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Description
The recent rise in the average global temperature has been a driving force over the past few years for rising soil salinity. This presents an especially hostile environment to many plant species that may not have previously been exposed to these conditions. The rhizosphere, which is a layer of soil attached to the roots of a plant, contains microorganisms that contribute to the plants' abiotic and biotic stress resistance. These microorganisms are known as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). These can play a key role in contributing to plant stress resistance. Some native plants have shown a strong ability to resist harsh or inclimate abiotic and biotic stressors such as drought, cold temperatures, heavy metal contaminations, and more. In this study we have selected a native resilient plant indigenous to the InterMountain West region of North America which is known as Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush). Our aim is to try to isolate halotolerant bacteria from the rhizosphere of Snowbrush. Samples were collected from the rhizosphere of Snowbrush specimens from the Tony Grove region of Logan Utah. These soil samples were diluted in a 10:95 ratio and were then serially diluted five times in a 1:10 ratio. The last three dilutions that were made were then plated onto nutrient agar media with six different concentrations of sodium chloride (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% W/V) with 0% as a control. This is an ongoing study, and the colonies isolated will be identified using 16s rRNA sequencing then followed by BLAST (basic local alignment search tool) search. Isolated halotolerant bacteria can be used as a biofertilizer that can contribute to improving plant health and crop productivity in saline soil.
Publisher
Utah State University
Publication Date
12-10-2020
Disciplines
Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Recommended Citation
Davis, Jacob, "Isolation of Halotolerant Bacteria from the Rhizosphere of Ceanothus velutinus May Lead to Contributions in Plant Health in Saline Conditions" (2020). Fall Student Research Symposium 2020. 16.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/fsrs2020/16