattern, bacterial strains were tagged with pHRGFPGUS plasmid. The role of bacterial strains (both gfp/gus-tagged and untagged) in growth promotion was also studied. After coming into contact with the host root system the bacteria showed an irregular spreading. Dense colonization was observed on the primary and secondary roots and also on the junction of emergence of the lateral roots. Results showed that the colonization pattern of Burkholderia cepacia strains was similar to that of other endophytic bacteria isolated from non-legumes. Burkholderia cepacia got entry inside the root at the sites of emergence of lateral roots, without formation of infection threads as in the case of symbiotic rhizobacteria. Observations suggested that the endophytic bacterial strains RRE-3 and RRE-5 entered inside the rice roots in a progressive manner. Bacteria were found to line up along the intercellular spaces of adjoining epidermal cells adjacent to the lateral root junction, indicating endophytic colonization pattern of Burkholderia cepacia strains. Experiments with the rice seedlings inoculated with RRE-3 and RRE-5 strains revealed that both strains enhanced plant growth considerably when observed under laboratory and greenhouse conditions and produced significantly higher plant biomass. No considerable difference was observed between the gfp/gus-tagged and non-gfp/gus-tagged strains in the plant growth experiments both in the laboratory and greenhouse conditions.     

Enhanced remediation of chlorpyrifos by ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and a chlorpyrifos degrading bacterial endophyte Mezorhizobium sp. HN3

For effective remediation of contaminants, plant-endophyte partnership is a promising field to be explored. Generally endophytic bacteria assist their host plant by withstanding the stress induced by the contaminants. The objective of this study was to explore the suitability of plant-bacterial partnership for chlorpyrifos (CP) remediation using ryegrass and a CP degrading endophyte, Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 which belongs to plant growth promoting rhizobia. The inoculated yfp-tagged Mesorhizobium sp. HN3 efficiently colonized in the rhizosphere, enhanced plant growth and degradation of CP and its metabolite 3,5,6 trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP). Significantly lower CP residues were observed in the roots and shoots of plants vegetated in inoculated soil which might be attributed to the efficient root colonization of HN3yfp. These results suggest the involvement of Mesorhizobium sp. HN3yfp in CP degradation inside the roots and rhizosphere of plants and further emphasize on the effectiveness of endophytic bacteria in stimulating the remediation of pesticide contaminants. This is the first report which demonstrates the efficacy of bacterial endophyte for degradation of CP residues taken up by the plant and enhanced remediation of chlorpyrifos contaminated soil.     

内生真菌和内生细菌接种对雷公藤生长和次生代谢产物积累的影响

为探究内生真菌与内生细菌对雷公藤(Tripterygium wilfordii)的生长和次生代谢产物积累的相互作用,用内生真菌NS33、NS6和内生细菌LG3、LY1单独或跨界联合接种雷公藤,对雷公藤的生长和雷公藤甲素、雷公藤红素合成进行了研究。结果表明,单独或混合培养的菌株具有分泌铁载体、吲哚乙酸(IAA)和溶磷能力,对种子萌发、芽伸长和根系活力有显著促进作用。接种菌株NS33、NS6、NS6-LG3和NS6-LY1均显著促进了雷公藤组培苗的生长。单独或联合接种菌株均能显著提高雷公藤组培苗雷公藤甲素和雷公藤红素的积累,其中NS33-LG3和LG3的作用最显著。菌株NS33与LG3能够协同促进IAA的分泌、小麦幼苗根系活力和雷公藤红素的积累;菌株NS6与LY1协同提高了雷公藤组培苗的高度、质量和雷公藤红素的积累。因此,内生真菌与内生细菌联合接种对雷公藤生长和次生代谢产物积累具有一定的协同效应,显示出实际应用潜力。     

砂生槐根瘤内生菌对青稞种子萌发及幼苗的促生作用

该文以接种不同砂生槐根瘤内生菌的黑青稞种子和不接种菌株的黑青稞种子为研究材料,采用培养皿作为基质,观察黑青稞种子萌发及幼苗生长情况,测定接种不同根瘤内生菌后的黑青稞发芽率、发芽势、发芽指数、株高、根长、须根数、根冠比、植株全株干/鲜重的生理性状,并对各不同处理进行隶属函数综合评价.结果表明:菌株R7和R17的发芽率均达...     

