Characterization of phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads from the rhizosphere of Aloe vera (L.)

Soil phosphorous (P) deficiency is a major constraint to plant production which is overcome by adding inorganic-phosphate as chemical fertilizers. Fluorescent pseudomonads are the diverse group of bacteria able to mobilize sparingly soluble phosphate form. Total three hundred seven fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates were obtained from the Aloe barbadensis (Miller) rhizosphere. These Pseudomonas strains were further evaluated in vitro for their ability to solubilize phosphate and to produce indole acetic acid (IAA), hydrogen cyanide (HCN), siderophore and 1-aminocyclopropane 1- carboxylate (ACC) deaminase. Fifty three (36.8%) isolates produced IAA and 52 (36.1%) isolates produced siderophores whereas 36 (25.0%) and 31 (21.5%) isolates produced HCN and ACC deaminase, respectively. A positive correlation existed between siderophore and ACC deaminase producers. Cluster analysis showed rhizosphere as the major factor influencing the ecological distribution and physiological characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB). Based on partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing PSB were identified as Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas sp. and Pseudomonas plecoglossicida with highest phosphate solubilization ability. In conclusion, these phosphate solubilizing fluorescent pseudomonads would help in understanding their role in phosphorus solubilization and identification of potent phosphorus solubilizers from the rhizosphere of commercially grown A. barbadensis.     

Effects of two new siderophore-producing rhizobacteria on growth and iron content of maize and canola plants

Siderophore-producing rhizobacteria beneficially affect plant growth by providing available iron to plants. In this study, bacteria were isolated from the rhizosphere of canola (Brassica napus L.) plants grown in the central fields in Iran, for the presence of siderophore-producing bacteria. A total of 45 distinct isolates were found to produce siderophore using qualitative chrome azurol sulfonate (CAS)-agar assay. Of them, ten isolates, based on the highest halo diameter/colony diameter ratios, were selected to quantify the rate of siderophore production using CAS-liquid assay. A variety of biochemical assays was used to determine the type(s) of siderophores produced by each of the ten isolates. The best isolates, based on production of the highest rates of either hydroxamates or carboxylates, were identified and used in further studies. Based on 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequence analysis and a variety of phenotypic properties, the isolates were identified as Micrococcus yunnanensis YIM 65004 (T) and Stenotrophomonas chelatiphaga LPM-5 (T). We also studied the plant growth-promoting effect of the most promising isolates (YIM 65004 and LPM-5) on canola and maize plants under greenhouse conditions. The results of this study showed that M. yunnanensis and S. chelatiphaga increased gain weight and iron (Fe) content of roots and shoots significantly, in comparison with control, indicating beneficial effects of these rhizobacteria on plant growth and development. This study reports M. yunnanensis and S. chelatiphaga, as new records for Iran. The latter is reported for the first time from plant (canola) rhizosphere. Besides, the ability of both M. yunnanensis and S. chelatiphaga to produce siderophores is documented for the first time.     

Misidentification of soil bacteria by fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and BIOLOG analyses

 Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analysis is commonly used by soil scientists as a sole method for identifying soil bacteria. We observed discrepancies with this method for identifying certain species of bacteria. Therefore, we used carbon substrate oxidation patterns (BIOLOG) and some simple physical and chemical tests to determine the extent of these discrepancies. Identification with FAME profiles gave false positives for Arthrobacter globiformis, Micrococcus kristinae, and M. luteus, and identification with BIOLOG patterns gave a false positive identification for A. globiformis. A visual check and Gram stain are recommended when FAME analysis identifies soil isolates as M. kristinae or M. luteus, and an additional spore formation test is recommended when FAME and BIOLOG analyses identify isolates as A. globiformis. Received: 14 January 2000     

Halophile plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria induce salt tolerance traits in wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.)

