Harnessing the plant microbiome for sustainable crop production.

Global research on the plant microbiome has enhanced our understanding of the complex interactions between plants and microorganisms. The structure and functions of plant-associated microorganisms, as well as the genetic, biochemical, physical and metabolic factors that influence the beneficial traits of plant microbiota have also been intensively studied. Harnessing the plant microbiome has led to the development of various microbial applications to improve crop productivity in the face of a range of challenges, for example, climate change, abiotic and biotic stresses, and declining soil properties.

Tracking maize colonization and growth promotion by Azospirillum reveals strain-specific behavior and the influence of inoculation method.

Inoculation of Azospirillum in maize has become a standard practice in Latin America. However, information on the behavior and population survival of the Azospirillum post-inoculation is scarce, making standardization difficult and generating variations in inoculation efficiency across assays. In this study, we tracked the colonization of three agriculturally relevant Azospirillum strains (Ab-V5, Az39, and the ammonium excreting HM053) after different inoculation methods in maize crops by qPCR.

Datathons: fostering equitability in data reuse in ecology.

Approaches to rapidly collecting global biodiversity data are increasingly important, but biodiversity blind spots persist. We organized a three-day Datathon event to improve the openness of local biodiversity data and facilitate data reuse by local researchers. The first Datathon, organized among microbial ecologists in Uruguay and Argentina assembled the largest microbiome dataset in the region to date and formed collaborative consortia for microbiome data synthesis.

Genome-based reclassification of Az39 as the type strain of sp. nov.

Strain Az39 of is a diazotrophic plant growth-promoting bacterium isolated in 1982 from the roots of wheat plants growing in Marcos Juárez, Córdoba, Argentina. It produces indole-3-acetic acid in the presence of l-tryptophan as a precursor, grows at 20-38 °C (optimal 38 °C), and the cells are curved or spiral-shaped, with diameters ranging from 0.5-0.

The Azospirillum brasilense type VI secretion system promotes cell aggregation, biocontrol protection against phytopathogens and attachment to the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana.

The plant-growth-promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense is able to associate with the microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana. Attachment of A. brasilense increases the metabolic performances of the microalgae.

The drop plate method as an alternative for Azospirillum spp. viable cell enumeration within the consensus protocol of the REDCAI network.

Quality evaluation of commercial inoculants is essential to warrant an adequate crop response to inoculation within a biosecurity framework. In this sense, this work is aimed at standardizing and validating the drop plate method for the enumeration of Azospirillum viable cells as an alternative to the spread plate technique, which is currently proposed in the consensus protocol of the REDCAI network. Between 14 and 25 private and public laboratories participated in three independent trials.

Molecular and physiological analysis of indole-3-acetic acid degradation in Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109.

Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109 is a bacterium widely used for inoculants production in Argentina. It is known for its ability to produce several phytohormones and degrade indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The genome sequence of B.

Genome-based reclassification of Sp245 as the type strain of sp. nov.

sp. strain Sp245, originally identified as belonging to , is recognized as a plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium due to its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and to produce plant-beneficial compounds. sp.

What Do We Know About the Publications Related with Azospirillum? A Metadata Analysis.

Azospirillum is one of the most successful plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) genera and it is considered a study model for plant-bacteria interactions. Because of that, a wide broad of topics has been boarded and discussed in a significant number of publications in the last four decades. Using the Scopus® database, we conducted a bibliographic search in order to analyze the number and type of publications, the authors responsible of these contributions, and the origin of the researchers, as well as the keywords and journals selected by the authors, among other related characteristics, with the aim to understand some less addressed details about the work done with Azospirillum worldwide since its discovery in 1925.

Correction to: Evaluation of growth and motility in non-photosynthetic Azospirillum brasilense exposed to red, blue, and white light.

In the original article, last name and first names of all the authors are inverted. The correct names should appears as "Romina Molina, Gastón López, Belén Rodríguez, Susana Rosas, Verónica Mora, Fabricio Cassán".

Evaluation of growth and motility in non-photosynthetic Azospirillum brasilense exposed to red, blue, and white light.

Azospirillum brasilense is a non-photosynthetic rhizobacterium that promotes the growth of plants. In this work, we evaluated the effects of different light qualities on the growth, viability, and motility in combination to other culture conditions such as temperature or composition of the culture medium. Exponential cultures of A.

