Genetic Diversity of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolated from Rhizospheric Soil of Wheat Under Saline Condition

In this study, a total of 130 rhizobacteria was isolated from a saline infested zone of wheat rhizosphere, and screened for plant growth promoting (PGP) traits at higher salt (NaCl) concentrations (2, 4, 6, and 8%). The results revealed that 24 rhizobacterial isolates were tolerant at 8% NaCl. Although all the 24 salt tolerable isolates produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), while 10 isolates solubilized phosphorus, eight produced siderophore, and six produced gibberellin. However, only three isolates showed the production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. Diversity was analyzed through 16S rDNA-RFLP, and of these isolates with three tetra cutter restriction enzymes (HaeIII, AluI, and MspI), the representative cluster groups were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing. Bacillus and Bacillus-derived genera were dominant which showed PGP attributes at 8% NaCl concentration. Out of 24 isolates, nitrogen fixing ability (nif H gene) was detected in the two isolates, SU18 (Arthrobacter sp.) and SU48.     

A Multiphasic Approach for the Identification of Endophytic Bacterial in Strawberry Fruit and their Potential for Plant Growth Promotion

This study used a multiphasic approach, characterized by the simultaneous use of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods, to investigate endophytic bacterial communities in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) fruit. A total of 92 bacterial endophytes were isolated and initially grouped by their repetitive extragenic palindromic (rep)-PCR banding pattern and biochemical features. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of 45 representatives showed that the isolates belonged to the species Bacillus subtilis (eight isolates), Bacillus sp. (seven isolates), Enterobacter sp. (seven isolates), Enterobacter ludwigii (six isolates), Lactobacillus plantarum (six isolates), Pseudomonas sp. (five isolates), Pantoea punctata (three isolates), and Curtobacterium citreum (three isolates). Nucleic acids were extracted from the strawberry fruit and subjected to 16S rRNA gene directed polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (16S rRNA PCR-DGGE). The species B. subtilis, Enterobacter sp., and Pseudomonas sp. were detected both by isolation and DGGE. The DGGE fingerprints of total bacterial DNA did not exhibit bands corresponding to several of the representative species isolated in the extinction dilution (L. plantarum, C. citreum, and P. punctata). In contrast, bands in the DGGE profile that were identified as relatives of Arthrobacter sp. and one uncultivable Erythrobacter sp. were not recovered by cultivation techniques. After isolation, the nitrogen fixation ability and the in vitro production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) equivalents and siderophores were evaluated. A high percentage of isolates were found to possess the ability to produce siderophores and IAA equivalents; however, only a few isolates belonging to the genera Pseudomonas and Enterobacter showed the ability to fix nitrogen. Plant growth promotion was evaluated under greenhouse conditions and revealed the ability of the Bacillus strains to enhance the number of leaves, shoot length, root dry weight, and shoot dry weight. The activity of the bacterial isolate identified as B. subtilis NA-108 exerted the greatest influence on strawberry growth and showed a 42.8% increase in number of leaves, 15.26% for high shoot, 43.5% increase in root dry weight, and a 77% increase in shoot dry weight when compared with untreated controls.     

Biocontrol and PGPR Features in Native Strains Isolated from Saline Soils of Argentina

A bacterial collection of approximately one thousand native strains, isolated from saline soils of Cordoba province (Argentina), was established. From this collection, a screening to identify those strains showing plant growth promotion and biocontrol activities, as well as salt tolerance, was performed. Eight native strains tolerant to 1 M NaCl and displaying plant growth promotion and/or biocontrol features were selected for further characterization. Strains MEP₂ 18, MRP₂ 26, MEP₂ 11a, MEP₃ 1, and MEP₃ 3b significantly increased the growth of maize seedlings under normal and saline conditions, whereas isolates ARP₂ 3, AEP₁ 5, and ARP₂ 6 were able to increase the root dry weight of agropyre under saline conditions. On the other hand, strains MEP₂ 18 and ARP₂ 3 showed antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi belonging to Sclerotinia and Fusarium genus. Antifungal activity was found in cell-free supernatants, and it was heat and protease resistant. Strains MEP₂18 and ARP₂3 were identified as Bacillus sp. and strains MEP₂11a and MEP₃3b as Ochrobactrum sp. according to the sequence analysis of 16S rRNA gene.     

