Plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria associated with Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb and their plant beneficial traits

Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb. is a halophyte desert plant. The plant is known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal and phytoremediation properties. Halocnemum strobilaceum grows in severe salinity and drought conditions and its’ survival can be associated with activity of endophytic bacteria. The aim of the research was to reveal and study plant growth-promoting endophytic bacteria isolated from Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb. The plants were collected from Kyzylkum desert in Uzbekistan. The endophytic bacteria were isolated from Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M.Bieb. tissues and screened for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth-promoting activity. As a result the most active isolates HAST-2, HAST-7, HAST-9, HAST-10 and HAST-17 were selected. The cotton seeds’ inoculation with these bacterial isolates resulted in significant improvement of seeds germination, root and shoot length, and fresh plant weight due to their ability to fix nitrogen, produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, siderophores and solubilize phosphates. The chosen isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene analysis and registered in GenBank (NCBI) as Bacillus megaterium HAST-2, Bacillus aryabhattai HAST-7, Pseudomonas plecoglossicida HAST-9, Pseudomonas putida HAST-10 and Pseudomonas chlororaphis HAST-17. These strains can be used as bio-inoculants to improve the growth of cotton and other crops

Population of Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.)M.Bieb in a Dry Salt Lake of the Central Kyzylkum

Halocnemum strobilaceum (Pall.) M. Bieb. is a halophytic desert plant. This plant population is widespread in areas of high salinity of the world, including a Dry Salt Lake of the Central Kyzylkum. Analyzing the environment of the plant root system and the inorganic and organic composition of the soil of dried salt marshes using modern methods is of great importance in explaining the mechanisms of rapid growth and development of H. strobilaceum in areas affected by the stress factor. In the researches, with the help of IR spectroscopic and agrochemical methods, the amount of inorganic salts and organic substances in the soil around the root system of the H. strobilaceum plant was shown to be closer to the standard indicators than the amount of these substances in the soil of dry saline areas. The obtained results serve to explain the importance of H. strobilaceum and similar dominant species in the formation of plant populations in arid and saline areas

Plant growth-promoting properties of endophytic bacteria isolated from some xerophytic plants distributed in arid regions (Uzbekistan)

Recent advancements in the development of endophytic microorganisms-based stimulants have shown promising potential in various fields. Research on the identification of these endophytic microorganisms has been well reported, however, there are limited studies of these endophytes isolated from plants in arid regions. Thus, isolation and identification of promising microbial endophytes from xerophytic plants is essential in technology development for sustainable agriculture in arid regions. This study aims to identify the endophytic bacteria isolated from Kochia prostrata (L.) Schrad. and Ceratoides eversmanniana (Stschegl. ex I.G.Borshch.) Botsch. & Ikonn. in vertical zones of arid regions of Uzbekistan, and examine their potential plant growth-promoting properties. Using Luria-Bertani (LB) medium, 70 distinct bacterial colony were isolated from the different segments of K. prostrata and C. eversmanniana. These isotypes were screened using NaCl-supplemented LB medium in which nine promising bacterial isolates showed tolerance to 15% NaCl. The nine promising halophytes were subjected to molecular identification using specific primers. The isolates from K. prostrata are identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Priestia aryabhattai, Pseudomonas putida, and Priestia endophytica. On the other hand, Priestia megaterium, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis and Brevibacillus parabrevis were isolated from C. eversmanniana. The identified isolates also showed significant plant growth-promoting properties (N2-fixation, IAA production, phosphates solubilization, ACC deaminase production, siderophores production) and shows ability to inhibit pathogenic fungal growth. Based on the result, the identified bacterial endophytes can be processed as growth-stimulants and biological control of fungal pathogens in crops in arid regions

SAMARKAND TOURISM DESTINATION: STATUS AND DEVELOPMENT

The article discusses the current tourism potential of the Samarkand tourist destination and the work done to develop this sector. He also covered the reforms being implemented by the leadership of Samarkand region