Isolation and characterization of a plant growth promoting bacterium Burkholderia cenocepacia CE2

Abstract

The search for efficient plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has become increasingly important in the pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices. In this study, a novel bacterial strain, Burkholderia cenocepacia CE2, was isolated from the rhizospheric soil of a healthy crop field and characterized for its potential plant growth-promoting attributes. The isolate was identified based on morphological characteristics, biochemical profiling, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, which confirmed its identity as B. cenocepacia. The strain exhibited multiple PGP traits including phosphate solubilization and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, all of which are critical for enhancing plant nutrient uptake, root development, and stress tolerance. In addition to its growth-promoting capabilities, B. cenocepacia CE2 showed significant antagonistic activity against common soil-borne phytopathogens, indicating its biocontrol potential. Pot experiments further validated its effectiveness, showing enhanced seed germination, root and shoot elongation, and overall plant vigor in treated plants compared to controls. These findings suggest that the strain not only supports plant growth but also plays a protective role in the rhizosphere. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on beneficial rhizobacteria and highlights B. cenocepacia CE2 as a promising bioinoculant candidate for sustainable crop production.