This article reports the full genome sequence of Paenibacillus yonginensis DCY84T (KCTC33428, JCM19885), which is a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium isolated from humus soil of Yongin Forest in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The genome sequence of strain DCY84T provides greater understanding of the Paenibacillus species for practical use. This bacterium displays plant growth promotion via induced systemic resistance of abiotic stresses.

Comparative genome analysis of P. yonginensis DCY84T and P. polymyxa M1 using the Artemis software and ACT. (TIFF 16717 kb)

A field trial to investigate the effects of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) Paenibacillus yonginensis (DCY84(T)) and/or SiO2 seed coating on rice growth (Oryza sativa L.) was carried out on reclaimed tidal land in Taean County in South Korea. The field test was performed twice between May October 2014 and May-October 2015, in a randomized complete block (RCB) design with three replications. Treatments consisted of: Mock, DCY84(T)-treated seeds, SiO2-coated seeds and DCY84T-SiO2-treated seeds and each treatment area covered approximately 300 m(2). During the early developmental period of rice seedlings, the SiO2 coating without DCY84(T) led to the most favorable 30 DAS rice seedling parameters. Moreover, the combination of DCY84(T) and SiO2 treatments resulted in 2-fold greater fresh and dry weights of 60 DAS rice seedlings compared to Mock seedlings. DCY84(T) and SiO2, both individually and together, produced a greater grain yield and a greater total yield; specifically, DCY84(T) and SiO2 treatments yielded a 73% and 70% increase in mass compared to Mock plants, respectively. Rice treated with both DCY84(T) and SiO2 treatment contained the highest amount of Al, Fe, Ca and Mg, which were 54%, 169%, 42% and 67% higher than the Mock rice, respectively. Remarkably, DCY84(T) treatment had the most phosphate 111, potassium [K] and total nitrogen [T-N]. DCY84(T) and/or SiO2 treatment highly increased the whole kernel percentage. Thus, lower its broken kernel percentage to 9.60-24.58%. The protein content of the grain with both treatments was 7.2%, which was greater than that of the Mock grain (6.0%). The content of chlorophyll a, b and carotinoid in the rice leaves which were treated with silica and DCY84 has increased more than the mock without treatment. After harvest, the GABA content of brown rice was increased to 1.9-fold (2014), 1.5 fold (2015) compared to mock grain, respectively. Overall, DCY84(T) treatment and SiO2 coating can be useful methods for promoting growth of rice under conditions of saline stress. Results from other laboratory trials and greenhouse experiments are also provided. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Current agricultural production methods, for example the improper use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, create many health and environmental problems. Use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) for agricultural benefits is increasing worldwide and also appears to be a trend for the future. There is possibility to develop microbial inoculants for use in agricultural biotechnology, based on these beneficial plant-microbe interactions. For this study, ten bacterial strains were isolated from Yongin forest soil for which in vitro plant-growth promoting trait screenings, such as indole acetic acid (IAA) production, a phosphate solubilization test, and a siderophore production test were used to select two PGPB candidates. Arabidopsis thaliana plants were inoculated with Paenibacillus yonginensis DCY84(T) and Micrococcus yunnanensis PGPB7. Salt stress, drought stress and heavy metal (aluminum) stress challenges indicated that P. yonginensis DCY84(T)-inoculated plants were more resistant than control plants. AtRSA1, AtVQ9 and AtWRKY8 were used as the salinity responsive genes. The AtERD15, AtRAB18, and AtLT178 were selected to check A. thaliana responses to drought stress. Aluminum stress response was checked using AtAIP, AtALS3 and AtALMT1. The qRT-PCR results indicated that P. yonginensis DCY84(T) can promote plant tolerance against salt, drought, and aluminum stress. P. yonginensis DCY84(T) also showed positive results during in vitro compatibility testing and virulence assay against X. oryzae pv. oryzae Philippine race 6 (PXO99). Better germination rates and growth parameters were also recorded for the P. yonginensis DCY84(T) Chuchung cultivar rice seed which was grown on coastal soil collected from Suncheon. Based on these results, P. yonginensis DCY84(T) can be used as a promising PGPB isolate for crop improvement.