Isolation and Identification of Acid-tolerant Bacteria from Tea (Camellia sinensis) Plant Soil

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the acid-tolerant bacteria isolated from tea plant soils that elaborate low pH range of (4.5–6.0). However, acidic soils require low water holding capacity and poor fertility rate; therefore continuously increasing acid in soils inhibits the growth and reduces the quality of Camellia sinensis. Microorganisms provide essential support to plants in several environmental conditions. According to the final results, 25 isolates were obtained from the soils; most of them belong to the genus Pseudomonas sp. and Bacillus sp. Some isolates, such as Paraburkholderia sp. LJCY 02, Paenarthrobacter sp. LJCY 09, Pseudomonas azotoformans LJCY 11, Bacillus pumilus LJCY 17 and Lelliottia nimipressuralis LJCY 18 grew very well in acidic medium, indicating good resistance against acidity. Some isolates like Pseudomonas sp. LJCY 04, Pseudomonas sp. LJCY 12, Arthrobacter oryzae LJCY 16, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae LJCY 25 made the pH value increase to 6.0-6.5. Inoculated in acid soil, Saccharomyces cerevisiae LJCY 25 increased their pH, which provides the potential to regulate the pH value of the acidic soil.