Cultivation-dependent characterization of rhizobacterial communities from field grown Chinese cabbage Brassica campestris ssp pekinensis and screening of traits for potential plant growth promotion

The composition of the bacterial community associated with plant roots is influenced by a variety of plant, environmental factors and also management practices. Our study aimed at detecting the root associated bacterial communities of Chinese cabbage under different fertilization regimes using cultivation dependent methods. The cultivable population was studied using plate count assay, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis and carbon substrate utilization␣(SU)using BIOLOG™ plates. Taxonomical identification of the isolates by FAME resulted in about 83% identification and they represented 9 and 14 different known bacterial genera from the rhizosphere and root interior respectively from Proteobacteria (α, β, and γ), firmicutes (actinobacteria and the Bacillus groups) and Bacteroidetes. Pseudomonas and Bacillus were associated with the plants grown under all the fertilized conditions and actinobacteria could be observed only in rhizosphere of plants grown on unfertilized plots. FAME and BIOLOG profiles of the rhizosphere and endophytic isolates could separate them with reference to fertilization. Principal component analysis (PCA) on the BIOLOG SU revealed that the isolates were metabolically dissimilar. The diversity, as revealed by the diversity indices was greater among the isolates obtained from unfertilized samples than that of fertilized ones. The isolates analyzed for different traits related to plant growth promotion revealed differences between rhizosphere and endophytic isolates and also with reference to the treatments. The highest percentage of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) utilizers was recorded in chemical fertilizer treated samples, followed by the organic fertilizer treated. The results from this study indicate that fertilizers have an effect on the root associated bacterial communities of Chinese cabbage and also on their physiological characteristics related to plant growth promotion.     

Screening and characterization of antifungal clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) rhizobacteria

About 377 guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) rhizobacteria were isolated from cultivated soils of north-west India (Thar Desert) and their antifungal activity against Macrophomina phaseolina (strains of groundnut, mungbean and guar) and Fusarium oxysporum (strains of chickpea and cumin) was examined. Isolates were characterised for generic types and physiological/functional diversity. About 19% isolates representing 24% locations were inhibitory to fungal growth. Isolates 009071, 009073, 009078 and 102354 recorded maximum inhibition of pathogenic fungi on plates. Isolate 034206 gave highest %RI, 009073 showed maximum protease activity and 102354 gave highest salt tolerance. Net house and field screening results revealed that isolates 004052, 009071, 009073, 001001, 094340 and 102354 had potential for biocontrol of disease. Partial sequencing of 16S rRNA gene of 61 isolates showed that 85% of isolates belonged to genus Bacillus. Phylogenetically, however, there were four clusters in the Bacillus group comprising of Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. pumilus and B. sphaericus. One isolate was identified as B. flexus, while six isolates were Bacillus spp. Four isolates were identified as Achromobacter xylosoxidans, two as Bacterium (unclassified bacteria), and one each as Ochrobactrum intermedium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Ralstonia sp.     

Phytobeneficial and salt stress mitigating efficacy of IAA producing salt tolerant strains in Gossypium hirsutum

