Purpose
This study aims to characterize plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in
sunflowers growing in different locations at North West of Iran.
Materials and methods
Sunflower plants were collected from different regions of West Azarbaijan, and
rhizospheric bacterial strains were isolated and screened for PGP traits.
Identification and characterization of the PGPR were conducted based on 16s rDNA
sequences and phenotypic analysis, the strains clustered for genetic diversity by
rep-PCR method.
Results
Among the 80 bacterial isolates, 20 showed PGP traits and were selected for
other potentials. All the selected isolates produced indole-3-acetic acid at the rate
of 9.2–33.7 mg/ml. In addition, 13, 15, 12, and 16 were positive for phosphate
solubilization, siderephore, hydrogen cyanide, and ammonia production, respectively.
The results from a subsequent pot experiment indicated that PGPRs distinctly increased
sun flower shoot and root length, shoot and root fresh weight, as well as shoot and
root dry weight. Based on 16S rDNA sequences and biochemical and physiological
characteristics, 20 PGPRs were identified as Pseudomonas
fluorescens (five isolates), Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (four isolates), Pseudomonas
geniculata (one isolate), Bacillus subtilis
(four isolates), Bacillus pumilus (two isolates),
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (two isolates), and
Brevibacterium frigoritolerans (two isolates). In
rep-PCR, PGPR isolates were differentiated into seven clusters (A–G) at 65% similarity
level. These results demonstrated the existence of a considerable species richness and
genetic diversity among PGPRs isolated from different regions of North West of
Iran.
Conclusions
To the best of our knowledge, this is first report for the identification and
characterization of B. frigoritolerans as PGPR in sunflower
plants.