AGROBIOTECHNOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF THE ACC DEAMINASE IN RHIZOBACTERIA, A REVIEW

The rhizosphere is a nutrient-rich soil region with important levels of microbial activity. In this zone, plants and some microorganisms such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) mutually interact for their benefit. These bacteria use one or several mechanisms to favor plants: either stimulating nutrients absorption or avoiding the action of pathogenic microorganisms. The activity of the 1-aminocydopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase is a strategy that some PGPR use to promote plant growth under specific environmental stress. This enzymatic activity provides two important advantages for plants: reducing ethylene concentration in the plant, and increasing ammonium availability at the rhizosphere. In this way, the activity of the ACC deaminase improves plant nutrition and resistance to stress factors. ACC deaminase-containing PGRP can be used to improve agricultural systems under arid and salt conditions, and at polluted environments with heavy metals. This review examined the basic aspects of the interaction between the PGPR and the plant and the ACC deaminase action mechanism. A compilation of the reported PGPR species and their application in agricultural and bioremediation is also presented.