The use of termite mound soils in enhancing soil fertility and plant growth, especially in areas with poor soil conditions, has been recommended by many research studies. Most of these recommendations are, however, based on the high nutrient levels in termite mound soils. Thus, this study aimed to verify if plant growth–promoting bacteria in termite soils also play a role in improving plant growth. To achieve our purpose, we made an effort in characterizing the bacterial genes contributing to plant-beneficial function in termite mound soils with the shotgun metagenomics method. Results from this study revealed the presence of bacterial genes involved in the production of siderophores, acetoin, trehalose, phenazine, butanediol, 4-hydroxybenzoate, chitinase, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, quorum sensing molecules, and mineral phosphate solubilization. In addition, we identified bacterial genes involved in the manufacturing of catalases, peroxidases, and superoxide dismutases that confer resistance to oxidative stresses in plants. Bacterial genes responsible for glycine-betaine production and cold and heat shock tolerance which helps in withstanding abiotic stress, were also present. With these plant growth–promoting traits observed in bacteria from termite mound soils, we recommend the isolation and the use of termite mound soil bacteria both in greenhouse and field trials to further ascertain their potential in improving soil fertility and crop production.

中文翻译：

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揭示白蚁丘土壤细菌基因中的植物有益功能

许多研究都推荐使用白蚁丘土来提高土壤肥力和植物生长，特别是在土壤条件差的地区。然而，这些建议中的大多数都是基于白蚁丘土壤中的高营养水平。因此，本研究旨在验证白蚁土壤中促进植物生长的细菌是否也在促进植物生长方面发挥作用。为了实现我们的目的，我们努​​力使用鸟枪宏基因组学方法来表征有助于白蚁丘土壤中植物有益功能的细菌基因。这项研究的结果揭示了参与产生铁载体、乙偶姻、海藻糖、吩嗪、丁二醇、4-羟基苯甲酸酯、几丁质酶、1-氨基环丙烷-1-羧酸（ACC）脱氨酶、群体感应分子、和矿物磷酸盐增溶。此外，我们还鉴定了参与制造过氧化氢酶、过氧化物酶和超氧化物歧化酶的细菌基因，这些基因赋予植物对氧化应激的抗性。还存在负责甘氨酸-甜菜碱产生和冷热休克耐受性的细菌基因，这有助于抵御非生物胁迫。由于在白蚁丘土壤的细菌中观察到这些促进植物生长的特性，我们建议在温室和田间试验中分离和使用白蚁丘土壤细菌，以进一步确定它们在提高土壤肥力和作物产量方面的潜力。还存在负责甘氨酸-甜菜碱产生和冷热休克耐受性的细菌基因，这有助于抵御非生物胁迫。由于在白蚁丘土壤的细菌中观察到这些促进植物生长的特性，我们建议在温室和田间试验中分离和使用白蚁丘土壤细菌，以进一步确定它们在提高土壤肥力和作物产量方面的潜力。还存在负责甘氨酸-甜菜碱产生和冷热休克耐受性的细菌基因，这有助于抵御非生物胁迫。由于在白蚁丘土壤的细菌中观察到这些促进植物生长的特性，我们建议在温室和田间试验中分离和使用白蚁丘土壤细菌，以进一步确定它们在提高土壤肥力和作物产量方面的潜力。