Peribacillus frigoritolerans T7-IITJ, a potential biofertilizer, induces plant growth-promoting genes of Arabidopsis thaliana.

This article focuses on the isolation and characterization of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from the nutrient-poor rhizosphere soil of Thar desert plants, emphasizing the strain Peribacillus frigoritolerans T7-IITJ. The study demonstrates that T7-IITJ significantly enhances growth and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana and other arid-region plants by solubilizing phosphate, iron, and nitrate, producing auxin-like compounds and exopolysaccharides, and inhibiting fungal pathogens. Whole genome sequencing revealed genes related to nutrient acquisition, phytohormone biosynthesis, and antimicrobial metabolite production, while transcriptome analysis of inoculated plants showed upregulation of genes involved in photosynthesis, hormone signaling (auxin and jasmonate), nutrient uptake, and redox homeostasis, alongside downregulation of certain stress-responsive genes. These findings suggest that P. frigoritolerans T7-IITJ is a promising biofertilizer and biocontrol agent for sustainable agriculture in arid environments, though field validation and ecological impact assessments are recommended.