A Drought Resistance-Promoting Microbiome Is Selected by Root System under Desert Farming

Background

Traditional agro-systems in arid areas are a bulwark for preserving soil stability and fertility, in the sight of “reverse desertification”. Nevertheless, the impact of desert farming practices on the diversity and abundance of the plant associated microbiome is poorly characterized, including its functional role in supporting plant development under drought stress.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We assessed the structure of the microbiome associated to the drought-sensitive pepper plant (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivated in a traditional Egyptian farm, focusing on microbe contribution to a crucial ecosystem service, i.e. plant growth under water deficit. The root system was dissected by sampling root/soil with a different degree of association to the plant: the endosphere, the rhizosphere and the root surrounding soil that were compared to the uncultivated soil. Bacterial community structure and diversity, determined by using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, differed according to the microhabitat, indicating a selective pressure determined by the plant activity. Similarly, culturable bacteria genera showed different distribution in the three root system fractions. Bacillus spp. (68% of the isolates) were mainly recovered from the endosphere, while rhizosphere and the root surrounding soil fractions were dominated by Klebsiella spp. (61% and 44% respectively). Most of the isolates (95%) presented in vitro multiple plant growth promoting (PGP) activities and stress resistance capabilities, but their distribution was different among the root system fractions analyzed, with enhanced abilities for Bacillus and the rhizobacteria strains. We show that the C. annuum rhizosphere under desert farming enriched populations of PGP bacteria capable of enhancing plant photosynthetic activity and biomass synthesis (up to 40%) under drought stress.

Conclusions/Significance

Crop cultivation provides critical ecosystem services in arid lands with the plant root system acting as a “resource island” able to attract and select microbial communities endowed with multiple PGP traits that sustain plant development under water limiting conditions.     

Effect of host genotype on indigenous bacterial endophytes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The purpose of this study was to determine if populations of indigenous bacterial endophytes in seed, stem and root tissue of cotton seedlings are influenced by host genotype. Growth chamber and field experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that host genotype has an effect on endophytic bacterial populations in seed tissues and the developing cotton seedling. Initially, population densities of bacteria within seed of nine cotton cultivars were very low (i.e., 10 2.0 colony forming units seed^–1). However, after 4 days growth on water agar, population densities within developing radicles increased significantly (log₁₀ 2–5 colony forming units) and significant cultivar differences were found. Significant cultivar differences occurred for populations of endophytic bacteria and the composition of bacterial functional groups differed among cultivars in field-grown seedlings at 5, 8, and 15 days after planting. Differences in the ranking of cultivars occurred for endophytic populations recovered from seed and aseptically and field-grown radicle and seedling tissues. These results suggest that whether originating from seed or from soil, cotton plants are capable of immediately establishing a carrying capacity for communities of endophytic bacteria following seed germination. During germination and development of the seedling, there are genetic and possible morphological/physiological effects that contribute to significant differences in colonization of bacterial endophytes among cotton cultivars.     

抗感青枯病番茄的内生细菌数量动态分析及其对青枯病的生物防治

对番茄内生细菌数量动态及其对青枯病的生物防治研究结果表明:番茄内生细菌可来源于种子内部。番茄不同生育期,内生细菌数量最多在成株期,其中抗病品种根、茎分别为24.3×104CFU/g鲜重和22.9×104CFU/g鲜重,感病品种根、茎分别为9.8×104CFU/g鲜重和13.4×104CFU/g鲜重。抗病品种中具有拮抗青枯菌的内生细菌菌株为17个,感病品种中7个。部分内生细菌具促进番茄种子萌发和防治番茄青枯病的作用,其中5R和3R内生菌株的防病效果分别达91.7%和81.3%。     

