Flavobacterium genome sequencing. Flavobacterium pokkalii strain:L1I52

Most of the beneficial plant-microbe interaction studies were focused majorly on the two genus, pseudomonas and bacillus despite to the fact that plant rhizosphere colonized by diverse bacterial taxa whose beneficial interactions still largely unexplored. To fill this gap, direct In-planta growth studies were performed with bacterial strains belonging to different taxa isolated from saline tolerant pokkali rice variety (VTL-8), Kerala, India. During this study, it was observed that a strain L1I52T consistently influenced the root growth of pokkali rice (VTL-2) when compared to uninoculated. 16S rRNA analysis placed the isolate L1I52T within the genus Flavobacterium however detailed polyphasic taxonomic approach comparing with its closest type strains indicated that this strain belongs to a novel Flavobacterium species. The novel isolate L1I52T showed negative for various phytobeneficial properties in plate assays despite it promoted good root growth under pot studies. It utilized various sugars and amino acids which are part of plant root exudates indicating its rhizosphere lifestyle and this was validated by seed and root attachment assays. The frequent intrusion of sea water into pokkali rice fields made us to check the effect of salinity on the root attachment and results indicated that this novel isolate strictly requires saline for its root attachment but no root attachment was found during non-saline condition. Additionally it can sustain as planktonic cells under sea water representing its eco-adaption. In conclusion, this is the first direct evidence reporting eco-adaption, rhizosphere lifestyle and plant growth promotion of a novel Flavobacterium strain from saline-tolerant pokkali rice.