Genomic Exploration of Enterobacter Hormaechei Oyas29: a Potential Ally for Sustainable Plant Growth

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> There is insufficient information showing that <italic>Enterobacter</italic>species that promote plant development are important for improving plants' vegetative growth. <italic>Enterobacter hormaechei</italic>, in contrast to <italic>Enterobacter cloacae</italic>, has received little research attention while having enormous promise for promoting plant development. This study conducts a thorough genomic exploration of <italic>Enterobacter hormaechei OYAS29</italic>, a potential plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) isolated from an undisturbed and uncontaminated farmland at the Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Through the application of cutting-edge sequencing technologies and bioinformatics evaluations, we decipher <italic>Enterobacter hormaechei OYAS29’s</italic> genomic characteristics, highlighting its genetic makeup that promotes sustainable plant growth. Given its pristine environmental origin and distinct genomic makeup, the genome, classified under superkingdom Bacteria with genetic code 11, comprises two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, 71 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and 4,083 protein-coding sequences (CDS). Functional annotation revealed 3,657 proteins with assigned functions and 426 hypothetical proteins. Key genes involved in indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and tryptophan biosynthesis (e.g., <italic>trpABCFDRS, Ipdc, patB/malY, trps,</italic> and <italic>mtr</italic>) were identified. Additionally, the phosphate-specific transporter (<italic>pstABCS</italic>) gene cluster highlights the strain's potential for phosphate acquisition, essential for plant growth enhancement. <italic>Enterobacter hormaechei OYAS29</italic> is a promising ally for ecologically friendly and successful plant growth promotion in agricultural contexts. This study advances sustainable agriculture techniques that are adapted to regional ecosystems and contribute to the increasing body of knowledge on indigenous PGPRs.