Halotolerant native bacteria Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 alleviate saline stress in tomato plants.

Salinity is one of the principal abiotic stresses that limit the growth and productivity of crops. The use of halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that increase the growth of salt-stressed crops is an environmentally friendly alternative to promote plant yield under salinity. The aim of this study was to test native PGPR, isolated according to their tolerance to NaCl, and to evaluate their influence on morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits promoted by salt stress in tomato plants. Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 were selected as the most efficient strains in terms of salt tolerance. Both strains were classified as moderately resistant to salinity (NaCl) and maintained their plant growth-promoting activities, such as nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization, even in the presence of high levels of salt. The results of a greenhouse experiment demonstrated that PGPR inoculation increased root and shoot dry weight, stem diameter, plant height, and leaf area compared to control noninoculated plants under nonsaline stress conditions, reversing the effects of salinity. Inoculated plants showed increased tolerance to salt conditions by reducing electrolyte leakage (improved membrane stability) and lipid peroxidation and increasing chlorophyll quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm) and the performance index. Also, inoculation increased the accumulation of proline and antioxidant nonenzymatic compounds, such as carotenes and total phenolic compounds. The catalase and peroxidase activities increased with salinity, but the effect was reversed by Enterobacter 64S1. In conclusion, Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 isolated from salt-affected regions have the potential to alleviate the deleterious effects of salt stress in tomato crops.

Native bacteria isolated from roots and rhizosphere of Solanum lycopersicum L. increase tomato seedling growth under a reduced fertilization regime.

In semiarid regions is important to use native strains best adapted to these environments to optimize plant-PGPR interaction. We aimed to isolate and characterize PGPR from roots and rhizosphere of a tomato crop, as well as studying the effect of its inoculation on tomato seedlings growth. We selected four strains considering their effectiveness of fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphate, producing siderophores and indole acetic acid. They belong to the genera Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Cellulosimicrobium, and Ochrobactrum. In addition, we also analyzed the ability to solubilize Ca3(PO4)2, FePO4 and AlPO4 and the presence of one of the genes encoding the cofactor PQQ in their genome. Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 showed the highest phosphorus solubilizing activity and presence of pqqE gene. Furthermore, in a tomato-based bioassay in speed-bed demonstrated that a sole inoculation at seedling stage with the strains increased dry weight of roots (49-88%) and shoots (39-55%), stem height (8-13%) and diameter (5-8%) and leaf area (22-31%) and were equal or even higher than fertilization treatment. Leaf nitrogen and chlorophyll levels were also increased (50-80% and 26-33%) compared to control. These results suggest that Enterobacter 64S1 and Pseudomonas 42P4 can be used as bio-inoculant in order to realize a nutrient integrated management.