Phosphate solubilization and plant growth promotion by two Pantoea strains isolated from the flowers of Hedychium coronarium L.

Abstract

Phosphorus (P) is an essential macronutrient for plants and is considered as one of the limiting nutrients to plants. The majority of P in the soil is found in the form of insoluble phosphate complexes, making the P unavailable for plants. In the present study, we report two highly efficient phosphate solubilizing bacteria isolated from the closed flower of Hedychium coronarium L., a medicinal plant commonly known as Gulbakawali. Based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization, the two bacterial isolates were identified as genus Pantoea and designated as HCF6 and HCF9. Both these isolates efficiently solubilize tricalcium phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2] present in National Botanical Research Institute’s Phosphate (NBRIP) medium by releasing soluble phosphate up to 2000 μg ml-1 and also partially solubilize aluminium phosphate (AlPO4). HCF6 and HCF9 possess several plant growth promoting traits and were evaluated for plant growth promotion ability using sand as a growth medium. Wheat plants treated with the bacterial isolates had increased root and shoot length and plant dry mass and accumulated higher inorganic phosphate in the plant tissue suggesting their role in mobilizing soluble P from insoluble P-complexes. Overall, our findings suggest that both these Pantoea isolates (HCF6 and HCF9) represent promising candidates as bioinoculants.

Degradation of Triazole Fungicides by Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria from Contaminated Agricultural Soil

“…The nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilizing properties of the three isolates are recognized as important features in the agricultural soil system. Their ability to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia [ 26 , 30 , 31 ], as well as insoluble inorganic phosphate compounds into available forms [ 26 , 55 , 56 ], plays a vital role in providing essential nutrients that living organisms can use for biosynthesis. Additionally, during the growth of our strains, cellulose degradation was also observed, facilitating the conversion of organic waste into valuable organic matter and contributing to the reduction of the C:N ratio while also enhancing soil productivity [ 57 , 58 ].…”

Secondary Metabolites and Their Role in Strawberry Defense

“…Beneficial microbes include bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities. They promote plant growth by improving nutrient acquisition through solubilization of phosphate, increasing nitrogen availability from organic matter, and iron chelation by siderophore activity [ 57 , 58 ]. They also improve plant disease resistance by inducing phytohormones, production of antibiotics and fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes, and competition for iron uptake by siderophores [ 57 ] and increase tolerance to abiotic stress such as drought and salt and insect herbivory [ 59 , 60 ].…”

Enhancing drought tolerance in Malva parviflora plants through metabolic and genetic modulation using Beauveria bassiana inoculation

“…Moreover, many studies have found that endophytes serve as bio-stimulants to promote macro- and micronutrient uptake and translocation that ultimately modify phytohormones to improve plant growth [ 18 , 20 ]. Fungal endophytes can solubilize phosphate, generate phytohormones such as indole acetic acid (IAA), gibberellic acid (GA), and siderophore [ 21 , 22 ], and encourage plants to produce antioxidants, crucial for ROS scavenging [ 11 , 20 ].…”