Putative Endophytic Bacteria from Nicandra physalodes (Linn.) Gaertn. Promote the Growth of Solanum lycopersicum

Valdez-Nuñez R.A.; Andrés-Blas J.A.; Flores-Morales J.M.; Ortiz-Bedon Y.O.; Guarniz-Polo S.G.; Contreras-Liza S.E.; Chucchu-Rumualdo O.J. · Agricultural Research (2026) · DOI: 10.1007/s40003-026-01050-x

Resumen

Modern agriculture requires innovative approaches, and bioprospecting microbial resources from native plants offers a promising strategy for application in cultivated crops. The biotechnological potential of putative endophytic bacteria associated with the roots of Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn. “Capulí cimarrón” in Solanum lycopersicum cv. Rio Grande under controlled conditions was evaluated. Fourteen bacterial strains were isolated from surface-disinfested roots, and plant responses were assessed at 5 days (14 strains), 15 days (4 strains), and 30 days (4 strains in a consortium) under gnotobiotic conditions. Functional traits including auxin production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and molecular identification based on 16S rRNA were analyzed. Strains Np2.1, Np2.2, Np2.3, and Np9.1 significantly increased the vigor index (> 5000) compared with the control strain Bacillus siamensis SMBR13-04. The consortium Np2.1 + Np2.3 + Np9.1 enhanced plant height, branch number, stem diameter, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight by 34.68%, 50.0%, 78.15%, 147.09%, and 137.47%, respectively, relative to non-inoculated plants. Taxonomic identification revealed Cytobacillus solani (Np2.1 and Np2.3), Neobacillus niacini (Np2.2), and Bacillus sp. (Np9.1), all exhibiting auxin production, phosphate solubilization and siderophore synthesis. These findings demonstrate that N. physalodes represents a valuable source of endophytic bacteria with potential for the development of consortium-based inoculants to improve tomato growth seedling growth. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to National Academy of Agricultural Sciences 2026.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Barranca; Universidad Nacional José Faustino Sánchez Carrión