<b>Identification and functional analysis of endophytic bacteria Bacillus cereus in Sphagnum palustre +original data</b>

Endophytic bacteria in <i>S. palustre</i> have a growth-promoting effect on plants. In this study, the endophytic bacterium strain J11 in <i>S. palustre</i> was isolated and identified as <i>Bacillus cereus</i>, and its growth cycle, functional characteristics and effects on maize growth were analyzed. The results indicate that as <i>B. cereus, </i>the growth cycle of J11 consists four phases, andthe logarithmic phase lasts 2~24 hours, with the abilities of phosphorus solubilization, nitrogen fixation, IAA, protease, siderophore, and NH₃ production. The phosphorus solubilization ability of J11 ranges from 1.66±0.07 to 1.98±0.07 mg/L, and the IAA production varies from 1.51±0.07 to 8.67±0.16 mg/L. It has a growth-promoting effect on maize by increasing seed germination rate by 29.27%, plant height by 4.21%, leaf length by 17.12%, leaf width by 29.51%, above-ground fresh weight by 50.79%, below-ground fresh weight by 46.30%, and chlorophyll content by 56.81%. This study is the first to isolate and identify Bacillus cereus from <i>S. palustre</i> and explore its various potential growth-promoting functions and characteristics, providing materials and theoretical foundations for developing<i>B. cereus</i> as a biofertilizer.