Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Tea Leaves (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) Enhanced Plant-Growth-Promoting Activity

Tea (Camellia sinensis var. assamica) is a traditional and economically important non-alcoholic beverage-producing plant grown in large plantations the northern region of Thailand has diverse community endophytic bacteria. In this study, total 70 bacterial isolates were isolated from healthy asymptomatic samples tea leaves five different gardens Chiang Mai, Thailand. Based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis, these taxonomically grouped into 11 genera, namely Bacillus, Curtobacterium, Enterobacter Microbacterium, Moraxella, Neobacillus, Priestia, Pseudarthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Sporosarcina, Staphylococcus. All evaluated for their potential to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophores, cellulolytic enzymes while having phosphate-solubilizing tannin tolerance capacity. Most endophytes belonged Bacillus genus exhibited multiple plant-growth-promoting abilities. could varied concentrations indole-related compounds, strain Curtobacterium citreum P-5.19 had highest production IAA at 367.59 µg/mL, followed by Pseudarthrobacter enclensis P-3.12 266.97 µg/mL. Seventy-eight percent (78%) solubilized inorganic phosphate, 77%, 65%, 52% positive extracellular proteases, cellulases, pectinases, respectively. Remarkably, 80% capable growth nutrient agar supplemented with 1% (w/v) tannic acid. C. P. selected evaluation promotion, it was found that both enhanced seed germination rate improved seedling parameters such as fresh and/or dry weight, root length, shoot lengths sunflower tomato seeds. The study be used bioformulation promotion advancing sustainable agricultural practices contributing decreased use chemical inputs. This first report an bacterium, enclensis, being sinensis.