Unveiling the Multifaceted Potential of Acinetobacter sp. strain HSTU BF2R3 to Promote Tomato Plant Growth: A Comprehensive Genomic Analysis of Endophytic Bacterium Isolated from Eggplant Root

Abstract

Acinetobacter sp. strain HSTU-BF2R3, a novel endophytic bacterium, was isolated from the roots of eggplant (Solanum melongena) near the campus of HSTU (Hajee Mohammad Danesh Sciences and Technology University). The complete genome sequence of this bacterium was analyzed, revealing the presence of various genes associated with plant growth promotion and pesticide degradation. By performing functional annotation and comparative genomic analysis, we uncovered a plethora of endophytic bacterium genes in Acinetobacter sp. HSTU-BF2R3 that contribute to plant growth promotion. The aims of this study are to point out the evaluation of biochemical and plant growth promoting characteristics, whole genome sequencing, and pesticide metabolites capability by the isolated strain. The isolated strain showed positive and negative results in different biochemical tests according to its nature. The isolate has shown suitable in vitro growth promoting activities between different groups of treatment and was exhibited very significant growth-promoting effects compared with the control on Tomato plants and significant (p< 0.05) difference have been revealed in plant growth parameters between treatments. In this research paper, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the HSTU BF2R3 strain genome to elucidate its plant growth-promoting capabilities, with a focus on the identification of various genes involved in nitrogen fixation, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production,1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity, sulfur metabolism, phosphate metabolism, and other growth-promoting genes. The identified genes could play a vital role in enhancing plant growth and protecting the plant from harmful pesticide residues. The phylogenetic tree analysis was constructed based on conserved genomic markers to position HSTU-BF2R3 within the Acinetobacter genus and elucidate its evolutionary relationship with closely related strains. Through this analysis, we sought to understand its phylogenetic placement and evolutionary divergence. The findings from this study revealed that Acinetobacter sp. HSTU-BF2R3 possesses a unique genomic profile with a rich repertoire of genes involved in plant growth promotion and pesticide degradation. This suggests its potential application as a biofertilizer and bioremediation agent for sustainable agriculture practices. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis indicated its distinct evolutionary history within the Acinetobacter genus, possibly signifying its adaptation to the plant rhizosphere. The genomic insights provided in this study offer a solid foundation for further research and exploration of this promising bacterium's agricultural applications, which could ultimately contribute to the development of eco-friendly and sustainable crop management strategies.