Characterization of rhizobia for beneficial traits that promote nodulation in legumes under abiotically stressed conditions.

The growing interest in using rhizobia as inoculants in sustainable agricultural systems has prompted the screening of rhizobia species for beneficial traits that enhance nodulation and nitrogen fixation under abiotic stressed conditions. This study reports phenotypic and phylogenetic characterization of rhizobia strains previously isolated from the root nodules of several indigenous and exotic legumes growing in South Africa and other countries. The Rhizobia strains were screened for their ability to tolerate various abiotic stresses (temperature 16, 28, and 36 °C; acidity/alkalinity pH 5, 7, and 9; heavy metals 50, 100, and 150 mM AlCl3.

Genome sequence of an indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores producing SARCC-3054 with the potential as a microbial inoculant for enhanced crop production.

The genome of strain SARCC-3054 was sequenced after being confirmed as a potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in both and assays. The 6.3 MB genome has a GC content of 60.