The role of Bacillus megaterium PEF-1 in stimulating the growth of organic cotton under environmental stress conditions

Ultanbekova G. Jumakhanov B. Nussupov A. Faleev D. Satymbekov R. Kulymbet K. Hajjaji A. Daugaliyeva S. Mukhatayeva K. Mamytova N.
December 2025 Nature Research

Scientific Reports
2025 #15 Issue 1

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a key crop in Kazakhstan, yet its productivity is constrained by saline-alkaline soils, which affect approximately 41% of the nation’s arable land. Conventional soil remediation methods are often unsustainable and economically impractical. This study investigates the potential of Bacillus megaterium PEF-1, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) isolated from cotton rhizospheres in the Turkestan region, as a biofertilizer for saline-alkaline conditions. The strain demonstrated high tolerance to salinity (up to 10% NaCl), alkalinity (pH 9.0), and heavy metals, and produced significant levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA; 895 mg/L in vitro). Field trials with seed inoculation (10⁹ CFU/mL) showed marked improvements in cotton growth, including increases in plant height (18%), boll number (22%), and yield (25%) relative to controls. Soil analyses revealed enhanced nutrient availability in treated plots: nitrogen (+ 4.3%), phosphorus (+ 15.1%), potassium (+ 26.8%), and humus content (+ 29.3%). Stress mitigation was achieved through ACC deaminase-mediated ethylene reduction and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-driven reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. Acute toxicity tests, conducted in accordance with OECD guidelines, confirmed the strain’s biosafety with no adverse effects in mammalian models. Bacillus megaterium PEF-1 exhibits strong potential as a sustainable biofertilizer for improving cotton yields and soil fertility under saline-alkaline stress. Its capacity for nutrient mobilization, phytohormone synthesis, and abiotic stress alleviation aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 15 (Life on Land), offering a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers for arid and degraded agroecosystems.

Bacillus megaterium PEF-1 , Biofertilizer , Cotton , Indole-3-acetic acid , Kazakhstan , Saline-alkaline soils , Sustainable agriculture

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Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Al-Farabi ave 71, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Bekzat Sattarkhanov 29, Turkistan, 161200, Kazakhstan
Almaty Technological University, Tole bi 100, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan
U.U. Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Al- Farabi Ave 75B, Almaty, 050040, Kazakhstan
Islamic Organization for Food Security, l’Organization Islamique pour la Securite Almentaire, Mangilik Yel ave 55/21, AIFC, Unit 4, C4.2, Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan
Research and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology, Bogenbai Batyr 105, Almaty, 050010, Kazakhstan
Institute of High Technologies LLP, Bogenbai Batyr 168, Almaty, 050012, Kazakhstan

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University
Almaty Technological University
U.U. Uspanov Kazakh Research Institute of Soil Science and Agrochemistry
Islamic Organization for Food Security
Research and Production Center of Microbiology and Virology
Institute of High Technologies LLP

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