Plant beneficial traits of endophytic bacteria associated with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.).

In this study, we used 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to describe the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and determined their plant-beneficial traits. The bacterial isolates from the roots of fennel belonged to four phyla: Firmicutes (BRN1 and BRN3), Proteobacteria (BRN5, BRN6, and BRN7), Gammaproteobacteria (BRN2), and Actinobacteria (BRN4). The bacterial isolates from the shoot of fennel represented the phyla Proteobacteria (BSN1, BSN2, BSN3, BSN5, BSN6, BSN7, and BSN8), Firmicutes (BSN4, BRN1, and BRN3), and Actinobacteria (BRN4). The bacterial species Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus aryabhattai, and Brevibacterium frigoritolerans were found both in the roots and shoots of fennel. The bacterial isolates were found to produce siderophores, HCN, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), as well as hydrolytic enzymes such as chitinase, protease, glucanase, and lipase. Seven bacterial isolates showed antagonistic activity against Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium solani, and Rhizoctonia. solani. Our findings show that medicinal plants with antibacterial activity may serve as a source for the selection of microorganisms that exhibit antagonistic activity against plant fungal infections and may be considered as a viable option for the management of fungal diseases. They can also serve as an active part of biopreparation, improving plant growth.

Evaluation of molecular typing methods for some scab-causing Streptomyces strains from Turkey.

This study was conducted for identifying phylogenetic relationships between 15 scab-causing Streptomyces species including S. bottropensis, S. europaeiscabiei, S. scabiei, S. stelliscabiei and, other 11 Streptomyces sp. All of the strains were originally isolated from symptomatic potatoes in Erzurum Province, The Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Some morphological and biochemical properties of the strains were defined in our former research. Then, 16 s rRNA regions of them were sequenced. After the sequence data assembly, phylogenetic analyzes were performed. The phylogenetic analyses revealed that the strains are involved in the same major group and, substantially similar to reference strains. Additionally, some subgroup formations were also recorded. Moreover, Repetitive element-based PCR (Rep-PCR), Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR), and BOX-PCR fingerprinting molecular typing methods were used for as molecular typing methods. According to our knowledge, this is the first report on phylogenetic relationships of scab-causing Streptomyces species from Turkey. However, the identification of most pathogenic strains remained at the species level.

In Vitro Genotoxic and Antigenotoxic Effects of Ten Novel Synthesized 4-Thiazolidinone Derivatives.

Heterocyclic compounds are found in a variety of drug molecules, and bioactive natural products. 4-Thiazolidinones (4-TZDs), which represent an important class of heterocyclic compounds, are of great interest today with their diverse bioactivities. In this study, ten novel 4-TZD derivatives (C1-C10) were synthesized, characterized by spectroscopic techniques, and their genotoxic, and antigenotoxic properties were investigated in vitro using the Ames Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay in the concentration range of 0.2-1.0 mM/plate. The results revealed that none of the compounds were mutagenic on the three different Salmonella typhimurium strains up to the highest concentration tested. Furthermore, in our study, C1, C4, C6, and C9 showed significant, ranging from moderate to strong, antigenotoxic effects against mutagen-induced DNA damage at relatively higher doses. Among these, C4 had the best potential to inhibit the number of revertant colonies induced by 9-aminoacridine (9-AA), with a maximum inhibition rate of 47.9 % for 1.0 mM/plate. As a result, preliminary knowledge about the safety of the use of ten novel synthesized 4-TZD compounds likely to exhibit many bioactivities was obtained in this study. In addition, the significant in vitro antimutagenic activity of some derivatives increases the importance of studies for the development of new pharmacological agents for cancer prevention.

Determination of toxicity and radioprotective properties of bacterial and fungal eumelanin pigments.

