Isolation and Identification of Priestia  megaterium  and Its Growth Promoting Effect on Tomato

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria ( PGPR ) can promote plant growth and increase yield. In this study, nine strains were isolated from robustly growing tomato roots and inter-root soil, and one strain was isolated from purchased bacterial fertiliser. They were identified as Priestia megaterium . The growth promoting ability was identified by applying P. megaterium to tomato. In addition, the phosphorus solubilising ability of the strains was measured, and the resistance-related enzyme activities and genes were measured on tomato leaves after the application of the strains, in order to preliminarily investigate the growth promotion and resistance mechanism of P. megaterium . The results showed that P. megaterium could promote the growth of tomato, increase the chlorophyll content of leaves, increase the PPO and POD activities, and promote the expression of LOX-D , ERF2 and PR-1a in tomato leaves.