Biochemical and Molecular Characterization, and Bioprospecting of Drought Tolerant Actinomycetes from Maize Rhizosphere Soil

Drought is a major limitation to maize cultivation around the globe. Seven actinomycetes strains were isolated from maize rhizosphere soils in Mahikeng, North-West Province, South Africa. The isolates were biochemically characterized and identified with 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Isolates were also screened in vitro for abiotic stress tolerance to different concentrations of NaCl, pH, and polyethylene glycol (PEG 8000), as well as for biosynthesis of drought tolerance genes namely Glutathione peroxidase (GPX), Glycine-rich RNA binding protein (GRP), Desiccation protectant protein (DSP), Guanosine triphosphate binding protein (GTP) and plant growth-promoting genes:1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (accd) and siderophore biosynthesis (Sid). About 71.43% of isolates were of the genus Streptomyces (99-100% similarity), while 14.29% belong to the genus Arthrobacter (R15) and 14.29% to the genus Microbacterium (S11) respectively (99% similarity). Five isolates had their optimum growth at 35{degrees}C. Arthrobacter arilaitensis (R15) grew and tolerated 5%, 10%, and 20% PEG at 120 h. Root length increased by 110.53% in PEG treated maize seeds (-0.30 MPa) inoculated with Streptomyces pseudovenezuelae (S20) compared to the un-inoculated control. Likewise, germination percentage and vigor index increased by 37.53% and 194.81% respectively in PEG treated seeds inoculated with S20 than the un-inoculated PEG treated seeds. ACC deaminase gene was amplified in all the isolates, while the gene for siderophore biosynthesis was amplified in 85.71% of the isolates. Genes for the synthesis of GPX, GRP, DSP and GTP were amplified in Arthrobacter arilaitensis (R15) and Streptomyces pseudovenezuelae (S20) which lacked GTP. The amplification of drought-tolerant and plant growth-promoting primers indicates the possible presence of these genes in the isolates. These isolates have the potential for use as bio-inoculants, not only to improve drought tolerance in maize but also to be utilized as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents to facilitate growth promotion.