NEWLY ISOLATED PLANT-GROWTH-PROMOTING BACTERIA FROM THE RHIZOSPHERE OF TAMARIX APHYLLA

Tamarix aphylla is an evergreen tree with small leaves that can resist drought and in saline soils. The plant is used in folk medicine in Saudi Arabia and in many Asian, African, and South European countries. Therefore, extensive research has been conducted to investigate its pharmaceutical benefits and antibiotic properties. In addition, T. aphylla was also studied for its environmental significance as a soil anti-erosive agent, but little is known about its associated microbiomes. The present study aims to identify and describe the T. aphylla microbiome's diversity and to investigate its biological and biochemical properties under abiotic stress. Here, we identified 30 independent bacterial isolates through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The identified bacteria were from several species and strains of Bacillus, which are found in extreme environments and thus could possess biotechnological and environmental potential. Moreover, we analyzed and compared the physicochemical properties of the soil crust and the rhizosphere of T. aphylla against a control soil sample to investigate how this plant affects its surrounding environment. Ultimately, this study works towards paving the way for further research on the significance of these plants and their associated microbiomes in Saudi Arabia.