Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases
The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth-promoting effects of four rhizobacterial isolates (RS60, RS65, RS46, and RP6) isolated from the tomato rhizosphere. These isolates were screened for key plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mechanisms, including ammonia production, nitro...
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2025-06-01
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| author | Hasna El hjouji Redouan Qessaoui Salahddine Chafiki El Hassan Mayad Hafsa Houmairi Khadija Dari Bouchaib Bencharki Hinde Aassila |
| author_facet | Hasna El hjouji Redouan Qessaoui Salahddine Chafiki El Hassan Mayad Hafsa Houmairi Khadija Dari Bouchaib Bencharki Hinde Aassila |
| author_sort | Hasna El hjouji |
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| description | The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth-promoting effects of four rhizobacterial isolates (RS60, RS65, RS46, and RP6) isolated from the tomato rhizosphere. These isolates were screened for key plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mechanisms, including ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and siderophore synthesis. Their potential to enhance seed germination and tomato plant growth was investigated in controlled and greenhouse conditions. Four isolates exhibited multiple PGPR attributes, notably IAA and ammonia production as well as phosphate solubilization. The results revealed that these strains significantly enhanced tomato seed germination and shoot growth in vitro, with RS65 showing the highest germination rate (70%). However, no significant differences in early seedling responses were observed under greenhouse conditions when compared to the control. Thirty days after inoculation, greenhouse results revealed that the four studied strains significantly increased growth metrics including shoot length, number of leaves, collar diameter, and dry weight. The isolate RP6 showed a significant effect on the growth of the plant, with an average shoot length of 34.40 cm and nine leaves per plant. In vitro antagonism assays demonstrated that isolates RS60, RS65, and RP6 effectively inhibited the growth of <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Alternaria alternata</i>, and <i>Oidium lycopersici</i>, with inhibition rates exceeding 65%. These antagonistic activities were linked to the production of hydrolytic enzymes (chitinase, cellulase, pectinase, protease), siderophores, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed the isolates as <i>Bacillus cereus</i> (RS60), <i>Bacillus pumilus</i> (RS46), <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> (RP6), and <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> (RS65), each showing over 97% sequence similarity with reference strains. These findings underscore the potential of the selected Bacillus spp. as promising biofertilizers and biocontrol agents for sustainable tomato cultivation and support their inclusion in integrated disease and nutrient management strategies. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 2075-1729 |
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| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5376c7fd202448c8ad664a9fd8b723f12025-07-25T13:28:00ZengMDPI AGLife2075-17292025-06-0115799710.3390/life15070997Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated DiseasesHasna El hjouji0Redouan Qessaoui1Salahddine Chafiki2El Hassan Mayad3Hafsa Houmairi4Khadija Dari5Bouchaib Bencharki6Hinde Aassila7Faculty of Science & Technology, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, MoroccoRegional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoRegional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, MoroccoFaculty of Science, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Valorization of Natural Resources, Ibn Zohr University of Agadir, Agadir 80000, MoroccoFaculty of Science & Technology, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, MoroccoFaculty of Science & Technology, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, MoroccoFaculty of Science & Technology, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, MoroccoFaculty of Science & Technology, Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Hassan First University of Settat, Settat 26000, MoroccoThe purpose of this study was to investigate the growth-promoting effects of four rhizobacterial isolates (RS60, RS65, RS46, and RP6) isolated from the tomato rhizosphere. These isolates were screened for key plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mechanisms, including ammonia production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and siderophore synthesis. Their potential to enhance seed germination and tomato plant growth was investigated in controlled and greenhouse conditions. Four isolates exhibited multiple PGPR attributes, notably IAA and ammonia production as well as phosphate solubilization. The results revealed that these strains significantly enhanced tomato seed germination and shoot growth in vitro, with RS65 showing the highest germination rate (70%). However, no significant differences in early seedling responses were observed under greenhouse conditions when compared to the control. Thirty days after inoculation, greenhouse results revealed that the four studied strains significantly increased growth metrics including shoot length, number of leaves, collar diameter, and dry weight. The isolate RP6 showed a significant effect on the growth of the plant, with an average shoot length of 34.40 cm and nine leaves per plant. In vitro antagonism assays demonstrated that isolates RS60, RS65, and RP6 effectively inhibited the growth of <i>Botrytis cinerea</i>, <i>Alternaria alternata</i>, and <i>Oidium lycopersici</i>, with inhibition rates exceeding 65%. These antagonistic activities were linked to the production of hydrolytic enzymes (chitinase, cellulase, pectinase, protease), siderophores, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Molecular identification through 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed the isolates as <i>Bacillus cereus</i> (RS60), <i>Bacillus pumilus</i> (RS46), <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> (RP6), and <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> (RS65), each showing over 97% sequence similarity with reference strains. These findings underscore the potential of the selected Bacillus spp. as promising biofertilizers and biocontrol agents for sustainable tomato cultivation and support their inclusion in integrated disease and nutrient management strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/997plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria<i>Bacillus</i> spp.biocontrol agentstomato |
| spellingShingle | Hasna El hjouji Redouan Qessaoui Salahddine Chafiki El Hassan Mayad Hafsa Houmairi Khadija Dari Bouchaib Bencharki Hinde Aassila Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases Life plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria <i>Bacillus</i> spp. biocontrol agents tomato |
| title | Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases |
| title_full | Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases |
| title_fullStr | Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases |
| title_short | Enhancement of Tomato Growth Through Rhizobacteria and Biocontrol of Associated Diseases |
| title_sort | enhancement of tomato growth through rhizobacteria and biocontrol of associated diseases |
| topic | plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria <i>Bacillus</i> spp. biocontrol agents tomato |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/15/7/997 |
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