Salinity is one of the most important growth-limiting factors for most crops in arid and semi-arid regions; however, the use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolated from saline soils could reduce the effects of saline stress in crops. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs), isolated from the rhizosphere of halophile plants, for the growth, Na⁺/K⁺ balance, ethylene emission, and gene expression of wheat seedlings (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under saline conditions (100 mmol L^-1 NaCl) for 14 d. A total of 118 isolates obtained from saline soils of the deserts of Iran were tested for their capacity as PGPRs. Out of the 118 isolates, 17 could solubilize phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂), 5 could produce siderophores, and 16 could synthesize indole-3-acetic acid. Additionally, PGPRs were also evaluated for aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the ability of 28 PGPR isolates to promote growth, regulate Na⁺/K⁺ balance, and decrease ethylene emissions in plants. The most efficient PGPRs were Arthrobacter aurescens, Bacillus atrophaeus, Enterobacter asburiae, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Gene expression analysis revealed the up-regulation of H⁺-PPase, HKT1, NHX7, CAT, and APX expression in roots of Enterobacter-inoculated salt-stressed plants. Salt-tolerant rhizobacteria exhibiting plant growth-promoting traits can facilitate the growth of wheat plants under saline conditions. Our results indicate that the isolation of these bacteria may be useful for formulating new inoculants to improve wheat cropping systems in saline soils.     

Selection for root colonising bacteria stimulating wheat growth in saline soils

High salinity of soils in arid and semi-arid regions results in desertification and decreased crop yield. One possibility to circumvent this problem is to use root colonising salt tolerant bacterial inoculants which can alleviate salt stress in plants. In the present work, the best five enhanced wheat root tip coloniser bacteria were selected from the rhizosphere of wheat grown in saline soil and were identified by the 16S rRNA gene sequence as Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas extremorientalis, Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Pseudomonas aurantiaca. The isolates tolerated salt of 5% NaCl and produced indole acetic acid under saline conditions. Four isolates proved to be very efficient in promoting a significant increase in the shoot, root and dry matter of wheat and were able to survive in saline soil. Four of the isolated strains appeared to be better competitive colonisers than reference strains and probably outcompeted with indigenous microorganisms of the rhizosphere. These results are promising for the application of selected environmentally save microbes in saline agricultural soils.     

A new growth medium for the study of siderophore-mediated interactions

Summary A microbial growth medium, RSM, was developed to study the role of siderophores (microbial Fe-transport compounds) in the inhibition of the take-all pathogen, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, by Pseudomonas putida strain B10. The inorganic constituents of the medium were designed to mimic the rhizosphere while the organic composition was designed to promote rapid growth and siderophore production. The antibiosis experiments were highly reproducible and the antagonism appeared to be due to production of pseudobactin, the siderophore of B10. On plates amended with chrome azurol S, G. graminis did not produce siderophores while other fungi did. The growth of G. graminis on plates prepared with Fe chelate buffers was inhibited at a free ferric ion concentration of 10^–24.6 M, although three other fungi were not inhibited, even at 10^–25.5 M, presumably due to their greater production of siderophores. In liquid medium amended with Fe chelate buffers, both the doubling time and the lag phase of P. putida increased as the free ferric ion concentration was reduced. A wide variety of fungi and bacteria were found to grow on this medium. Because the inorganic composition of RSM is based on that of the rhizosphere, the development of this medium may be a first step towards the study of the chemistry and biology of the rhizosphere under well defined conditions.     

盐胁迫油菜根际中含假单胞菌（Pseudomonas spp.1）的氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸 (ACC) 脱氨基酶特征研究

When exposed to biotic or abiotic stress conditions,plants produce ethylene from its immediate precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate(ACC),leading to retarded root growth and senescence.Many plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria contain the enzyme ACC deaminase and this enzyme can cleave ACC to form α-ketobutyrate and ammonium,thereby lowering levels of ethylene.The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize ACC deaminase-producing bacteria from the rhizosphere of salt-stressed canola(Brassica napus L.).Out of 105 random bacterial isolates,15 were able to utilize ACC as the sole source of nitrogen.These 15 isolates were also positive for indole acetic acid(IAA) production.Phylogenetic analysis based on partial 16 S rDNA sequences showed that all isolates belonged to fluorescent Pseudomonas spp.In the canola rhizosphere investigated in this study,Pseudomonas fluorescens was the dominant ACC deaminase-producing species.Cluster analysis based on BOX-A1R-based repetitive extragenic palindromic-polymerase chain reaction(BOX-PCR) patterns suggested a high degree of genetic variability in ACC deaminase-producing P.fluorescens strains.The presence of indigenous ACC-degrading bacteria in the rhizosphere of canola grown in saline soils indicates that these bacteria may contribute to salinity tolerance.     

