Genome sequence of Acidomonas methanolica CPK24 isolated from sugarcane with plant growth-promoting traits

Abstract

Importance of the work: Endophytic bacteria have been recognized as powerful plant growth promoters. The beneficial strains isolated from sugarcane, which produce phytohormones, raise nutrient bioavailability and act as biocontrol agents, might encourage the production of important agricultural crops.
Objectives: To evaluate the plant growth-promoting (PGP) activities of an endophytic bacterium isolated from the root of sugarcane and to characterize the genes related to its PGP mechanisms.
Materials & Methods: The strain CPK24 was characterized using combined data from phenotypic tests, phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and genome features. The PGP activities of the bacterial strain were determined. Genome analysis was used to examine the genes responsible for PGP traits.
Results: The endophytic acetic acid bacterium Acidomonas methanolica strain CPK24 (=TBRC 14896) was isolated from the root of sugarcane in Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. The strain CPK24 was able to produce indole-3-acetic acid (49.75 μg/mL), solubilize zinc oxide and zinc phosphate with solubilization index values of 3.47 and 6.44, respectively. In addition, this strain inhibited the growth of the fungal pathogen, Fusarium moniliforme AIT01 (19.65%). The draft genome consisted of 3,708,126 bp with an average GC content of 64.8%. Genome annotations predicted 3,405 proteins coding genes, including 46 tRNAs and 3 rRNAs. The strain contained the PGP genes involving phytohormone production and mineral solubilization. In addition, some genes were identified that responded to produce volatile organic compounds, acetoin and 2,3-butanediol that exhibited antagonistic activity.
Main finding: The strain CPK24 had the potential to stimulate plant growth-promoting activities. The genome information of A. methanolica CPK24 should provide a valuable overview of the genetics of its plant growth-promoting functions.