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Diversity and phylogeny of plant growth‐promoting bacilli from moderately acidic soil
Author(s) -
Yadav Subhash,
Kaushik Rajeev,
Saxena Anil K.,
Arora Dilip K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of basic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.58
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1521-4028
pISSN - 0233-111X
DOI - 10.1002/jobm.201000098
Subject(s) - biology , bacilli , rhizosphere , bacillus (shape) , amplified ribosomal dna restriction analysis , 16s ribosomal rna , phylogenetic tree , botany , genetic diversity , bacteria , phylogenetics , phylogenetic diversity , microbiology and biotechnology , bacillus megaterium , soil microbiology , ribosomal rna , ribosomal dna , genetics , gene , population , demography , sociology
The molecular diversity of aerobic endospore‐forming bacteria, typically Bacillus and its derived genera, has been investigated in various environments. However, there have been few investigations concerning Bacillus in acidic soils. In this study, the genotypic diversity and phylogenetic relationships among plant growth‐promoting (PGP) bacilli isolated from the rice rhizosphere growing in acidic soils of Kerala (pH varying from 6.3 to 6.8) were investigated. For assessing their biocontrol potential and PGP attributes, 115 isolates were randomly selected and 49 isolates that were positive for multiple traits were selected. Metabolic characterization of representative strains, using the Biolog GP2 (Gram Positive) MicroPlate TM , revealed a large versatility with respect to carbohydrate utilization. Amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis revealed 13 clusters at 65% similarity level, which consisted of 1–21 strains. 16S rDNA partial sequencing assigned all the isolates, except for one, to the Bacillus genus, with close relatedness to Bacillus humi , B. megaterium , B. drentensis , B. pocheonensis , B. aestuarii , B. arbutinivorans , B. niacini , and Brevibacterium casei . The Bacillus species with different metabolic capabilities, PGP abilities, and genetic diversity found in this study are likely to have ecological relevance. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)