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Restoration of the soil fertility under Cr(VI) and artificial drought condition by the utilization of plant growth–promoting Bacillus spp. SSAU2

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Abstract

The study explores the potential of an indigenous halo-tolerant microbe identified as Bacillus spp. SSAU-2 in enhancing soil fertility and promoting plant growth for sustainable agricultural practices under the influence of multiple abiotic stresses such as Cr(VI), high salinity, and artificial drought condition. The study investigated various factors influencing IAA synthesis by SSAU-2, such as pH (5 to 11), salinity (10 to 50 g/L), tryptophan concentration (0.5 to 1%), carbon (mannitol mand lactose), and nitrogen sources (peptone and tryptone). The highest IAA concentration was observed at pH 10 (1.695 mg/ml) and pH 11 (0.782 mg/ml). IAA synthesis was optimized at a salinity level of 30 g/l, with lower and higher salinity levels resulting in decreased IAA concentrations. Notably, the presence of mannitol and lactose significantly augmented IAA synthesis, while glucose and sucrose had inhibitory effects. Furthermore, peptone and tryptone played a pivotal role in enhancing IAA synthesis, while ammonium chloride exerted an inhibitory influence. SSAU-2 showed a diverse array of capabilities, including the synthesis of gibberellins, extracellular polymeric substances, siderophores, and hydrogen cyanide along with nitrogen fixation and ammonia production. The microbe could efficiently tolerate 45% PEG-6000 concentration and effectively produce IAA in 15% PEG concentration. It could also tolerate high concentration of Cr(VI) and synthesize IAA even in 50 ppm Cr(VI). The findings of this study provide valuable insights into harnessing the potential of indigenous microorganisms to promote plant growth, enhance soil fertility, and establish sustainable agricultural practices essential for restoring the health of ecosystems.

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Acknowledgements

Mr. Abhijeet Sharma is grateful to the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi for providing him with the Junior Research Fellowship for his work under the sanction order BT/PR31340/BCE/8/1505/2019.

Funding

This work was funded by Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi, under the sanction order BT/PR31340/BCE/8/1505/2019.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Biotechnology, University of Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj, India, 211002

    Abhijeet Sharma, Neetu Maurya, Shashank Mani Tripathi, Saumya Jaiswal, Manshi Agrawal & Shanthy Sundaram

  2. Department of Biochemistry, S. S. Khanna Girls’ Degree College, Uttar Pradesh, Prayagraj, India, 211002

    Shailendra Kumar Singh

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Contributions

Abhijeet Sharma has conceptualized, experimented and performed the experiment. Mr. Sharma, Neetu Maurya and Shailendra Kumar Singh have written the original draft which is finalized and reviewed by Prof. Shanthy Sundaram. Manshi Agrawal, Saumya Jaiswal and Shashank Mani Tripathi have helped Mr Sharma in the experimentation.

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Correspondence to Shanthy Sundaram.

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Sharma, A., Singh, S.K., Maurya, N. et al. Restoration of the soil fertility under Cr(VI) and artificial drought condition by the utilization of plant growth–promoting Bacillus spp. SSAU2. Int Microbiol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10123-024-00528-4

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