PURPOSE: Determination of the protective property of melanin, an organic polymer class consisting of phenolic and/or indolic compounds isolated from bacteria and fungi, against fast neutron radiation. To show that these melanin samples, which also have antioxidant and metal chelating properties, can be used as an active ingredient for a drug to be developed against neutrons used in nuclear research and medicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bacterial and fungal media were prepared, and melanin pigments were produced and isolated. For molecular characterization of pigments, bacterial genomic DNA extraction, 16S rDNA gene amplification processes, and fungal genomic DNA extraction, ITS1, and ITS4 Gene Regions amplification were performed. The DEL assay was implemented to determine the genotoxicity properties of bacterial and fungal melanin pigments. Samples were prepared in a pad measuring 10 ml volume (60 × 15 mm) at a concentration of 0.2-1 microgram in 1% agarose gel for radiation-absorbed dose measurements. Absorption measurements were made using 241Am-Be fast neutron source and Canberra brand NP series BF3 gaseous detector to determine the neutron radiation absorption capacity of all samples. The results obtained to determine the absorption degrees of melanin samples were compared with paraffin and normal concrete, which are widely used in neutron radiation shielding studies. RESULTS: Melanin pigments were obtained using different bacteria and fungi strains. Afterwards, the fast neutron radiation absorption capacity of these purified pigments were determined. Compared to reference samples, these pigments were found to have slightly lower radiation absorbing ability. In addition to these experiments, cytotoxicity tests were carried out using the Yeast DEL assay technique to evaluate the potential for use of these organic pigments in fields such as medicine and pharmacology. According to the results obtained from the tests, it was determined that these melanin samples did not have any toxic effects. CONCLUSION: It was determined that these melanin samples have the potential to be used as a radioprotective drug active substance to protect the tissues and cells of people exposed to neutron radiation after a nuclear accident or nuclear war.Giving a drug that will be developed by using these active ingredients before or after people are exposed to a radiation environment can provide great benefits.

Investigation of radiation protective features of azadispiro derivatives and their genotoxic potential with Ames/Salmonella test system.

PURPOSE: Five different types of synthesized azadispiro derivatives have been analyzed for radiation absorption capacity and determined their potential to be exploited as substances for a drug to be developed against radiation has been investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fast neutron attenuation parameters like the effective mean free path, half-value layer (HVL), removal cross-sections, and neutron transmission number were found with the Monte Carlo simulation Geometry And Tracking (GEANT4) code. Gamma radiation absorption parameters, such as effective atom number (Zeff), mean free path (MFP), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), and half-value layer (HVL) were theoretically determined with WinXCom software. Besides, the exposure build-up factor (EBF) was calculated by using GP fitting parameters. Neutron absorption dose rate was experimentally calculated with 241Am-Be fast neutron source which has 4.5 MeV of energy, 74 GBq activity, and portative BF3 neutron detector. Ames/Salmonella test systems were used for the genotoxic potentials of the azadispiro derivatives. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Experimental and theoretical results were checked with paraffin and High-Density Polyethylene. The results showed that Azadispiro derivatives have neutron radiation absorption capability close to paraffin and High-Density Polyethylene. The gamma radiation absorption properties for azadispiro derivatives have been investigated, and it has been observed that these materials can absorb gamma radiation. Ames/Salmonella assay was used to examine whether the derivatives had a genotoxic effect probability or not. The results showed that these derivatives were genotoxic and safe at test doses (up to 5 mM). Consequently, it has been understood that these azadispiro derivatives can be used as active and genotoxic safety ingredients in the production of a protective drug against both neutrons and gamma rays.

Biochar Amendments Improve Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) Growth and Nutrient Uptake under Salt Stress.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) is a salt and drought tolerant legume suitable for rehabilitating abandoned saline lands, especially in dry arid regions. We hypothesized that soil amended with maize-derived biochar might alleviate salt stress in licorice by improving its growth, nutrient acquisition, and root system adaptation. Experiments were designed to determine the effect of different biochar concentrations on licorice growth parameters, acquisition of C (carbon), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) and on soil enzyme activities under saline and non-saline soil conditions. Pyrolysis char from maize (600 °C) was used at concentrations of 2% (B2), 4% (B4), and 6% (B6) for pot experiments. After 40 days, biochar improved the shoot and root biomass of licorice by 80 and 41% under saline soil conditions. However, B4 and B6 did not have a significant effect on shoot growth. Furthermore, increased nodule numbers of licorice grown at B4 amendment were observed under both non-saline and saline conditions. The root architectural traits, such as root length, surface area, project area, root volume, and nodulation traits, also significantly increased by biochar application at both B2 and B4. The concentrations of N and K in plant tissue increased under B2 and B4 amendments compared to the plants grown without biochar application. Moreover, the soil under saline conditions amended with biochar showed a positive effect on the activities of soil fluorescein diacetate hydrolase, proteases, and acid phosphomonoesterases. Overall, this study demonstrated the beneficial effects of maize-derived biochar on growth and nutrient uptake of licorice under saline soil conditions by improving nodule formation and root architecture, as well as soil enzyme activity.

