Isolation of Endophytic Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Chinese Cymbidium (Cymbidium spp.) Orchid Roots

This study aims to identify and evaluate the phosphate-solubilizing ability of endophytic bacteria isolated from roots of Chinese <i>Cymbidium</i> and to assess their impact on phosphorus uptake and plant growth. Thirty strains of endophytic bacteria were isolated from six orchid varieties. Molecular identification based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the most frequently isolated strains belonged to the genera <i>Pseudomonas</i> and <i>Burkholderia</i>. Among them, 10 bacterial strains exhibited the capacity to solubilize inorganic and organic phosphorus. Two strains, designated X1 (<i>Paraburkholderia</i> sp. Beta-32) and X13 (<i>Rhizobium freirei</i> PRF81 (X13), were identified as the most effective phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Gluconic acid was the dominant organic acid secreted, driving inorganic phosphorus solubilization, while alkaline phosphatase activities facilitated organic phosphorus mineralization. Inoculation with phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) resulted in increased plant growth and phosphorus content in both leaves and roots as compared to the control plants. PSB treatments also increased available phosphorus content in soil, reduced total phosphorus content, and increased exopolysaccharide and alkaline phosphatase activities. Real-time q-PCR analysis showed that PSB inoculation significantly upregulated the expression of phosphorus transport-related genes, including <i>PDR2</i>, <i>PHF1</i>, <i>PHR1</i>, <i>PHT1;9</i>, and <i>PHT4;4</i>, thereby enhancing phosphorus absorption. Moreover, strains X1 and X13 not only exhibited strong phosphate-solubilizing capacity but also demonstrated stable colonization in both roots and root rhizosphere soil of orchids over extended periods. In conclusion, the endophytic PSB identified with phosphate-solubilizing abilities increased phosphorus availability and its uptake in Chinese <i>Cymbidium</i>, thereby promoting plant growth and development. This is the first attempt to characterize endophytic PSB from roots of Chinese <i>Cymbidium</i> orchids. These findings provide a basis for selection of PSB that are efficient in P uptake for application in microbial fertilizers for orchid cultivation.