LAUSR

AIM Environmental stresses such as water deficit induced stress are one of the major limiting factors in crop production. However, some plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can promote plant growth in such adverse condition. Therefore, the objective was to isolate rhizospheric bacteria from Phaseolus vulgaris L. growing in a drought-affected soil and to analyze its plant growth promoting (PGP) efficacy to black gram (Vigna mungo L.) and Bhut jolokia (Capsicum chinense Jacq.). Whole-genome sequencing of the potential bacteria was targeted to analyze the genetic potential of the isolate as a plant growth-promoting agent. METHODS AND RESULTS The isolate Enterobacter asburiae EBRJ12 was selected based on its PGP efficacy, which significantly improved plant growth and development. The genomic analysis revealed the presence of one circular chromosome of size 4.8 Mb containing 16 genes for osmotic stress regulation including osmotically inducible protein osmY, outer membrane protein A precursor ompA, aquaporin Z, and an operon for osmoprotectant ABC transporter yehZYXW. Moreover, the genome has a complete genetic cluster for biosynthesis of siderophore Enterobactin and siderophore Aerobactin.The PGP effects were verified with black gram and Bhut jolokia in pot experiments. The isolate significantly increased the shoot length by 35.0% and root length by 58.0% of black gram, while 41.0% and 57.0% of elevation in shoot and root length were observed in Bhut jolokia compared to non-inoculated plants. CONCLUSIONS The EBRJ12 has PGP features that could improve the growth in host plants, and the genomic characterization revealed the presence of genetic potential for plant growth promotion.