Babalola, O. O. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2020

Biochemical and Molecular Characterization, and Bioprospecting of Drought Tolerant Actinomycetes from Maize Rhizosphere Soil

Drought is a major limitation to maize cultivation around the globe. Seven actinomycetes strains were isolated from maize rhizosphere soils in Mahikeng, North-West Province, South Africa. The isolates were biochemically characterized and identified with 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Isolates were also screened in vitro for abiotic stress tolerance to different concentrations of NaCl, pH, and polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), as well as for biosynthesis of drought tolerance genes namely Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Glycine-rich RNA binding protein (GRP), Desiccation protectant protein (DSP), Guanosine triphosphate binding protein (GTP) and plant growth-promoting genes:1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (accd) and siderophore biosynthesis (Sid). About 71.43% of isolates were of the genus Streptomyces (99-100% similarity), while 14.29% belong to the genus Arthrobacter (R15) and 14.29% to the genus Microbacterium (S11) respectively (99% similarity). Five isolates had their optimum growth at 35{degrees}C. Arthrobacter arilaitensis (R15) grew and tolerated 5%, 10%, and 20% PEG at 120 h. Root length increased by 110.53% in PEG treated maize seeds (-0.30 MPa) inoculated with Streptomyces pseudovenezuelae (S20) compared to the un-inoculated control. Likewise, germination percentage and vigor index increased by 37.53% and 194.81% respectively in PEG treated seeds inoculated with S20 than the un-inoculated PEG treated seeds. ACC deaminase gene was amplified in all the isolates, while the gene for siderophore biosynthesis was amplified in 85.71% of the isolates. Genes for the synthesis of GPX, GRP, DSP and GTP were amplified in Arthrobacter arilaitensis (R15) and Streptomyces pseudovenezuelae (S20) which lacked GTP. The amplification of drought-tolerant and plant growth-promoting primers indicates the possible presence of these genes in the isolates. These isolates have the potential for use as bio-inoculants, not only to improve drought tolerance in maize but also to be utilized as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents to facilitate growth promotion.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

BAMBARA GROUNDNUT RHIZOBACTERIA ANTIMICROBIAL AND BIOFERTILIZATION POTENTIAL

Bambara groundnut, an underutilized crop has been proved to be an indigenous crop in Africa with the potential for food security. The rhizosphere of Bambara groundnut like other legumes contains several important bacteria that have not been explored for their plant growth-promoting properties. The aim of this research was to determine the potentials of rhizobacteria from Bambara groundnut soil samples as either biofertilizer or biocontrol agents or both to help provide sustainable agriculture in Africa and globally. Analyses of Bambara groundnut rhizospheric soil samples included chemical analysis such as nitrogen content analysis using extractable inorganic nitrogen method as well as cation exchangeable capacity using ammonium acetate method. Plant growth-promoting properties of isolated rhizobacteria tested include indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, phosphate solubilization, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate and ammonia production activities using standard methods. In addition, antifungal assay dual culture method was used to analyze the biocontrol properties of the isolates. Phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA was also carried out on the isolates. Isolated rhizobacteria from bambara groundnut rhizosphere were cultured. All the isolates were able to produce ammonia and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate while 4.65%, 12.28% and 27.91% produced Hydrogen cyanide, Indole acetic acid and solubilized phosphate respectively, making them important targets as biocontrol and biofertilizer agents. The growth of Fusarium graminearum was suppressed in vitro by 6.98% of the isolates. Plant growth promoting activities of rhizobacteria from bambara groundnut rhizosphere reveals that it has great potentials in food security as biofertilizer and biocontrol agent against fungal and bacterial pathogens.

molecular biology↗