Spore-Forming Bacteria Show Potential to Enhance Wheat Growth Under Climate Change-Induced Stress Conditions

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology have made a groundbreaking discovery in the fight against climate change, demonstrating the potential efficacy of spore inoculation in enhancing wheat plant growth resilience under heat and drought stress conditions. By isolating 243 strains of spore-forming bacteria from the roots and rhizosphere soils of crops, the team was able to identify specific isolates that showed the capability for P solubilization, K solubilization, and indole-3-acetic acid production. These isolates, classified as Priestia and Paenibacillus, were found to have a significant impact on wheat seedling growth, improving shoot and root biomass under both control and stress conditions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research isolated 243 strains of spore-forming bacteria from the roots and rhizosphere soils of crops.
  • The 16 S rRNA sequences of the selected 62 isolates identified Bacillus (45%), Priestia (31%), and Paenibacillus (24%) as the dominant genera.
  • Priestia and Paenibacillus isolates showed the capability for P solubilization, K solubilization, and indole-3-acetic acid production.
  • Inoculation of wheat seedlings with the spores of 13 selected isolates improved shoot and root biomass under control and stress conditions compared to uninoculated controls.
  • Bacillus species showed higher biofilm formation among the three genera and colonized roots endophytically when inoculated as spores under drought stress.
  • Spore inoculation modulated the expression of stress-related genes such as APX, CAT, and P5CS, with strong induction observed under heat stress and suppression under drought stress in most isolates.

Statistics:

  • 243 strains of spore-forming bacteria were isolated from the roots and rhizosphere soils of crops.
  • 62 isolates were selected for further analysis, with 45% identified as Bacillus, 31% as Priestia, and 24% as Paenibacillus.
  • 13 isolates were used for spore inoculation, resulting in improved shoot and root biomass under control and stress conditions.
  • Bacillus species showed 60% higher biofilm formation among the three genera.

Sources:

  • "Inoculation of wheat seeds with spore-forming bacteria as a novel approach to enhance growth under climate change-induced stress conditions." Scientific Reports, 2025;15(1):36232.
  • Safiullah Habibi, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
  • Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.