Comprehensive Genome Analysis on the Novel Species Sphingomonas panacis DCY99(T) Reveals Insights into Iron Tolerance of Ginseng

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria play vital roles not only in plant growth, but also in reducing biotic/abiotic stress. Sphingomonas panacis DCY99(T) is isolated from soil and root of Panax ginseng with rusty root disease, characterized by raised reddish-brown root and this is seriously affects ginseng cultivation. To investigate the relationship between 159 sequenced Sphingomonas strains, pan-genome analysis was carried out, which suggested genomic diversity of the Sphingomonas genus. Comparative analysis of S. panacis DCY99(T) with Sphingomonas sp. LK11 revealed plant growth-promoting potential of S. panacis DCY99(T) through indole acetic acid production, phosphate solubilizing, and antifungal abilities. Detailed genomic analysis has shown that S. panacis DCY99(T) contain various heavy metals resistance genes in its genome and the plasmid. Functional analysis with Sphingomonas paucimobilis EPA505 predicted that S. panacis DCY99(T) possess genes for degradation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon and phenolic compounds in rusty-ginseng root. Interestingly, when primed ginseng with S. panacis DCY99(T) during high concentration of iron exposure, iron stress of ginseng was suppressed. In order to detect S. panacis DCY99(T) in soil, biomarker was designed using spt gene. This study brings new insights into the role of S. panacis DCY99(T) as a microbial inoculant to protect ginseng plants against rusty root disease.