Unraveling the plant growth-promoting potential of Bacillus safensis P1.5S through genome analysis

Plant growth-promoting bacteria have emerged as promising eco-friendly alternatives to traditional agricultural practices. These beneficial microbes promote plant growth through various mechanisms including nitrogen fixation, production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), salicylic acid (SA), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and antimicrobial secondary metabolites. In this study, we performed a genome-based characterization of bacterial strain P1.5S using bioinformatic tools to identify genes associated with plant growth promotion. The draft genome of strain P1.5S is 3,667,318 bp in size, assembled into 13 contigs. Taxonomic analysis confirmed the identity of the strain as Bacillus safensis (dDDH: 80.6%; ANI: 97.84%). Our in silico investigation revealed gene clusters related to nitrogen fixation (10 genes), as well as genes involved in the production of IAA (12 genes), SA (7 genes) and VOCs biosynthesis. Additionally, the genome encodes biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties such as lipopeptides, peptides and polyketides. The presence of genes related to siderophore and hydrolytic enzymes production highlights the strain’s potential for biocontrol. Moreover, genes associated with root colonization further support the plant-beneficial potential of this strain. Bacillus safensis P1.5S is a promising candidate for agricultural practices, but further greenhouse and field studies are necessary to validate its potential.