Diversity, characterization, and biotechnological potential of plant growth-promoting bacteria from Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) (Crassulaceae) roots and rhizosphere soil.

Cultivable microbial communities associated with plants inhabiting extreme environments have great potential in biotechnological applications. However, there is a lack of knowledge about these microorganisms from Bryophyllum pinnatum (which survives in severely barren soil) and their ability to promote plant growth. The present study focused on the isolation, identification, biochemical characterization, and potential applications of root endophytic bacteria and rhizosphere bacteria. A total of 73 bacterial isolates were obtained, with 50 derived from rhizospheric soil and 23 from root tissue. The identified strains were categorized into 16 genera, with Bacillus, Priestia, Pseudarthrobacter, Neobacillus, Mesobacillus, and Arthrobacter being the most species-rich genera. Heat stress experiments indicated that almost half (50.7%) of the selected isolates were tolerant to heat stress. Furthermore, most strains present diverse capabilities for biotechnological applications, including the potential for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, organic phosphorus solubilization, inorganic phosphorus solubilization, and nitrogen fixation. Some isolates (21.92%) exhibited broad-spectrum antagonistic activity against various phytopathogenic fungi, including Fusarium spp. Agar plate assays revealed that the Cellulomonas hominis strain LS43 and Bacillus inaquosorum strain LS77 significantly increased the total fresh weight of Arabidopsis (P < 0.05), yet these strains did not significantly affect the primary root length or the number of leaves. Notably, a subset of the strains tested did not significantly increase the growth of Arabidopsis and, in fact, had inhibitory effects on certain growth parameters. This is the first investigation highlighting the potential of root endophytic bacteria and rhizosphere bacteria in association with B. pinnatum in barren soils. Thus, these isolated strains positively influence plant nutrient uptake, stress resilience, and biocontrol to reduce chemical inputs in conventional agricultural practices, highlighting the importance of their development as biofertilizers for improving the quality of barren soil.