Salinity is one of the major agricultural concern that significantly limits the crop productivity. The plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) may contribute in sustainable crop production under salt stress. The current study was designed to isolate the Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) producing salt tolerant PGPR to promote the growth of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, FH-142) and induce its salt stress tolerance. Ten Salt Tolerant (ST) bacterial strains were screened for their PGP trait in vitro and evaluated for their beneficial effect on cotton plants growth by plant–microbe interaction assay in lab and under natural condition. GC–MS analysis of the metabolites of the selected bacterial strains confirmed the presence of indolic compounds like indole, indole-3-butyramide, benzylmalonic acid and 4-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. The bacterial isolates ST4, ST5, ST6, ST15, ST16, ST17, ST18, ST20, ST22 and ST25 were identified as Bacillus sp., B. sonorensis, B. cereus, B. subtilis, Brevibacillus sp. B. safensis, B. paramycoides, Bacillus sp., B. cereus and B. tequilensis respectively on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing. Bacteria inoculated plants had a significant (P < 0.05) increase in percentage germination up to (31%), root length (17%) and shoot length (34%) in lab while in wire house pot experiments, maximum enhancement in root length (31%) and shoot length (29%) was observed. ST bacterial strains inoculation improved the chlorophyll content index (34%), relative water content (36%), leaf area (33%), absorption of K⁺ (28%) and decreased the uptake of Na⁺ (58%) from soil in plants under salt stress over control in pot experiment. These ST PGPR have the potential to act as plant defense agents by enhancing plant growth, productivity, and tolerance in saline environment.     

Phylogenetic diversity and investigation of plant growth-promoting traits of actinobacteria in coastal salt marsh plant rhizospheres from Jiangsu,China

Actinobacteria from special habitats are of interest due to their producing of bioactive compounds and diverse ecological functions. However, little is known of the diversity and functional traits of actinobacteria inhabiting coastal salt marsh soils. We assessed actinobacterial diversity from eight coastal salt marsh rhizosphere soils from Jiangsu Province, China, using culture-based and 16S rRNA gene high throughput sequencing (HTS) methods, in addition to evaluating their plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits of isolates. Actinobacterial sequences represented 2.8%–43.0% of rhizosphere bacterial communities, as determined by HTS technique. The actinobacteria community comprised 34 families and 79 genera. In addition, 196 actinobacterial isolates were obtained, of which 92 representative isolates were selected for further 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. The 92 strains comprised seven suborders, 12 families, and 20 genera that included several potential novel species. All representative strains were tested for their ability of producing indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD), hydrolytic enzymes, and phosphate solubilization. Based on the presence of multiple PGP traits, two strains, Streptomyces sp. KLBMP S0051 and Micromonospora sp. KLBMP S0019 were selected for inoculation of wheat seeds grown under salt stress. Both strains promoted seed germination, and KLBMP S0019 significantly enhanced seedling growth under NaCl stress. Our study demonstrates that coastal salt marsh rhizosphere soils harbor a diverse reservoir of actinobacteria that are potential resources for the discovery of novel species and functions. Moreover, several of the isolates identified here are good candidates as PGP bacteria that may contribute to plant adaptions to saline soils.     

缓解花生连作障碍的根际促生菌分离及功能鉴定

[目的] 长期连作障碍严重降低花生生产的产量及品质,根际促生菌可有效降解土壤中自毒化感物质、抑制植物病原菌生长及促进植物生长,从而有效缓解连作障碍问题。筛选优化具有缓解花生连作障碍能力的多功能根际益生微生物,验证其益生作用能力,为根际促生菌株在连作障碍中的应用提供理论依据及技术支持。[方法] 采集连作12年地块花生根际土壤,利用以酚酸为唯一碳源的筛选培养基获得具有酚酸自毒化感物质降解及利用能力的根际促生菌,通过16S rRNA基因测序进行系统发育分析,确定根际促生菌菌株的分类地位,并验证其对植物病原菌生长抑制能力及解磷、解钾、产植物激素吲哚乙酸能力。[结果] 从连作12年的花生发病土壤中获得7株可高效降解酚酸类自毒物质且降解底物多样的根际微生物菌株,经16S rRNA测序比对分别为克雷伯氏菌B02 （Klebsiella sp.B02）、克雷伯氏菌B07 （Klebsiella sp.B07）、克雷伯氏菌B15 （Klebsiella sp.B15）、芽孢杆菌B28 （Bacillus sp.B28）、不动杆菌P09 （Acinetobacter sp.P09）、布鲁氏杆菌VA05 （Brucella sp.VA05）、芽孢杆菌CA04 （Bacillus sp.CA04）。促生实验表明,7株高效降解菌株均可以合成吲哚乙酸,3株具有固氮能力,4株菌具有解有机磷及无机磷的能力,2株菌具有解钾的能力。拮抗实验表明,2株菌可以抑制多种植物病原菌的生长,均为芽孢杆菌属。选取Bacillus sp.B28初步验证对花生种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响,结果表明根际促生菌可显著缓解酚酸对花生种子发芽的抑制,并明显促进花生幼苗的生长。[结论] 获得多株具有降解酚酸类自毒化感物质、抑制植物病原菌生长及促进植物生长的多功能花生根际促生菌,更好地为根际促生菌在连作障碍治理中的有效应用提供菌株及技术支持。     

