A. N. M. Shahriar Zawad1, Tanim Jabid Hossain1.2*, Md. Mahfuz Ahmed1, Nadia Islam1, Imteaj Uddin Chowdhury1, Mohammad Razuanul Hoque1
Summary: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) enhance plant growth, biomass production, and environmental adaptability, offering a sustainable, eco-friendly solution to boost crop productivity and agricultural sustainability. This study evaluated the impact of six PGPR isolates – Bacillus cereus PGPR-13, Acinetobacter oleivorans PGPR-14, Staphylococcus epidermidis PGPR-15, Pantoea dispersa PGPR-24, Serratia nematodiphila PGPR-27, and Pantoea anthophila PGPR-34 – and their consortium, on Chrysanthemum growth under pot and field conditions. The PGPR strains, previously isolated from chrysanthemum rhizosphere and confirmed for in vitro plant growth-promoting activities, significantly enhanced key growth parameters, including stem length, root length, stem diameter, and biomass accumulation. Among individual treatments, A. oleivorans (PGPR-14) achieved a remarkable 114% increase in stem length during pot trials, while the consortium exhibited the highest stem diameter (1.09 cm) and dry biomass (33.03 g). Field trials confirmed these findings, with consortium-treated plants attaining superior growth metrics, including a stem length of 75.33 cm, root length of 31.73 cm, fresh biomass of 512 g, and dry biomass of 284.33 g, outperforming most individual strains. S. epidermidis (PGPR-15) and S. nematodiphila (PGPR-27) also demonstrated notable biomass enhancements, with mean fresh weights exceeding 390 g in field trials. These results highlight the synergistic effects of the PGPR consortium and the exceptional growth-promoting potential of individual strains such as A. oleivorans, S. epidermidis, and P. dispersa. The study underscores the promise of PGPR as sustainable biofertilizers to enhance chrysanthemum growth, offering an effective and ecofriendly solution to reduce dependence on chemical inputs. Future research should focus on optimizing microbial consortia, elucidating their functional mechanisms, and expanding their applications to enhance crop productivity and sustainability across diverse agricultural systems.
Tanim Jabid Hossain*
Summary: Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are integral to sustainable agriculture, enhancing plant growth, nutrient availability, and soil health. The genome analysis of Pantoea dispersa PGPR-24, a rhizobacterium isolated from the chrysanthemum rhizosphere, reveals its extensive potential as a PGPR supported by diverse genetic pathways linked to nutrient mobilization, plant growth promotion, and stress adaptation. The 4.746 Mb genome, with 99.37% completeness and 4,411 coding sequences, encodes key genes for phosphate solubilization, siderophore-mediated iron acquisition, sulfate assimilation, and ammonia assimilation, highlighting its role in nutrient cycling and bioavailability. Genes associated with auxin and cytokinin biosynthesis suggest its potential to produce phytohormones that regulate root architecture, enhance nutrient uptake, and support plant development. Additionally, the genome encodes biosynthetic pathways for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acetoin and 2,3-butanediol, which are known stimulate root elongation, improve stress tolerance, and activate plant defense responses. Furthermore, the genome features compounds with antimicrobial and protective properties, such as siderophores, carotenoids and exopolysaccharides, which contribute to pathogen suppression, biofilm formation and enhanced rhizosphere colonization. Genes supporting motility, chemotaxis, and adhesion further strengthen potential for efficient colonization and plant-microbe interactions. Stress-response mechanisms, including pathways for osmoregulation, oxidative and periplasmic stress tolerance, and starvation resistance, equip the strain to thrive in diverse environmental conditions. These genomic insights, complemented by its reported in vitro plant growth-promoting traits, not only position P. dispersa PGPR-24 as a highly versatile rhizobacterium for sustainable agriculture but also offer a valuable genetic framework for advancing our understanding of PGPR-mediated plant growth promotion and stress resilience.