Molecular characterization of plant growth-promoting vermi-bacteria associated with Eisenia fetida gastrointestinal tract

Earthworms are highly productive invertebrates and play a vital role in organic farming and improving soil structure and function. The gastrointestinal tract of earthworms possessed agricultural important bacteria. So, the current research aimed was to examine, screen, and identify the plant growth promoting bacteria existing in the digestive tract of Eisenia fetida called plant growth promoting vermi-bacteria. The plant growth promoting traits such as siderophore, phytohormone, and hydrolytic enzymes production, and phosphate solubiliation were assessed. Eleven vermi-bacteria i.e. Bacillus mycoides, B. aryabhattai, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus hominis, B. subtilis, B. spizizenii, B. licheniformis, B. mojavensis, B. toyonensis, B. anthracis, B. cereus, B. thuringiensis, and B. paranthracis were isolated and identified based on microscopic studies, biochemical tests, ribotyping, and agricultural traits. All vermi-bacteria are Gram-positive rods except Staphylococcus hominis and produce different compounds such as siderophore, indole acetic acid, catalase, oxidase, proteases, amylases, and lipases. All vermi-bacteria also act as phosphate solubilizers. Therefore, all isolated vermi-bacteria could be used as potential microbial biofertilizers to enhance crops production in Pakistan.