Find in Library

Cuban rice cultivars INCA LP-5 and INCA LP-7 are widely distributed in Cuba and Caribbean countries. Although there are studies about rhizospheric bacteria associated with these cultivars, there are no reports about their seed-associated bacteria. This study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from rice seeds and select those with the greatest plant growth-promoting traits. A total of nineteen bacterial strains from the genera <i>Pantoea</i>, <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Paenibacillus</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i> were isolated from the husk and endosperm of rice seeds. The strains <i>Pantoea</i> sp. S5-1, <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. S5-38, and <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. S7-1 were classified as the most promissory to increase rice growth as they demonstrated the presence of multiple plant growth-promoting traits such as the production of auxins, phosphate, and potassium solubilization, the production of siderophores, and the inhibition of the phytopathogen <i>Pyricularia oryzae</i>. The inoculation of strains of <i>Pantoea</i> sp. and <i>Pseudomonas</i> spp. in rice improves the height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight of the shoot and root after 21 days post-inoculation in hydroponic assays. This study constitutes the first report on Cuban rice cultivars about the presence of endophytes in seeds and their potential to promote seedling growth. <i>Pantoea</i> sp. S5-1, <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. S5-38, and <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. S7-1 were selected as the more promising strains for the development of bio-stimulators or bio-inoculants for Cuban rice crops.