细菌生物学特性对其生物膜形成的影响

Biofilm-associated microorganisms play crucial roles in terrestrial and aquatic nutrient cycling and in the biodegradation of environmental pollutants.Biofilm formation was determined for a total of 18 bacterial isolates obtained from the biofilms of wastewater treatment systems and of little carpolite in soil.Among these isolates,seven showed strong biofilm-forming capacity.The phylogenetic affiliation of the isolates showing high biofilm formation capacity was determined through 16S rDNA sequencing and the isolates were grouped into 7 bacterial species including Pseudomonas sp.,Pseudomonas putida,Aeromonas caviae,Bacillus cereus,Pseudomonas plecoglossicida,Aeromonas hydrophila,and Comamonas testosteroni.The biofilm-forming capacity was closely related with flagella,exopolysaccharide,and extracel-lular protein.According to the coefficient of determination,the relative importance of the five biological characteristics to biofilm formation was,in order from greatest to least,exopolysaccharide > flagella > N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) signaling molecules > extracellular protein > swarming motility.     

Effects of humic acids on the growth of bacteria

The influence of humic acids of different origins on the growth of bacterial cultures of different taxa isolated from the soil and the digestive tracts of earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa)—habitats with contrasting conditions—was studied. More than half of the soil and intestinal isolates from the 170 tested strains grew on the humic acid of brown coal as the only carbon source. The specific growth rate of the bacteria isolated from the intestines of the earthworms was higher than that of the soil bacteria. The use of humic acids by intestinal bacteria confirms the possibility of symbiotic digestion by earthworms with the participation of bacterial symbionts. Humic acids at a concentration of 0.1 g/l stimulated the growth of the soil and intestinal bacteria strains (66 strains out of 161) on Czapek’s medium with glucose (1 g/l), probably, acting as a regulator of the cell metabolism. On the medium with the humic acid, the intestinal bacteria grew faster than the soil isolates did. The most active growth of the intestinal isolates was observed by Paenibacillus sp., Pseudomonas putida, Delftia acidovorans, Microbacterium terregens, and Aeromonas sp.; among the soil ones were the representatives of the Pseudomonas genus. A response of the bacteria to the influence of humic acids was shown at the strain level using the example of Pseudomonas representatives. The Flexom humin preparation stimulated the growth of the hydrocarbon-oxidizing Acinetobacter sp. bacteria. This effect can be used for creating a new compound with the elevated activity of bacteria that are destroyers of oil and oil products.     

Diversity of rhizobia isolated from an agricultural soil in Argentina based on carbon utilization and effects of herbicides on growth

Seventy-six rhizobial isolates belonging to four different genera were obtained from the root nodules of several legumes (Vicia sativa, Vicia faba, Medicago sativa, Melilotus sp., Glycine max and Lotus corniculatus). The action of five commonly used herbicides [2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate (GF), dicamba, atrazine and metsulfuron-methyl] on the growth of rhizobial strains was assessed. Subsequently, GF and 2,4-D were tested in a minimum broth as C and energy sources for 20 tolerant strains. The ability of these strains to metabolize different carbon sources was studied in order to detect further differences among them. Tolerance of the bacteria to agrochemicals varied; 2,4-D and GF in solid medium inhibited and diminished growth, respectively, in slow-growing rhizobial strains. Among slow-growing strains we detected Bradyrhizobium sp. SJ140 that grew well in broth + GF as the sole C and energy source. No strain was found which could use 2,4-D as sole C source. The 20 strains studied exhibited different patterns of C sources utilization. Cluster analysis revealed three groups, corresponding to four genera of rhizobia: Rhizobium (group I), Sinorhizobium (group II) and Mesorhizobium–Bradyrhizobium (group III). On the basis of the results obtained on responses to herbicides and C sources utilization by the isolates investigated, it was possible to differentiate them at the level of strains. These results evidenced a considerable diversity in rhizobial populations that had not been previously described for Argentinean soils, and suggested a physiological potential to use natural and xenobiotic C sources.     

