Characterization of an Endophytic Antagonistic Bacterial Strain Bacillus halotolerans LBG-1-13 with Multiple Plant Growth-Promoting Traits, Stress Tolerance, and Its Effects on Lily Growth

Microbial inoculants are an important tool for increasing arable land productivity and decreasing mineral fertilizer application. This study was aimed at isolating and identifying endophytic antagonistic bacteria from lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) roots grown in Northwestern China and at evaluating their antifungal activity and plant growth-promoting characteristics. For this purpose, endophytic bacteria were isolated from plant roots, and plant growth-promoting strains were identified. One bacterial strain, isolated from the root part, was identified as Bacillus halotolerans based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and was designated as LBG-1-13. The strain showed antagonistic activities against important plant pathogens of lily including Botrytis cinerea, Botryosphaeria dothidea, and Fusarium oxysporum. The highest percentage of growth inhibition, i.e., 71.65 ± 2.39%, was observed for LBG-1-13 against Botryosphaeria dothidea followed by 68.33 ± 4.70% and 48.22 ± 4.11% against Botrytis cinerea and Fusarium oxysporum, respectively. Meanwhile, the isolated strain also showed plant growth-promoting traits such as the production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), siderophore, ACC deaminase, and phosphate solubilization activity. The strain showed ACC deaminase activity and was able to cleave 58.41 ± 2.62 nmol α-ketobutyrate (mg protein)(−1) min(−1). The strain exhibited tolerance to salt and drought stress in an in vitro experiment. The strain LBG-1-13 was able to grow in the presence of 10% NaCl and 20% polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the growth medium. Inoculation of Lilium varieties, Tresor and Bright Diamond, with LBG-1-13 enhanced plant growth under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. All these results demonstrated that Bacillus halotolerans LBG-1-13 could be utilized as a good candidate in the biocontrol of lily disease and plant growth promotion in sustainable agriculture.