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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Early Access

Endophytic bacteria from Lantana camara and their effects on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) germination and growth

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.8165
Submitted
10 March 2025
Published
23-07-2025
Versions

Abstract

Invasive weeds represent a promising but underexplored reservoir of beneficial endophytes. In this study, root-associated bacterial endophytes were isolated from Lantana camara, an aggressive invasive weed collected from a farm in Surat, South Gujarat, India. A total of 12 isolates were obtained and evaluated for key plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including phosphate and potassium solubilization, growth on nitrogen-free medium, siderophore and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production. Based on in vitro screening, selected isolates were assessed for their bioinoculant potential in Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Pant Grain Cowpea-14 (PGCP-14) under controlled conditions. Treatments included endophyte-inoculated seeds, uninoculated controls and seeds treated with either chemical fertilizer (CF) or farmyard manure (FYM). Among the isolates, strains LCR5 and LCR7 showed significantly enhanced germination (100 %) and superior performance across multiple growth parameters, including seedling vigor index, root and shoot length, plant height and biomass accumulation. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed LCR5 as Paenibacillus graminis (GenBank accession no. QR554129) and LCR7 as Bacillus safensis (GenBank accession no. OQ619180). The findings highlight the biofertilizer potential of these endophytic strains in promoting the growth of cowpea, a key leguminous crop cultivated in the Surat region.

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