Characterisation OF Pb-RESISTANT plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from Scirpus grossus

Abstract Microorganisms that have the potential to improve plant productivity and health are known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. Rhizobacteria play a major role in phytoremediation process by increasing the phytoremediation efficiency, thus the need to identify the superior rhizosphere bacteria has been gaining serious attention. In the current study, Scirpus grossus were exposed to a series of lead-contaminated sand (50, 100, 150, 200 and 300 mg/L) in plastic crates in greenhouse enviroment. Four weeks after exposure, the plants could sustain with toxicity of lead contamination by as much as 300 mg/L. Twenty two colonies of rhizobacteria were isolated from plant roots of Scirpus grossus. The rhizobacteria were characterised based on cell and colony observation. Identification of rhizobacteria was carried out based on analysis of 16S rDNA sequences and were identified as Aeromonas taiwanensis isolate 5E, Bacillus sp. Isolate 7G, Bacillus cereus isolate 8H and 3C , Bacillus velezensis isolate 9I, Bacillus proteolyticus isolate 4D, Bacillus stratosphericus isolate 14N, Bacillus megaterium isolate 11K , Pseudomonas sp. Isolate 12L , Enterobacter cloacae isolate 13M and isolate 16P, Bacillus aerius isolate 15O and Lysinibacillus sp. isolate 10J. The highly lead-resistant rhizobacteria were identified as Bacillus proteolyticus isolate 4D, Bacillus velezensis isolate 9I and Lysinibacillus sp. isolate 10J , which can tolerate against high concentration of lead (300 mg/L). The results showed that these highly lead-resistant rhizobacteria have potential to produce plant growth-promoting traits and have a ability to help S. grossus growth and productivity.