INTEGRATED MORPHOPHYSIOLOGICAL, MOLECULAR, AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MYCOBACTERIUM AGROFLORENSIS REVEALS ITS POTENTIAL AS A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL BIOINPUT

Abstract

The development of sustainable agricultural technologies has intensified the search for microbial bioinputs capable of enhancing crop productivity while reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers. In this context, plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have emerged as promising biological resources for improving nutrient availability, plant development, and environmental sustainability. This study aimed to perform the morphophysiological, molecular, and functional characterization of the experimental strain Mycobacterium agroflorensis and to evaluate its potential as an agricultural bioinput for sustainable crop production. The strain was cultivated on Middlebrook 7H10 medium and characterized through macroscopic and microscopic analyses, Gram and Ziehl–Neelsen staining, evaluation of growth under different temperatures and pH conditions, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis. Functional traits associated with plant growth promotion, including phytohormone production, phosphate solubilization, siderophore production, and genes involved in plant–microbe interactions, were investigated. Environmental conditions were monitored using an Internet of Things (IoT)-based platform integrated with environmental sensors. The strain exhibited stable growth on Middlebrook 7H10 medium, producing homogeneous cream-colored colonies with high phenotypic stability. Microscopic analyses confirmed the presence of slender acid-fast bacilli, consistent with the genus Mycobacterium. Optimal bacterial growth was observed at 30°C and pH 7.0, indicating mesophilic behavior and metabolic adaptation to near-neutral conditions. Molecular characterization confirmed the taxonomic identity of the strain, while functional analyses demonstrated traits associated with plant growth promotion. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of Mycobacterium agroflorensis as a promising microbial bioinput for sustainable agriculture, supporting future studies aimed at field validation and the development of innovative biofertilizers for environmentally responsible crop production.