Effect of Inoculation with Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria on Growth and Copper Uptake by Sunflowers

The effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria inoculation on Helianthus annuus growth and copper (Cu) uptake was investigated. For this, the strains CC22, CC24, CC30, and CC33 previously isolated from heavy metal- and hydrocarbon-polluted soil were selected for study. These strains were characterized on the basis of their 16S rDNA sequences and identified as Pseudomonas putida CC22, Enterobacter sakazakii CC24, Acinetobacter sp. CC30, and Acinetobacter sp. CC33. Strains were able to synthesize indole, solubilize phosphorus, and produce siderophores in vitro, which are proper characteristics of plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria. Bacteria were also able to bioaccumulate Cu(II), and most of them could use aromatic hydrocarbons as a sole carbon source. Furthermore, Acinetobacter sp. CC33 exhibited the greatest extent of Cu(II) accumulation, and CC30 the widest range for degrading hydrocarbons. Acinetobacter sp. CC30 was selected for pot experiments on the basis of its plant growth-promoting properties. Inoculation with CC30 significantly increased the plant biomass (dry weight and length of root and shoot) and improved the photosynthetic pigment content in non- and Cu-contaminated soil (p < 0.05). Additionally, plant Cu uptake was improved by CC30 inoculation showing a significantly enhanced root Cu content (p < 0.05). Our findings evidenced that the strain CC30 protected the plant against the deleterious effect of Cu contamination and improved the Cu extraction by plant, hence concluding that its inoculation represents an alternative to improve phytoremediation process of heavy metals, particularly Cu, in contaminated environments.     

Synergistic effects of plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria and Rhizobium on nodulation and nitrogen fixation by pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan)

Plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), in conjuction with efficient Rhizobium, can affect the growth and nitrogen fixation in pigeonpea by inducing the occupancy of introduced Rhizobium in the nodules of the legume. This study assessed the effect of different plant‐growth promoting rhizobacteria (Azotobacter chroococcum , Azospirillum brasilense, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus cereus) on pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L) Milsp.) cv. P‐921 inoculated with Rhizobium sp. (AR‐2–2 k). A glasshouse experiment was carried out with a sandy‐loam soil in which the seeds were treated with Rhizobium alone or in combination with several PGPR isolates. It was monitored on the basis of nodulation, N₂ fixation, shoot biomass, total N content in shoot and legume grain yield. The competitive ability of the introduced Rhizobium strain was assessed by calculating nodule occupancy. The PGPR isolates used did not antagonize the introduced Rhizobium strain and the dual inoculation with either Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens or Bacillus cereus resulted in a significant increase in plant growth, nodulation and enzyme activity over Rhizobium‐inoculated and uninoculated control plants. The nodule occupancy of the introduced Rhizobium strain increased from 50% (with Rhizobium alone) to 85% in the presence of Pseudomonas putida. This study enabled us to select an ideal combination of efficient Rhizobium strain and PGPR for pigeonpea grown in the semiarid tropics.     

Evaluation of bacterial strains isolated from oil-contaminated soil for production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA)

Samples of eight geographically distinct soils contaminated with crude oil were screened for polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) producing bacterial strains. Twenty three bacterial strains were able to accumulate PHA when sodium gluconate or sodium octanoate was used as the sole carbon source. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing identified bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Sphingobacterium, Brochothrix, Caulobacter, Ralstonia, Burkholderia and Yokenella. Three of the bacterial strains have never been reported to produce PHA. The phylogenetic analysis of the PHA synthase (phaC) gene of these bacteria showed a close homology with the phaC gene of different Pseudomonas species.This study indicates that stressed environments like oil-contaminated sites can be potential sources of medium-chain-length PHA producers.     

