Diversity of Multi-Trait Plant Growth-Promoting Culturable Bacteria from Natural Geothermal Springs

Abstract

Natural geothermal springs are extreme ecological niches harboring a variety of microbial resources with potential roles in agriculture. The objective of the current study was to investigate the functional microbial diversity of Tattapani and Sohna hot springs. A total of 19 best bacterial strains were selected based on multifunctional plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties. The majority of selected bacterial strains possessed antagonistic activity and were able to solubilize zinc (2.58- 6.00 ZSI), potassium (2.11- 4.00 KSI), phosphate (3.00 PSI) and silicate (1.50- 4.00 SiSI) under in-vitro conditions. Out of selected strains 84% and 73% strains showed siderophore (20.08 to 70.15% siderophore units) and Indole-3-acetic acid production (20.50 − 37.15 μg ml⁻¹), respectively. 16S rDNA sequencing of selected strains showed the predominance of Bacillaceae (44%), Pseudomonadaceae (22%), Moraxellaceae (11%), Enterobacteriaceae (11%), Paracoccaceae (6%) and Acidithiobacillaceae (6%). The outcome of the current investigation shows that multitrait plant growth-promoting bacteria could be isolated from the hot springs and may have a potential impact on crop production of problematic soils. Therefore, these potential strains can be further harnessed for preparation of bioformulations for the sustainable agriculture.

Keywords:

• Biofertilizers
• crop production
• hot springs
• plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to IPL, TIC Center and the in-house funding of IPL Biologicals for providing funds for this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.