Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province

Guar (<i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> L. Taub.) is a significant summer legume used as food for both humans and livestock. In Saudi Arabia, the root nodule bacteria of guar have not been studied. The present work investigated the phenotypic and genetic diversity of guar microsymbionts. Ei...

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Main Authors: Mosbah Mahdhi, Boshra Yami, Mohamed Al Abboud, Emad Abada, Habib Khemira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Soil Systems
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/2/39
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author Mosbah Mahdhi
Boshra Yami
Mohamed Al Abboud
Emad Abada
Habib Khemira
author_facet Mosbah Mahdhi
Boshra Yami
Mohamed Al Abboud
Emad Abada
Habib Khemira
author_sort Mosbah Mahdhi
collection DOAJ
description Guar (<i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> L. Taub.) is a significant summer legume used as food for both humans and livestock. In Saudi Arabia, the root nodule bacteria of guar have not been studied. The present work investigated the phenotypic and genetic diversity of guar microsymbionts. Eighty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from the root nodules of guar grown in different locations of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The strains were analyzed based on their phenotypic characteristics and variations in their 16S rRNA gene sequences. A significant proportion of the isolates (90%) were fast-growing rhizobia, with 77% showing tolerance to 3–4% NaCl and 91% capable of thriving at temperatures reaching 40 °C. Several isolates exhibited strong plant growth-promoting traits, particularly in IAA production and phosphate solubilization. Genetic analysis indicated considerable diversity, with isolates classified under the genera <i>Rhizobium</i>, <i>Ensifer</i>, <i>Mesorhizobium</i>, <i>Bradyrhizobium</i>, and <i>Agrobacterium</i>. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the phenotypic and genetic diversity of guar microsymbionts in Saudi Arabia.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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series Soil Systems
spelling doaj-art-1e6ff952babf4f019f9dc93f17a6461e2025-08-20T03:26:52ZengMDPI AGSoil Systems2571-87892025-04-01923910.3390/soilsystems9020039Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan ProvinceMosbah Mahdhi0Boshra Yami1Mohamed Al Abboud2Emad Abada3Habib Khemira4Laboratory of Biodiversity and Valorization of Bioresources in Arid Zones (LR18ES36), Faculty of Sciences of Gabes, University of Gabes, Gabes 6029, TunisiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi ArabiaEnvironment and Nature Research Center, Jazan University, P.O. Box 114, Jazan 45142, Saudi ArabiaGuar (<i>Cyamopsis tetragonoloba</i> L. Taub.) is a significant summer legume used as food for both humans and livestock. In Saudi Arabia, the root nodule bacteria of guar have not been studied. The present work investigated the phenotypic and genetic diversity of guar microsymbionts. Eighty-eight bacterial strains were isolated from the root nodules of guar grown in different locations of Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. The strains were analyzed based on their phenotypic characteristics and variations in their 16S rRNA gene sequences. A significant proportion of the isolates (90%) were fast-growing rhizobia, with 77% showing tolerance to 3–4% NaCl and 91% capable of thriving at temperatures reaching 40 °C. Several isolates exhibited strong plant growth-promoting traits, particularly in IAA production and phosphate solubilization. Genetic analysis indicated considerable diversity, with isolates classified under the genera <i>Rhizobium</i>, <i>Ensifer</i>, <i>Mesorhizobium</i>, <i>Bradyrhizobium</i>, and <i>Agrobacterium</i>. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the phenotypic and genetic diversity of guar microsymbionts in Saudi Arabia.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/2/39legumesrhizobiagenetic diversityroot nodulessymbiosis16S rRNA gene
spellingShingle Mosbah Mahdhi
Boshra Yami
Mohamed Al Abboud
Emad Abada
Habib Khemira
Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province
Soil Systems
legumes
rhizobia
genetic diversity
root nodules
symbiosis
16S rRNA gene
title Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province
title_full Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province
title_fullStr Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province
title_full_unstemmed Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province
title_short Genetic Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Root-Nodulating Bacteria in Guar Plants Across Jazan Province
title_sort genetic diversity and plant growth promoting activities of root nodulating bacteria in guar plants across jazan province
topic legumes
rhizobia
genetic diversity
root nodules
symbiosis
16S rRNA gene
url https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8789/9/2/39
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