Evaluation of bacterial strains isolated from oil-contaminated soil for production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA)

Samples of eight geographically distinct soils contaminated with crude oil were screened for polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) producing bacterial strains. Twenty three bacterial strains were able to accumulate PHA when sodium gluconate or sodium octanoate was used as the sole carbon source. Biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing identified bacteria of the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Sphingobacterium, Brochothrix, Caulobacter, Ralstonia, Burkholderia and Yokenella. Three of the bacterial strains have never been reported to produce PHA. The phylogenetic analysis of the PHA synthase (phaC) gene of these bacteria showed a close homology with the phaC gene of different Pseudomonas species.This study indicates that stressed environments like oil-contaminated sites can be potential sources of medium-chain-length PHA producers.     

Effect of biocontrol agents and biofertilizers on root rot,yield, harvest index and nutrient uptake of cassava (Manihot esculanta Crantz)

Cassava is an important subsidiary food and industrial raw material in the tropics. Root rot disease, caused by Phytophthora palmivora, poses a serious threat to cassava cultivation in Tamil Nadu, India. Field experiments (2008–09) were conducted to study the effect of biocontrol agents (Trichoderma spp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens) and biofertilizers (Azospirillum, vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and phosphorus-solubilizing bacteria) on root rot, yield, harvest index and nutrient uptake of cassava at two NPK rates. The design of the experiment was a split plot with two NPK rates, recommended and 50% recommended rate, as the main plot treatments and five biocontrol agents and biofertilizers as subplot treatments. The results clearly indicated that use of a bioinoculants consortium significantly reduced root rot infection/disease incidence over uninoculated controls. Azospirillum significantly improved the yield of cassava at 50% of the recommended rate of NPK. NPK rates had no significant impact on harvest index of cassava and Trichoderma and vesicular–arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi resulted in a higher harvest index even at 50% of the recommended NPK rate. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium uptake was significantly improved when treated with biofertilizers and/or a consortium.     

Phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere of mangroves in a semiarid coastal lagoon

 The phosphate-solubilizing potential of the rhizosphere microbial community in mangroves was demonstrated when culture media supplemented with insoluble, tribasic calcium phosphate, and incubated with roots of black (Avicennia germinans L.) and white [Laguncularia racemosa (L.) Gaertn.] mangrove became transparent after a few days of incubation. Thirteen phosphate-solubilizing bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of both species of mangroves: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus atrophaeus, Paenibacillus macerans, Vibrio proteolyticus, Xanthobacter agilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter taylorae, Enterobacter asburiae, Kluyvera cryocrescens, Pseudomonas stutzeri, and Chryseomonas luteola. One bacterial isolate could not be identified. The rhizosphere of black mangroves also yielded the fungus Aspergillus niger. The phosphate-solubilizing activity of the isolates was first qualitatively evaluated by the formation of halos (clear zones) around the colonies growing on solid medium containing tribasic calcium phosphate as a sole phosphorus source. Spectrophotometric quantification of phosphate solubilization showed that all bacterial species and A. niger solubilized insoluble phosphate well in a liquid medium, and that V. proteolyticus was the most active solubilizing species among the bacteria. Gas chromatographic analyses of cell-free spent culture medium from the various bacteria demonstrated the presence of 11 identified, and several unidentified, volatile and nonvolatile organic acids. Those most commonly produced by different species were lactic, succinic, isovaleric, isobutyric, and acetic acids. Most of the bacterial species produced more than one organic acid whereas A. niger produced only succinic acid. We propose the production of organic acids by these mangrove rhizosphere microorganisms as a possible mechanism involved in the solubilization of insoluble calcium phosphate. Received: 21 April 1999     

Molecular and physiological characterisation of psychrotrophic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria isolated from Terra Nova Bay (Antarctica)

