Isolation and identification of plant growth-promoting bacteria from rhizomes of Arachnitis uniflora, a fully mycoheterotrophic plant in southern Chile

Fully mycoheterotrophic plants have attracted attention due to their ability to obtain carbon and mineral nutrients directly from fungal hyphae. However, research on bacteria associated with full mycoheterotrophs is limited. This study identifies rhizosferic and endophytic bacteria associated with A. uniflora rhizomes and analyzes their ability to produce microbial metabolites of various functions. Eight bacterial OTUs were revealed, and their potential roles in plant-growth promotion and antimicrobial activities were demonstrated. These findings suggest that root-system associated bacteria can be considered as essential microorganisms for growth and development of fully mycoheterotrophic plants. •Bacteria associated with Arachnitis uniflora rhizomes were isolated and identified.•Eight bacterial OTUs were isolated from the rhizomes.•Plant growth promoter-metabolites and inhibition of fungal growth were detected.