Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance

Abstract Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are soil microorganisms through which phytohormones and other bioactive compounds are produced, thereby enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance. In this study, a novel PGPR strain was identified from the rhizosphere of Lycium chinense seedling...

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Main Authors: Sanghee Lee, Young Kook Kim, Haulin Nie, Jongmin Ahn, Nayoung Kim, Seo-Rin Ko, Ah-Hyeon Choi, Hayoung Kwon, Yuxin Peng, Suk-Yoon Kwon, Ah-Young Shin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-08-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14065-1
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author Sanghee Lee
Young Kook Kim
Haulin Nie
Jongmin Ahn
Nayoung Kim
Seo-Rin Ko
Ah-Hyeon Choi
Hayoung Kwon
Yuxin Peng
Suk-Yoon Kwon
Ah-Young Shin
author_facet Sanghee Lee
Young Kook Kim
Haulin Nie
Jongmin Ahn
Nayoung Kim
Seo-Rin Ko
Ah-Hyeon Choi
Hayoung Kwon
Yuxin Peng
Suk-Yoon Kwon
Ah-Young Shin
author_sort Sanghee Lee
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are soil microorganisms through which phytohormones and other bioactive compounds are produced, thereby enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance. In this study, a novel PGPR strain was identified from the rhizosphere of Lycium chinense seedlings, which produce protein-rich fruit. Whole-genome sequencing and annotation revealed that the genome of this strain, designated Pseudomonas sp. A-2, consists of a 6.65-Mb circular chromosome with 5,980 predicted protein-coding sequences. Comparative genomic analysis classified the strain within the genus Pseudomonas. The A-2 strain genome encodes proteins involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis and signaling pathways, which was validated through IAA detection assays and quantitative analyses. Plant growth rates were significantly enhanced by the A-2 strain treatment, with increases of 3-fold in Arabidopsis, 1.5-fold in tobacco, and 1.35-fold in peanut. In Arabidopsis thaliana, expression of key genes associated with lateral and adventitious root formation was induced by the A-2 strain treatment, including ARFs, AMI1, TAA1, YUCs, IBRs, TOB1, and ECH2. Moreover, enhanced tolerance to salt stress was conferred by the A-2 strain treatment, as evidenced by improved biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Levels of total soluble sugars, including trehalose, were elevated in the A-2 strain treated plants, suggesting a role in osmotic adjustment under stress. The plant growth–promoting and stress-alleviating properties of Pseudomonas sp. A-2 highlight its potential application as an effective biological agent for sustainable agriculture.
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spelling doaj-art-accf3e4e97bf49b9bbb0553faf8b2b862025-08-24T11:21:26ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111910.1038/s41598-025-14065-1Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress toleranceSanghee Lee0Young Kook Kim1Haulin Nie2Jongmin Ahn3Nayoung Kim4Seo-Rin Ko5Ah-Hyeon Choi6Hayoung Kwon7Yuxin Peng8Suk-Yoon Kwon9Ah-Young Shin10Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Natural Product Research Center, KRIBBPlant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Biological Resource Center, Korean Collection for Type Cultures (KCTC), KRIBBPlant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB)Abstract Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are soil microorganisms through which phytohormones and other bioactive compounds are produced, thereby enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance. In this study, a novel PGPR strain was identified from the rhizosphere of Lycium chinense seedlings, which produce protein-rich fruit. Whole-genome sequencing and annotation revealed that the genome of this strain, designated Pseudomonas sp. A-2, consists of a 6.65-Mb circular chromosome with 5,980 predicted protein-coding sequences. Comparative genomic analysis classified the strain within the genus Pseudomonas. The A-2 strain genome encodes proteins involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis and signaling pathways, which was validated through IAA detection assays and quantitative analyses. Plant growth rates were significantly enhanced by the A-2 strain treatment, with increases of 3-fold in Arabidopsis, 1.5-fold in tobacco, and 1.35-fold in peanut. In Arabidopsis thaliana, expression of key genes associated with lateral and adventitious root formation was induced by the A-2 strain treatment, including ARFs, AMI1, TAA1, YUCs, IBRs, TOB1, and ECH2. Moreover, enhanced tolerance to salt stress was conferred by the A-2 strain treatment, as evidenced by improved biomass accumulation, chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced lipid peroxidation. Levels of total soluble sugars, including trehalose, were elevated in the A-2 strain treated plants, suggesting a role in osmotic adjustment under stress. The plant growth–promoting and stress-alleviating properties of Pseudomonas sp. A-2 highlight its potential application as an effective biological agent for sustainable agriculture.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14065-1Adventitious rootsAuxinLateral rootsPlant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)PseudomonasSalt stress tolerance
spellingShingle Sanghee Lee
Young Kook Kim
Haulin Nie
Jongmin Ahn
Nayoung Kim
Seo-Rin Ko
Ah-Hyeon Choi
Hayoung Kwon
Yuxin Peng
Suk-Yoon Kwon
Ah-Young Shin
Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
Scientific Reports
Adventitious roots
Auxin
Lateral roots
Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)
Pseudomonas
Salt stress tolerance
title Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
title_full Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
title_fullStr Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
title_full_unstemmed Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
title_short Functional characterization of a novel plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
title_sort functional characterization of a novel plant growth promoting rhizobacterium enhancing root growth and salt stress tolerance
topic Adventitious roots
Auxin
Lateral roots
Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)
Pseudomonas
Salt stress tolerance
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14065-1
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