Paenibacillus plantiphilus sp. nov. from the plant environment of Zea mays

A Gram-strain positive, aerobic, endospore-forming bacterial strain (JJ-246(T)) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity comparisons showed a most closely relationship to Paenibacillus oenotherae DT7-4(T) (98.4%) and Paenibacillus xanthinolyticus 11N27(T) (98.0%). The pairwise average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values of the JJ-246(T) genome assembly against publicly available Paenibacillus type strain genomes were below 82% and 33%, respectively. The draft genome of JJ-246(T) shared many putative plant-beneficial functions contributing (PBFC) genes, related to plant root colonisation, oxidative stress protection, degradation of aromatic compounds, plant growth-promoting traits, disease resistance, drug and heavy metal resistance, and nutrient acquisition. The quinone system of strain JJ-246(T), the polar lipid profile and the major fatty acids were congruent with those reported for members of the genus Paenibacillus. JJ-246(T) was shown to represent a novel species of the genus Paenibacillus, for which the name Paenibacillus plantiphilus sp. nov. is proposed, with JJ-246(T) (= LMG 32093(T) = CCM 9089(T) = CIP 111893(T)) as the type strain.

Automated summary

A novel strain of Gram-stain positive, aerobic, endospore-forming bacteria (JJ-246(T)) was isolated from the rhizosphere of Zea mays. It is proposed as a new species of the genus Paenibacillus, named Paenibacillus plantiphilus sp. nov., with JJ-246(T) as the type strain. The genome of JJ-246(T) showed similarities to known Paenibacillus strains, but with distinct functional genes related to plant-beneficial traits.