Phylogenetic Diversity and Characterization of Novel and Efficient Cellulase Producing Bacterial Isolates from Various Extreme Environments

A set of 300 bacterial strains isolated from various extreme environments were screened for the presence of cellulase activity on CMC agar plates. Phylogenetic analysis of the positive strain, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolates were clustered within Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. A majority (17) of the isolates were identified as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, and Lysinibacillus sp., and the remaining three were identified as Arthobacter, Rhodococcus, and Bhargavaea cecembensis. Among the 20 positive isolates, 6 were evaluated for the production of cellulases on five different cellulosic substrates. Two isolates, B. cecembensis and Bacillus sp., based on maximum enzyme production on all cellulosic substrates, especially CMC and rice straw, were evaluated in terms of enzyme properties and kinetics. The enzymes of these two isolates are found to be active over broad range of pH and temperature. Such thermostable enzymes facilitate the development of efficient and cost-effective forms of the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process converting lignocellulosic biomass into biofuels and value-added products.     

Isolation of micropropagated strawberry endophytic bacteria and assessment of their potential for plant growth promotion

Twenty endophytic bacteria were isolated from the meristematic tissues of three varieties of strawberry cultivated in vitro, and further identified, by FAME profile, into the genera Bacillus and Sphingopyxis. The strains were also characterized according to indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization and potential for plant growth promotion. Results showed that 15 strains produced high levels of IAA and all 20 showed potential for solubilizing inorganic phosphate. Plant growth promotion evaluated under greenhouse conditions revealed the ability of the strains to enhance the root number, length and dry weight and also the leaf number, petiole length and dry weight of the aerial portion. Seven Bacillus spp. strains promoted root development and one strain of Sphingopyxis sp. promoted the development of plant shoots. The plant growth promotion showed to be correlated to IAA production and phosphate solubilization. The data also suggested that bacterial effects could potentially be harnessed to promote plant growth during seedling acclimatization in strawberry.     

佳西热带雨林土壤芽胞杆菌分离与多样性分析

采用热处理法从海南省佳西热带雨林土壤中分离到147株芽胞杆菌,并利用16S rDNA PCR-RFLP与序列分析技术对其遗传多样性进行了研究。16S rDNA PCR-RFLP酶切图谱UPGMA聚类分析结果表明,在100%的相似性水平上,这些芽胞杆菌分属13个遗传类群。不同遗传类型代表菌株的16S rRNA基因序列分析结果显示,它们分布在Bacillaceae、Planococcaceae和Paenibacillaceae科的Bacillus、Lysinibacillus、Paucisalibacillus、Bhargavaea和Paenibacillus五个属,其中Bacillus为优势属(占50%);有3株芽胞杆菌的16S rRNA基因序列与数据库中相应模式菌株的最大相似性在98.3%~98.9%之间。结果表明,佳西热带雨林土壤中芽胞杆菌有着较为丰富的遗传多样性。     