[Development of sequence characterized amplified region markers for identification of Azospirillum brasilense Az39].

Azospirillum brasilense Az39 has been used since more than 30 years by several companies in South America for biofertilizers production. This strain may promote plants growth and development, as well as the ability of inoculated plants to tolerate environmental stresses, which determines an increase in the productivity under field conditions. At present, there are no protocols in Argentina to confirm the identity of Az39 in commercial products; however, such biofertilizers are formulated almost exclusively with this strain.

Regulation of IAA Biosynthesis in Azospirillum brasilense Under Environmental Stress Conditions.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is one of the most important molecules produced by Azospirillum sp., given that it affects plant growth and development. Azospirillum brasilense strains Sp245 and Az39 (pFAJ64) were pre-incubated in MMAB medium plus 100 mg/mL L-tryptophan and treated with or exposed to the following (a) abiotic and (b) biotic stress effectors: (a) 100 mM NaCl or NaSO 4.

Genome Sequence of Bradyrhizobium japonicum E109, One of the Most Agronomically Used Nitrogen-Fixing Rhizobacteria in Argentina.

We present here the complete genome sequence of Bradyrhizobium japonicum strain E109, one of the most used rhizobacteria for soybean inoculation in Argentina since the 1970s. The genome consists of a 9.22-Mbp single chromosome and contains several genes related to nitrogen fixation, phytohormone biosynthesis, and a rhizospheric lifestyle.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Model Rhizosphere Strain Azospirillum brasilense Az39, Successfully Applied in Agriculture.

We present the complete genome sequence of Azospirillum brasilense Az39, isolated from wheat roots in the central region of Argentina and used as inoculant in extensive and intensive agriculture during the last four decades. The genome consists of 7.39 Mb, distributed in six replicons: one chromosome, three chromids, and two plasmids.

Genotypic characterization of Azotobacteria isolated from Argentinean soils and plant-growth-promoting traits of selected strains with prospects for biofertilizer production.

The genetic diversity among 31 putative Azotobacter isolates obtained from agricultural and non-agricultural soils was assessed using rep-PCR genomic fingerprinting and identified to species level by ARDRA and partial 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. High diversity was found among the isolates, identified as A. chroococcum, A.

Production and function of jasmonates in nodulated roots of soybean plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum.

Little is known regarding production and function of endogenous jasmonates (JAs) in root nodules of soybean plants inoculated with Bradyrhizobium japonicum. We investigated (1) production of jasmonic acid (JA) and 12-oxophytodienoic acid (OPDA) in roots of control and inoculated plants and in isolated nodules; (2) correlations between JAs levels, nodule number, and plant growth during the symbiotic process; and (3) effects of exogenous JA and OPDA on nodule cell number and size. In roots of control plants, JA and OPDA levels reached a maximum at day 18 after inoculation; OPDA level was 1.

A simple method to evaluate the number of bradyrhizobia on soybean seeds and its implication on inoculant quality control.

Soybean seeds are non-sterile and their bacterial population interferes with the enumeration of beneficial bacteria, making it difficult to assess survival under different conditions. Within this context, the principal aims of this work were: (1) to improve a selective media for the enumeration of B. japonicum recovered from inoculated soybean seeds; (2) to establish the most representative mathematical function for B.

Isolation and characterization of endophytic plant growth-promoting (PGPB) or stress homeostasis-regulating (PSHB) bacteria associated to the halophyte Prosopis strombulifera.

This study was designed to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria from halophyte Prosopis strombulifera grown under extreme salinity and to evaluate in vitro the bacterial mechanisms related to plant growth promotion or stress homeostasis regulation. Isolates obtained from P. strombulifera were compared genotypically by BOX-polymerase chain reaction, grouped according to similarity, and identified by amplification and partial sequences of 16S DNAr.

Gibberellin production by bacteria and its involvement in plant growth promotion and yield increase.

This review focuses on studies with bacteria for which biosynthesis/production of the plant hormones gibberellins have been demonstrated. Actual data on gibberellin metabolism by bacteria are analyzed in comparison with the biosynthetic pathways known for vascular plants and fungi. The potential involvement of gibberellins produced by symbiotic and soil-endophytic microorganisms in plant growth promotion and yield increase is also discussed.