Genomic insight of phosphate solubilization and plant growth promotion of two taxonomically distinct winter crops by Enterobacter sp. DRP3.

This article focuses on the characterization of phosphate solubilizing plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolated from the rhizosphere of the pteridophyte Dicranopteris sp. in nutrient-poor lateritic soils of West Bengal, India. Among three isolated strains, Enterobacter sp. DRP3 exhibited the highest phosphate solubilization potential, producing significant amounts of soluble phosphate from tricalcium phosphate and rock phosphates, linked to the upregulation of the pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ)-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (gdh) gene. The study also demonstrated DRP3’s abilities in biofilm formation, indole acetic acid production, potassium solubilization, and effective root colonization of two taxonomically distinct crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum), supported by genomic evidence of quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms. These findings highlight DRP3’s potential as a bio-inoculant for sustainable agriculture, particularly in improving crop growth and soil health in phosphate-deficient environments.