芽胞杆菌BJ-6的鉴定及对甜瓜细菌性果斑病的防治

芽胞杆菌是目前植物病害生物防治研究最多的一类微生物,其在自然界中分布广泛,开发潜力大。【目的】为了探究从杏树根际土壤分离的芽胞杆菌BJ-6的分类地位及其防病促生作用。【方法】本研究测定了芽胞杆菌BJ-6的形态和生理生化特征,通过PCR扩增了该菌的16S rRNA、gyrA和gyrB基因并进行了序列测定,通过多基因聚类分析确定其分类地位,平板对峙法测定抗菌谱,盆栽幼苗实验验证其对甜瓜细菌性果斑病的防治效果和对甜瓜的促生作用。【结果】结合形态特征、生理生化特性及多基因序列分析建立的系统进化树,确定菌株BJ-6为解淀粉芽胞杆菌(B. amyloliquefaciens),抑菌实验发现该菌株对15种植物病原菌均有不同程度的抑菌活性,盆栽实验结果发现该菌株发酵液对甜瓜细菌性果斑病有很好的防治效果,并对甜瓜苗有很好的促生作用。【结论】BJ-6属于解淀粉芽胞杆菌,抑菌谱广,且具有防病促生作用,具有进一步开发为生防制剂的前景。     

Molecular Phylogeny and Diversity of the Salt-Tolerant Alkaliphilic Actinobacteria Inhabiting Coastal Gujarat,India

Actinobacteria is a dominant phylum in saline soil and play important roles in the process of organic matter decomposition and biogeochemical cycling. In this study, we investigated the diversity and phylogeny of the haloalkaliphilic actinobacteria that inhabited the saline soil of Coastal Gujarat (India) using conventional and molecular approaches. The actinobacteria were diversified on the basis of their growth patterns, morphology, spore color and sugar utilization. The cultivated actinobacteria were genetically diverse, with the ability to grow at high salt concentrations. The salt resistance feature was widely distributed among the isolates and not confined to any particular phylogenetic cluster. The PCR -DGGE approach was used to assess molecular diversity and to mitigate the limitation of the 16S rRNA sequence approach. Reproducible band profiles confirmed that the PCR-DGGE provided an excellent tool for the 16S rDNA heterogeneity analysis. The migration behavior of the 16S rRNA genes on the DGGE gel suggested lack of correlation between the band numbers and α-diversity. The findings highlighted the trends associated with the microbial community and signify the role of the DGGE in distinguishing a group of species that exhibit 16S rRNA based phylogenetic relatedness with distinct phenotypic characters. Based on the 16S rRNA genes, the actinobacteria were identified as belong to Nocardiopsis, Brachybacterium, Streptomyces and Prauseria. Nocardiopsis was the most predominant actinobacterial genera. The study indicated that a combination of the conventional and molecular approaches could be highly significant in analyzing the diversity of the actinobacteria from the saline habitat.     

基于可培养方法分析云南腾冲小空山火山谷芽胞杆菌分布特征

【目的】为了解云南腾冲小空山火山谷土壤中可培养芽胞杆菌种类分布特征。【方法】采用可培养手段对小空山火山谷阳坡、谷底和阴坡土壤中的芽胞杆菌进行分离培养,根据16S rRNA基因序列同源性对分离菌株进行鉴定,并分析系统发育地位。利用Canoco5软件分析采样点芽胞杆菌种类分布特征与土壤样品理化性质的相关性。【结果】从火山谷土壤样品中共分离获得180株芽胞杆菌,16S rRNA基因测序鉴定结果表明分离菌株隶属于芽胞杆菌纲2个科(芽胞杆菌科和类芽胞杆菌科)、6个属、34个种,其中芽胞杆菌属(Bacillus) 11个种,类芽胞杆菌属(Paenibacillus) 14个种,短芽胞杆菌属(Brevibacillus)3个种,赖氨酸芽胞杆菌属(Lysinibacillus)4个种,嗜冷芽胞杆菌属(Psychrobacillus)1个种和绿芽胞杆菌属(Viridibacillus)2个种,其中7个菌株与其最近模式菌株16SrRNA相似性低于种的界定阈值(98.65%),为芽胞杆菌潜在新物种。优势属为芽胞杆菌属和类芽胞杆菌属,优势种为蕈状芽胞杆菌(Bacillusmycoides),图瓦永芽胞杆菌(Bacillustoyonensis),蜡状芽胞杆菌(Bacilluscereus),解木糖赖氨酸芽胞杆菌(Lysinibacillusxylanilyticus),蜂房类芽胞杆菌(Paenibacillusalvei)和沙地绿芽胞杆菌(Viridibacillus arenosi)。其中16个种分离自阳坡,29个种分离自阴坡,9个种分离自谷底,三者共同种类为6种。阳坡、谷底和阴坡的芽胞杆菌种群分布Bray-Curtis相似性为62.4%,多样性分析结果表明,Shannon指数(H′)大小次序为阴坡阳坡谷底。环境因子分析发现,芽胞杆菌种群分布多样性特征与其土壤的海拔高度、碳氮比和硫含量呈负相关,而和碳源和氮源含量呈正相关。【结论】从以上结果得出,云南腾冲火山谷有着较为丰富的芽胞杆菌资源,且还存在可分离培养的芽胞杆菌的潜在新物种,为利用火山微生物资源提供了保障。     

