A Wild Rice Rhizobacterium Burkholderia cepacia BRDJ Enhances Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Rice

Rice domestication has dramatically improved its agronomic traits, albeit with unavoidable significantly reduced genetic diversity. Dongxiang common wild rice, the wild rice species distributed in northernmost China, exhibits excellent resistance against stress and diseases and provides a rich genetic resource for rice breeding. Most of the studies focus on the function of the plant genes, often disregarding the role of the root microbes associated with the plants. In this work, we isolated a Burkholderia strain from the root of Dongxiang wild rice, which we identified as Burkholderia cepacia BRDJ, based on a phylogenetic analysis. This strain promoted the rice growth under greenhouse conditions. The grain yield was higher in a rice line containing a small genomic fragment derived from the Dongxiang wild rice, compared to the indica rice cultivar Zhongzao 35. This new strain also increased the plant biomass under limiting nitrogen conditions. Interestingly, this strain had a differential effect on indica and japonica rice varieties under full nitrogen supply conditions. By genome sequencing and comparison with another two B. cepacia strains, we observed enriched genes related with nitrogen fixation and phytohormone and volatiles biosynthesis that may account for the growth-promoting effects of the BRDJ. BRDJ has the potential to be used as a biofertilizer in promoting nitrogen use efficiency and overall growth in rice.

Automated summary

Rice domestication has improved agronomic traits but reduced genetic diversity. Dongxiang common wild rice, a wild rice species from northern China, provides a valuable genetic resource for rice breeding. In this study, a Burkholderia strain (BRDJ) isolated from the root of Dongxiang wild rice promoted rice growth and increased grain yield. The strain also showed differential effects on different rice varieties under nitrogen supply conditions. Genome analysis revealed genes related to nitrogen fixation and phytohormone and volatiles biosynthesis in BRDJ, which may explain its growth-promoting effects. BRDJ has the potential to be used as a biofertilizer for enhancing nitrogen use efficiency and overall growth in rice.