In Vitro antagonistic and biodegradation activity of a newly isolated Delftia tsuruhatensis from rice plant in Iran

Rice (Oryza sativae), amongst other cereal products such as wheat, is a key ingredient in average Iranian’s diet. It is cultivated in flooding wetlands in several parts of Iran, with majority of production in Northern provinces Guilan, Mazandaran and Golestan Non-pathogenic bacteria isolated from rice plants of paddy fields of northern Iran were identified through biochemical assays and phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA as Delftia tsuruhatensis. This specific strain displays terephthalate-assimilating bacteria with possible biodegradation remedy for hazardous waste treatment. Its biocontrol effect on rice pathogens Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (cause of sheath brown rot and grain and sheath discoloration on rice) and Magnoporthe grisea (cause of rice blast) showed positive results, implementing plant growth-promoting properties and potential biofertilizer for the enhancement of rice growth. This is the first case report of D. tsuruhatensis in Iran. It will be worthwhile to consider the substitution of chemical fertilizers with biological counterparts such as PGPB found in this study for a healthier and less polluted environment; not to mention their potential application as bioremediation solution in the already polluted environments.