Antagonistic activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp. obtained from an Algerian oilfield and chemical biocide THPS against sulfate-reducing bacteria consortium inducing corrosion in the oil industry

The present study enlightens the role of the antagonistic potential of nonpathogenic strain B21 against sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) consortium. The inhibitor effects of strain B21 were compared with those of the chemical biocide tetrakishydroxymethylphosphonium sulfate (THPS), generally used in the petroleum industry. The biological inhibitor exhibited much better and effective performance. Growth of SRB in coculture with bacteria strain B21 antagonist exhibited decline in SRB growth, reduction in production of sulfides, with consumption of sulfate. The observed effect seems more important in comparison with the effect caused by the tested biocide (THPS). Strain B21, a dominant facultative aerobic species, has salt growth requirement always above 5% (w/v) salts with optimal concentration of 10–15%. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain B21 is a member of the genus Bacillus, being most closely related to Bacillus qingdaonensis DQ115802 (94.0% sequence similarity), Bacillus aidingensis DQ504377 (94.0%), and Bacillus salarius AY667494 (92.2%). Comparative analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequence data plus physiological, biochemical, and phenotypic features of the novel isolate and related species of Bacillus indicated that strain B21 may represent a novel species within the genus Bacillus, named Bacillus sp. (EMBL, FR671419). The results of this study indicate the application potential of Bacillus strain B21 as a biocontrol agent to fight corrosion in the oil industry.     

Isolation and characterization of a potential biocontrol agent Bacillus KM5 from rhizosphere soil of a rice plant

Twelve microbial isolates were isolated and purified from rhizosphere soil of a healthy rice plant. One of the isolate named as KM 5 showed antagonist activity in vitro against Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo, Helminthosporium oryzae, Gibberella fujikuroi, Rhizoctonia solani Nees and Fusarium udum. KM 5 was characterized by microscopic, Gram stain and biochemical methods belonging to genus Bacillus. The genus Bacillus was further confirmed by isolation of genomic DNA, 16S rRNA amplification using Bacillus specific primers. Sequencing of the PCR amplified product using 775 base pairs and further NJ phylogenetic analysis confirmed that the microorganism is a new strain of bacterium named as Bacillus sp. KM 5. Partial sequence of 16S rRNA gene has been deposited to NCBI GenBank data base with accession no. EU266068 and deposited to MTCC with accession no. MTCC-5413. The cell free culture filtrate of Bacillus sp. KM 5 inhibited the growth of all test fungi. An antifungal protein produced by Bacillus sp. KM 5 was purified by ammonium sulphate. The protein was stable at 20, 40, 60 and 100°C and remained active after sterilization at 121°C for 15 min.     

Biodegradation of 2-Nitrotoluene by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Micrococcus</Emphasis> sp. strain SMN-1

A bacterial consortium capable of degrading nitroaromatic compounds was isolated from pesticide-contaminated soil samples by selective enrichment on 2-nitrotoluene as a sole source of carbon and energy. The three different bacterial isolates obtained from bacterial consortium were identified as Bacillus sp. (A and C), Bacillus flexus (B) and Micrococcus sp. (D) on the basis of their morphological and biochemical characteristics and by phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. The pathway for the degradation of 2-nitrotoluene by Micrococcus sp. strain SMN-1 was elucidated by the isolation and identification of metabolites, growth and enzymatic studies. The organism degraded 2-nitrotoluene through 3-methylcatechol by a meta-cleavage pathway, with release of nitrite.     

