Genome Sequence of Streptomyces cavourensis 1AS2a, a Rhizobacterium Isolated from the Brazilian Cerrado Biome

Identification and antibacterial evaluation of endophytic actinobacteria from Luffa cylindrica

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has limited treatment options and led to the untreatable infections, thereby necessitating the discovery of new antibiotics to battel against bacteria. Natural products from endophytic actinobacteria (EA) serve as a reservoir for discovery of new antibiotics. Therefore, the current study focused on the isolation and antibacterial properties of EA isolated from Luffa cylindrica. Six strains were identified using morphological characterization, SEM analyses and 16S rRNA gene sequencing from the roots and leaves of the plant. They were taxonomically classified as Streptomycetaceae family. This is the first report on EA form L. cylindrica. The strains produced a chain of oval, cubed or cylindrical shaped spores with spiny or smooth surfaces. Three strains; KUMS-B3, KUMS-B4 and KUMS-B6 were reported as endophytes for the first time. Fifty percent of isolates were isolated from leaves samples using YECD medium. Our results showed that the sampling time and seasons may affect the bacterial diversity. All six strains had antibacterial activity against at least one of the tested bacteria S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli. Among the strains, KUMS-B6 isolate, closely related to S. praecox, exhibited the highest antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and negative bacteria. KUMS-B6, KUMS-B5 and KUMS-B4 isolates strongly inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa. Interestingly, the strains, isolated from leaves exhibited stronger antagonist activities compared to those isolated from the roots. The study revealed that the isolated strains from Luffa produce a plethora of bioactive substances that are potential source of new drug candidates for the treatment of infections.

An Actinobacterium Strain From Soil of Cerrado Promotes Phosphorus Solubilization and Plant Growth in Soybean Plants

The huge biological diversity of the Brazilian Cerrado is an important source of economically interesting microbial agents. The phylum Actinobacteria plays an important role in nutrient cycling, potentially improving their availability to plants. In this study, we isolated an actinobacteria (strain 3AS4) from wheat rhizospheres of crops cultivated in the Cerrado biome. Strain 3AS4 was identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces and had phosphorus mobilization ability, mineralizing approximately 410 μg ml^–1 from phytate, 300 μg ml^–1 from calcium phosphate, and 200 μg ml^–1 from rock phosphate. The analysis of the actinobacteria crude extract by spectrometric techniques revealed the presence of gluconic and 2-ketogluconic acid, and a greenhouse experiment was carried out to evaluate its plant growth promotion activity in soybean. Soil in its natural condition (with no phosphorus addition), 40 kg ha^–1 rock phosphate from Bayovar (RP) added to soil, and triple super phosphate (SPT) added to soil were used. Significant differences in plant height were observed at 6 weeks when the plants were inoculated with the 3AS4 strain. The growth of inoculated plants in natural condition was promoted in 17% compared with the RP and SPT non-inoculated conditions, suggesting that inoculation can enable plants to grow with lower chemical P fertilizers. In the plants that were inoculated with the 3AS4 strain in the RP condition, the plant height increased by approximately 80% and the shoot:root ratio was approximately 30% higher compared to control conditions (non-inoculated plants in natural conditions). 3AS4 has P-solubilizing potential and can be exploited as an inoculant for soybean cultivation. These results suggest that this actinobacterium is a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture and will allow the reduction of phosphate fertilization in the future.