Plant growth promoting properties of Methylobacterium brachiatum B0021^T and its influence on the growth and short-term thermal stress resistance of Lactuca sativa L

Abstract The paper describes the investigation of the effect of inoculation by Methylobacterium brachiatum B0021T on both the growth lettuce plants and their resistance to short-term thermal stress which was made for the first time. The ability of strain B0021T to synthesize indole derivatives, siderophores, to solubilize insoluble phosphates was revealed. It was shown that inoculation of lettuce plants by strain B0021T improved of shoot growth and development, formation of the root system. It had a positive effect on the work of the photosynthetic apparatus, and also increased resistance to short-term temperature stress in vegetation experiments. The obtained results indicate the potential of using the studied strain to improve the yield of agricultural crops, as well as to protect plants from unfavorable environmental conditions.