Characterization of Methanol Metabolism Genes and Plant Growth-Promoting Traits in Bacteria from the Rice Rhizosphere

T Kavya; Geeta Singh; Venkadasamy Govindasamy; Narayanan Balamurugan; C H. Sushmitha; Sushmitha J; Prabhakar Prasad Barnwal

doi:10.56093/ijas.v95i10.166827

Authors

T Kavya Ph.D Scholar, Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Dr. Geeta Singh Principal scientist, IARI, New Delhi.
Venkadasamy Govindasamy Senior scientist
Narayanan Balamurugan
C H. Sushmitha
Sushmitha J
Prabhakar Prasad Barnwal

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v95i10.166827

Abstract

Methylotrophic bacteria isolated from the rice rhizosphere were evaluated for their carbon use efficiency and plant growth-promoting characteristics. In this investigation, six bacterial isolates previously obtained from paddy soil were examined for their ability to utilize methanol. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, these isolates were identified as Bacillus rugosus (strain MB1), Bacillus subtilis (strain MB2), Priestia aryabhattai (strain MB3), Rhizobium pusense (strain MB4), Priestia megaterium (strain MB5), and Sphingobium sp. (strain MB6). Further amplification of 3 methane metabolism genes mmoX, pmoA and mxaF confirmed their methylotrophic nature. Their evaluation for the methanol use efficiency in terms of cumulative CO₂ evolution per unit of cell protein content which was expressed as specific respiration was ranged from 0.009-0.063 mg of CO₂/µg of protein. An assessment of their plant growth-promoting (PGPR) traits, including N-fixation, solubilization of P, K, and Zn, as well as IAA and exopolysaccharide production, revealed significant differences among these organisms. Based on results obtained Rhizobium pusense strain MB4 and Sphingobium sp. strain MB6 were best in terms of both PGPR traits and methanol use efficiency. This study suggests that methylotrophic bacteria can be used as promising candidates for enhancing crop growth.

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Author Biography

Dr. Geeta Singh, Principal scientist, IARI, New Delhi.

Agriculture Microbiology

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