A set of 21 Antarctic marine bacteria isolated from the Ross Sea and able to utilise diesel fuel as the sole carbon and energy source was characterised. Isolates were analysed by amplified 16S rDNA restriction analysis using the enzyme AluI, resulting in two different groups corresponding to different bacterial species. These species were assigned to the genera Rhodococcus and Alcaligenes, on the basis of 16S rDNA sequencing. This low degree of inter-specific biodiversity was parallel to a low intra-specific biodiversity, as shown by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis. Then, a 550-bp DNA fragment coding for the inner region of alkane mono-oxygenase was PCR-amplified from the genome of each strain. The phylogenetic analysis of the sequence of the putative AlkB protein coded for by the amplified DNA fragment revealed that these alkB genes were very likely inherited by horizontal gene transfer. Lastly, the analysis of the biodegradation ability of four strains revealed two different strategies of hydrocarbon uptake, mediated either by bio-surfactants and peculiar of Rhodococcus isolates, or by membrane modifications and shown by Alcaligenes isolates. In order to understand the interrelationships between hydrocarbon-degrading isolates, the dynamics of two strains, belonging to Rhodococcus and Alcaligenes, grown together in a co-culture was also followed over a seventeen days period.     

固氮菌(Azotobacter)伴生菌的研究

由于固氮菌(Azotobacter)的荚膜上常粘附着一些革兰氏阴性的小杆菌,使在分离及纯化固氮菌时增加了困难。有许多文献资料报导了固氮菌的伴生菌的种类,和它们对固氮菌的发育与固氮作用的影响。记载较多的伴生菌种是Agrobacterium radiobacter^[11,13]。     

海洋细菌生物膜用于生物修复陆地生态系统中土壤多环芳烃污染

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in soil retain for a quite long period due to their hydrophobicity and aggregation properties. Biofilm-forming marine bacterial consortium(named as NCPR), composed of Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila NCW702,Alcaligenes faecalis NCW402, Pseudomonas mendocina NR802, Pseudomonas aeruginosa N6P6, and Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes NP103, was used for the bioremediation of PAHs in a soil microcosm. Phenanthrene and pyrene were used as reference PAHs. Parameters that can affect PAH degradation, such as chemotaxis, solubility of PAHs in extracellular polymeric substances(EPS), and catechol2,3-dioxygenase(C23O) activity, were evaluated. P. aeruginosa N6P6 and P. pseudoalcaligenes NP103 showed chemotactic movement towards both the reference PAHs. The solubility of both the PAHs was increased with an increase in EPS concentration(extracted from all the 5 selected isolates). Significantly(P 0.001) high phenanthrene(70.29%) and pyrene(55.54%) degradation was observed in the bioaugmented soil microcosm. The C23O enzyme activity was significantly(P 0.05) higher in the bioaugmented soil microcosm with phenanthrene added at 173.26 ± 2.06 nmol min~(-1) mg~(-1) protein than with pyrene added at 61.80 ± 2.20 nmol min~(-1) mg~(-1) protein. The C23O activity and gas chromatography-mass spectrometer analyses indicated catechol pathway of phenanthrene metabolism. However, the metabolites obtained from the soil microcosm added with pyrene revealed both the catechol and phthalate pathways for pyrene degradation.     

Effect of Capsicum annuum cultivated in sub-alkaline soil on bacterial community and activities of cultivable plant growth promoting bacteria under field conditions

In literature, it remains little explored the soil–plant relationships within Capsicum agroecosystem. We studied how chili peppers plants contribute to influence microbial diversity. Across the bulk and rhizosphere soils of three genotypes of Capsicum annuum, the structure, the diversity and the abundance of bacteria was evaluated by means of DNA-based culture-independent approach. Furthermore, 515 bacterial strains isolated from the bulk and rhizosphere soil, were used to investigate the effect of C. annuum on four plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) abilities. Our results indicated that the three genotypes influence differently the physical-chemical and microbial properties of soil around the roots. Bacterial abundance resulted in increasing with different trend rhizospheres to bulk soil ratio; however, bacterial diversity was significantly higher only in the rhizosphere of one genotype. Only the indolic compounds production was stimulated in the rhizosphere of the three cultivars. Inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum was stimulated just with one genotype, where 53 of rhizosphere isolates showed more than 10% of inhibition. 165 of isolates produced siderophores and the major part belonged to the high production level. Interactions between PGPB features revealed that anti-phytopathogenic activity was not associated with the others characteristics; however, phosphate solubilization was associated with both siderophores and indolic compounds productions.