Diazotrophic bacilli isolated from the sunflower rhizosphere and the potential of Bacillus mycoides B38V as biofertiliser

The nitrogen fixation by strains belonging to the Bacillus genus remains poorly explored. In this work, the diversity of endospore‐forming bacilli isolated from the rhizosphere of sunflower was evaluated. A total of 101 strains were identified based on the V1‐V2 variable regions of the 16S rRNA gene. Strains belonging to the genera Bacillus and Paenibacillus represented 41.6% and 58.4%, respectively, of total isolates. The production of indolic compounds was a common trait among the isolates, and approximately 75% of them exhibited positive nitrogenase activity; but only 9.2% displayed activities higher than 1 nmol C₂H₄ mg protein h^?1. Within the genus Bacillus, the isolates related to the B. cereus group displayed the highest nitrogenase activity and were the second most frequent group of Bacillus sp. isolated. Plants inoculated with the isolate B38V showed the highest N content, and their shoot dry weights were significantly increased compared with positive control. Our results indicated that B38V, which belongs to the B. mycoides species, has the potential to promote sunflower growth. The data obtained in this study provide additional information concerning the diversity of Gram‐positive diazotrophic within the genera Bacillus and Paenibacillus and their potential for the biofertilisation of sunflower crops.     

Isolation and Characterization of Mercury Resistant Bacillus sp. from Soils with an Extensive History as Substrates for Mercury Extraction in Mexico

Metal phytoextraction assisted by bacteria plays an important role in bioremediation systems. In this work, mercury-resistant bacterial strains were isolated from soils with high levels of mercury (San Joaquin, Queretaro State, Mexico) and identified as Bacillus sp. based on the 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The bacterial strains were found to exhibit different multiple mercury-resistance and carbon source utilization characteristics. The mercury reduction ability was tested through a volatilization assay. The bacterial isolates were also evaluated for their ability to promote growth and mercury uptake in tomato plants. In a roll towel assay, the maximum vigor index of tomato plants was obtained with the inoculation of Bacillus sp. A2, A12, B11, B15 and C1, while in a pot assay, the maximum vigor index was obtained with the inoculation of Bacillus sp. A6, A7 and B20, compared with un-inoculated controls in the presence of HgCl₂. Maximum Hg accumulation in the roots and shoots of tomato plants was obtained only with Bacillus sp. A7 in the roll towel assay, whereas in the pot assay, maximum accumulation was obtained with Bacillus sp. A12 compared with un-inoculated controls. Our results show that mercury accumulation in tissue is enhanced by these plant growth promoting bacterial strains, which recommends their possible use as microbe-assisted phytoremediation systems in mercury-polluted soils.     

Biocontrol Potential of Soybean Bacterial Endophytes Against Charcoal Rot Fungus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhizoctonia bataticola</Emphasis>

A total of 137 bacterial isolates from surface sterilized root, stem, and nodule tissues of soybean were screened for their antifungal activity against major phytopathogens like Rhizoctonia bataticola, Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium udam, and Sclerotium rolfsii. Nine bacterial endophytes suppressed the pathogens under in vitro plate assay. These were characterized biochemically and identified at the genus level based on their partial sequence analysis of 16S rDNA. Eight of the isolates belonged to Bacillus and one to Paenibacillus. The phylogenetic relationship among the selected isolates was studied and phylogenetic trees were generated. The selected isolates were screened for biocontrol traits like production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore, hydrolytic enzymes, antibiotics, and plant growth promoting traits like indole 3-acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization, and nitrogen fixation. A modified assessment scheme was used to select the most efficient biocontrol isolates Paenibacillus sp. HKA-15 (HKA-15) and Bacillus sp. HKA-121 (HKA-121) as potential candidates for charcoal rot biocontrol as well as soybean plant growth promotion.