Rice cultivation constraints on peat soils often result from low nutrient availability, highlighting the need for sustainable biofertilizer alternatives. Acrostichum aureum L., a naturally growing fern in coastal environments, could harbor beneficial endophytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting properties. This study aimed to isolate and characterize endophytic bacteria from A. aureum L. and evaluate their potential as biofertilizers for rice cultivation on peat soil. Seventeen endophytic bacterial isolates, screened for plant growth-promoting traits, emerged with three promising isolates selected for further evaluation. Growing of rice seedlings in peat soil used a completely randomized design for 14 days. Inoculated seedlings generally exhibited higher mean values for germination and growth parameters than the control. The isolate A.T 4 (Acinetobacter sp.) achieved the highest germination percentage (80%), plant height (25.78 cm), and root length (7.48 cm). The topmost mean leaf number (3.00) and dry weight (24.36 mg) recording appeared in seedlings treated with the isolate B.A 3 (Bacillus sp.). Overall, the selected isolates improved rice seedling performance and demonstrated potential as biofertilizer candidates for peat soil cultivation. Further greenhouse and field studies are essential to confirm their effectiveness.
Endophytic bacteria, A. aureum L., rice, biofertilizer, halotolerant, salinity stress, sustainable agriculture
Endophytic bacteria procured from the sea fern (A. aureum L.) revealed the robust plant growth-promoting activities and tolerance to salinity and acidic soils, which highlighted its potential as promising biofertilizer for sustainable rice cultivation on marginal lands.