Isolation, Characterization, and Agricultural Potentialities of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria Associated with Wild Argania spinosa L. Skeels from Algerian Sahara

The plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) community plays an important role in the plant’s cycle life. However, their screening in wild plants growing in hostile Saharan regions is limited. Therefore, this investigation is undertaken to characterize the PGPR associated with Argania spinosa L. Skeels grow¬ing in the Tindouf region located in the Algerian Sahara. Rhizospheric soil was used to obtain bacterial iso¬lates. PGPR species were selected based on biochemical PGP traits and identified through morphological and 16S rRNA sequencing. A total of 38 isolates were obtained from the argan rhizosphere, seven of which have the ability to produce indole-3- acetic acid and ammonia; whereas five strains demonstrated the ca¬pacity to synthesize hydrogen cyanide. All the strains marked with PGP traits were identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis with high boost values ranging from 98.44 to 100%. The bio-inoculation assay revealed an appreciable capacity to promote the wheat growth characteristics with high variability between strains and wheat varieties. The Core and Colosseo varieties were the most responsive to the PGPR inoculation. The screening of the PGPR community associated with plants surviving in the Saharan environment holds promise for advancing our comprehension and developing solutions related to climate change challenges. This study opens new avenues for valorizing the beneficial effects of argan PGPR as a biofertilizer in wheat cultivation.