Unraveling the heavy metal resistance and biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas sp. K32 strain facilitating rice seedling growth under Cd stress

Heavy metal and metalloid toxicity in agricultural land needs special attention for crop production essential to feed increasing population globally. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are native biological agents that have tremendous potential to augment crop production in contaminated fields. This study involves selection and identification (through 16S rRNA gene sequence and FAME analysis) of a potent Pseudomonas sp. (strain K32) isolated from a metal-contaminated rice rhizosphere, aimed to its application for sustainable agriculture. Apart from multi-heavy metal(loid) resistance (Cd2+, Pb2+ and As3+ upto 4000, 3800, 3700 μg/ml respectively) along with remarkable Cd bioaccumulation potential (∼90%), this strain showed IAA production, nitrogen-fixation and phosphate solubilization under Cd stress. This bioaccumulation efficiency coupled with PGP traits resulted in the significant enhancement of rice seedling growth under Cd stress. This positive impact of K32 strain was clearly manifested in morphological and biochemical improvements under Cd stress including successful root colonization with rice roots. Cd uptake was also reduced significantly in seedlings in presence of K32 strain. Together with all mentioned properties, K32 showed bio-control potential against plant pathogenic fungi viz. Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus parasiticus, Paecilomyces sp., Cladosporium herbarum, Rhizopus stolonifer and Alternaria alternata which establish K32 strain a key player in effective bioremediation of agricultural fields. Biocontrol potential was found to be the result of enzymatic activities viz. chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and protease which were estimated as 8.17 ± 0.44, 4.38 ± 0.35 and 7.72 ± 0.28 U/mg protein respectively. [Display omitted] •Heavy metal resistant Pseudomonas sp. K32 displayed plant growth promoting traits.•K32 strain could resist Cd2+ (4000 μg/ml), Pb2+ (3800 μg/ml) and As3+ (3700 μg/ml).•Strain K32 inhibited the growth of six phytopathogens and showed chitinase, β-1, 3-glucanase and protease activities.•Significant improvement of rice seedling growth under Cd2+ stress by K32 strain.•Cd-uptake was reduced in 10-days old rice seedlings in presence of K32 strain.