Diversity and biological activity of culturable endophytic bacteria associated with marigold (Calendula officinalis L.).

Endophytes colonizing plant tissue play an essential role in plant growth, development, stress tolerance and plant protection from soil-borne diseases. In this study, we report the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) by using 16S rRNA gene analysis and their plant beneficial properties. A total of 42 bacterial isolates were obtained from plant tissues of marigold. They belonged to the genera Pantoea, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Xanthomonas, Rathayibacter, Agrobacterium, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Beijerinckia. Among the bacterial strains, P. kilonensis FRT12, and P. rhizosphaerae FST5 showed moderate or vigorous inhibition against three tested plant pathogenic fungi, F. culmorum, F. solani and R. solani. They also demonstrated the capability to produce hydrolytic enzymes and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Five out of 16 isolates significantly stimulated shoot and root growth of marigold in a pot experiment. The present study reveals that more than half of the bacterial isolates associated with marigold (C. officinalis L.) provided antifungal activity against one or more plant pathogenic fungi. Our findings suggest that medicinal plants with antimicrobial activity could be a source for selecting microbes with antagonistic activity against fungal plant pathogens or with plant growth stimulating potential. These isolates might be considered as promising candidates for the improvement of plant health.

Diversity and Plant Growth-Promoting Ability of Endophytic, Halotolerant Bacteria Associated with Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) Kuntze.

The diversity of salt-tolerant cultivable endophytic bacteria associated with the halophyte New Zealand spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides (Pall.) Kuntze) was studied, and their plant beneficial properties were evaluated. The bacteria isolated from leaves and roots belonged to Agrobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Brevibacterium, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces, Pseudarthrobacter, Raoultella, Curtobacterium, and Pantoea. Isolates exhibited plant growth-promoting traits, including the production of a phytohormone (indole 3-acetic-acid), cell wall degrading enzymes, and hydrogen cyanide production. Furthermore, antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungi Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, and Verticillium dahliae was detected. Ten out of twenty bacterial isolates were able to synthesize ACC deaminase, which plays a vital role in decreasing ethylene levels in plants. Regardless of the origin of isolated bacteria, root or leaf tissue, they stimulated plant root and shoot growth under 200 mM NaCl conditions. Our study suggests that halophytes such as New Zealand spinach are a promising source for isolating halotolerant plant-beneficial bacteria, which can be considered as potentially efficient biofertilizers in the bioremediation of salt-affected soils.

Investigation of neutron and gamma radiation protective characteristics of synthesized quinoline derivatives.

PURPOSE: Quinoline is formed by various natural compounds, such as alkaloids from the cinchona plant, which exhibit various biological activities, and is an important building material for the development of new drugs. Quinoline can be used in anti-radiation drug development but radiation interaction properties must be determined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, six types of synthesized quinoline derivatives were used. Fast neutron removal cross-section, mean free path, half value layer and transmission number were theoretically determined by using GEometry ANd Tracking 4 and FLUktuierende KAskade simulation codes for neutron shielding. Neutron dose absorption rates were determined using the 241Am-Be fast neutron source and the Canberra NP series portable BF3 gas proportional neutron detector. Gamma radiation shielding parameters were determined by using WinXCom and PSY-X/PSD software. Additionally, the genotoxic potentials of the derivatives were assessed by using the Ames/Salmonella bacterial reversion assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Neutron shielding parameters such as removal cross-section, mean free path, half value layer and transmission number were theoretically determined for fast neutrons. To determine neutron absorption capacity of quinoline derivatives, neutron absorption, experiments were conducted. In addition, gamma radiation shielding parameters were calculated such as the mean free path (MFP), mass attenuation coefficient (µt), half value thickness layer (HVL) and effective atomic number (Zeff) in the energy range of 0.015-15 MeV. The results of the all quinoline derivatives have excellent fast neutron shielding power compared to ordinary concrete. In addition, all quinoline derivatives have been found to have the capacity to attenuate gamma radiation. Moreover, they absorb well in both types of radiation, do not cause secondary radiation, and they are genotoxically safe at the tested concentrations. This study has demonstrated that these products can be used as active ingredients for a drug to be developed against radiation.

