Plant Growth-Promoting Bacterium from Non-Agricultural Soil Improves Okra Plant Growth

Beneficial soil microorganisms influence nutrient recycling, fertility, plant growth, and productivity reduce chemical fertilizer application. This study aimed to isolate bacteria from non-agricultural soils in the Al-Ahsa region characterize with best biostimulating characteristics at physiological, biochemical, molecular level. DPM17, a bacterial isolate, promotes growth through phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, ammonia production. DPM17 also produces phytohormones, indole acetic acid (IAA; 4.516 ?g mL?1) gibberellin (1.33 µg mL?1), (0.06 mL?1). Additionally, grows presence of up 10% NaCl, indicating its halophilic nature. was identified as Bacillus baekryungensis based on comparative sequence analysis 16S rRNA gene, neighbor-joining phylogenetic analyses indicated that 96.51% sp. inoculation substantially improved Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) root length, lateral count, dry weight 7.03 9.41 (p = 0.03), 3.2 7.2, 6 13 mg 0.032), respectively. The results suggest enhances can be exploited develop efficient formulations for sustainable agriculture food security Saudi Arabia.