喀斯特石漠化治理区钙果种植年限对根内细菌群落的影响

存在于健康植物根中的内生细菌不但能够与宿主植物建立共生关系,而且还具有促进植物生长、提升植物对营养元素摄取能力等功能,从而对维持陆地生态平衡、提升喀斯特石漠化综合治理成效具有重要的意义。【目的】探究宿主植物根中的内生细菌群落结构,为深入认识宿主植物-内生细菌的互作机制提供理论依据。【方法】以被引种到喀斯特断陷盆地石漠化综合治理区不同种植年限钙果根中的内生细菌和根际土为研究对象,分析根内生细菌群落特征和根际土理化性质。【结果】钙果种植年限对研究区土壤质量整体有着直接、显著的影响,并间接影响根内生细菌群落。根内生细菌群落以共生互作为主,通过共网络结构识别出种植第一年和第三年的前三位优势属为链霉菌属(Streptomyces)、卡氏伯克霍尔德菌属(Burkholderia-Caballeronia- Paraburkholderia)和噬几丁质菌属(Chitinophaga),种植第五年的前三位优势属为Streptomyces、Chitinophaga和海无柄孢囊黏细菌属(Haliangium)。根内生细菌群落的形成主要由随机性过程中的生态漂变所主导。【结论】不同生长阶段钙果根内生细菌群落结构的差异是由于随机性过程赋予了微生物物种多样化。内生细菌群落的共生互作关系以及优势菌具有生防功能,可增强钙果定殖能力和生长,进而提升钙果在喀斯特断陷盆地石漠化综合治理区的生态效益和经济效益。     

Characterization of cadmium-resistant bacteria for its potential in promoting plant growth and cadmium accumulation in Sesbania bispinosa root

The cadmium (Cd) resistant bacteria were isolated from soils of Damanganga river, Vapi, and identified 11 potential Cd resistant bacteria based on 16S rDNA sequences. The Cd resistant bacteria belonged to four different genera: Providencia spp., Morganella sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., and Bacillus spp. The assessment of plant growth-promoting (PGP) parameters revealed that the Cd tolerant bacteria showed one or more PGP properties. Further, a pot experiment was conducted to elucidate the effects of Cd resistant bacteria on the plant growth and the uptake of Cd by Sesbania bispinosa. The bacterized seedlings recorded 36.0–74.8% and 21.2–32.9% higher root and shoot lengths, respectively, in Cd amended soil compared with control. The Cd mobilization in the root of S. bispinosa by microbial inoculants ranged from 0.02 ± 0.01 to 1.11 ± 0.06 ppm. The enhanced concentrations of Cd accumulation in S. bispinosa roots correspond to the effect of the bacterial strains on metal mobilization in soil. The present observations showed that the Cd resistant strains protect the plants against the inhibitory effects of Cd, probably due to the production of PGP properties. The present results provided a new insight into the phytoremediation of Cd contaminated soil.     

Alleviating salt stress in tomato seedlings using Arthrobacter and Bacillus megaterium isolated from the rhizosphere of wild plants grown on saline–alkaline lands

Salt-induced soil degradation is common in farmlands and limits the growth and development of numerous crop plants in the world. In this study, we isolated salt-tolerant bacteria from the rhizosphere of Tamarix chinensis, Suaeda salsa and Zoysia sinica, which are common wild plants grown on a saline–alkaline land, to test these bacteria's efficiency in alleviating salt stress in tomato plants. We screened out seven strains (TF1–7) that are efficient in reducing salt stress in tomato seedlings. The sequence data of 16S rRNA genes showed that these strains belong to Arthrobacter and Bacillus megaterium. All strains could hydrolyze casein and solubilize phosphate, and showed at least one plant growth promotion (PGP)-related gene, indicating their potential in promoting plant growth. The Arthrobacter strains TF1 and TF7 and the Bacillus megaterium strain TF2 and TF3 could produce indole acetic acid under salt stress, further demonstrating their PGP potential. Tomato seed germination, seedling length, vigor index, and plant fresh and dry weight were enhanced by inoculation of Arthrobacter and B. megaterium strains under salt stress. Our results demonstrated that salt-tolerant bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of wild plants grown on saline–alkaline lands could be used for alleviating salt stress in crop plants.