Integration of molecular tools in microbial phosphate solubilization research in agriculture perspective.

Phosphorus (P) is the second most crucial nutrient for plant growth after nitrogen. However, its highly reactive nature causes formation of insoluble derivatives and limits uptake by the plant roots. The wide spread applications of P based chemical fertilizers cause detrimental effects on soil fertility, agricultural product quality and environment. In this regard, phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) stand out as the most remarkable and promising tools for the development of safer and sustainable technologies. As a result of this, many bacterial and fungal species with significant phosphate-solubilizing activity have been discovered by using the conventional screening methods. However, the growing need for the discovery of new strains of PSMs necessitates the replacement or support to the time-consuming conventional methods with techniques that are more sensitive, reliable, reproducible and less time consuming. In this context, molecular tools and techniques provide novel approaches for microbial phosphate solubilization research. Hence, in this review information on the molecular approaches for the PSMs research is provided and its importance explained. The review also discusses the genes related to phosphate solubilizing mechanisms and molecular tools for screening these genes.

The Effect of Biochars and Endophytic Bacteria on Growth and Root Rot Disease Incidence of Fusarium Infested Narrow-Leafed Lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.).

The effects of biochar on plant growth vary depending on the applied biochar type, study site environmental conditions, microbial species, and plant-microbial interactions. The objectives of the present study were therefore to assess 1) the response of growth parameters of lupin and root disease incidence to the application of three biochar types in a loamy sandy soil, and 2) the role of endophytic bacteria in biological control of root rot disease incidence in lupin after the amendment of soil with different biochar types. As biochar types we tested (i) hydrochar (HTC) from maize silage, (ii) pyrolysis char from maize (MBC), and (iii) pyrolysis char from wood (WBC) at three different concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3% of char as soil amendments). There were no significant effects in lupin shoot and root growth in soils amended with WBC at any of the concentrations. MBC did not affect plant growth except for root dry weight at 2% MBC. HTC char at 2% concentration, significantly increased the root dry weight of lupin by 54-75%, and shoot dry weight by 21-25%. Lupin plants grown in soil amended with 2% and 3% WBC and MBC chars showed 40-50% and 10-20% disease symptoms, respectively. Plants grown in soil without biochar and with HTC char were healthy, and no disease incidence occurred. Pseudomonas putida L2 and Stenotrophomonas pavanii L8 isolates demonstrated a disease reduction compared to un-inoculated plants under MBC and WBC amended soil that was infested with Fusarium solani.

Rapid Detection of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria from Agricultural Areas in Erzurum.

In this study, the newly designed pqq gene-specific primer sets were used for determination of phosphate-solubilizing capabilities of bacterial isolates from the agricultural regions of Erzurum. The specificity of newly designed primer sets (PqqA2F/PqqA2R, Pqq5F/Pqq5R, PqqF2/PqqF2R) were tested against ten isolates, whose phosphate-solubilizing activities were initially proved by the conventional methods. Non-phosphate-solubilizing bacteria were also chosen as negative control. According to the results, five of ten phosphate-solubilizing bacteria with PqqA2F/PqqA2R, two of ten phosphate-solubilizing bacteria with Pqq5F/Pqq5R primer set, and one of ten phosphate solubilizing with PqqF2F/PqqF2R bacteria were successfully amplificated in the PCR assay and none of the non-phosphate-solubilizing bacteria was amplificated. Then, the molecular characterization of the active phosphate-solubilizing strains was done based on the partial 16S ribosomal RNA gene region sequence analysis method. Two isolates of Enterobacter sp., 1 Rhizobium sp., 1 Enterococcus sp., 1 Bacillus cereus, 1 Bacillus atrophaeus, 1 Bacillus aryabhattai, 1 Acinetobacter sp., 1 Pseudomonas japonica, and 1 Enterobacter cloacae were identified as active phosphate-solubilizing strains. Consequently, the results showed that this specific primer sets could be used as an economic, rapid, and useful tool for the detection of phosphate-solubilizing strains in the agricultural researches.