Enterobacter soli Strain AF-22b-4245: Study of the Genome and the Effect on Wheat Growth
, Olga Viktorovna Mishukova 1, Inna Viktorovna Khlistun 1, Irina Nikolaevna Tromenschleger 1, Evgeniya Vladimirovna Chumanova 1 and Elena Nikolaevna Voronina 1,2,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsA Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 was isolated from a soil sample collected in the Bryansk region. In this manuscript, the whole genome was sequenced, the promoting characters were estimated, and some of them were evaluated. Further, the effect of AF-22b-4245 on wheat were examined. The results were abundant. However, the manuscript was not well organized.
In introduction, the background, purpose, importance and status of the research should be briefly and clearly outlined. For example, why choose Enterobacter soli, what is the benefit of this specie? It is better to write a topic sentence for each paragraph.
In methods, the description should be condensed and informative.
In results, it should be avoid to repeat the tables and figures in the text. Re-organize all the tables and figures. Here is an example.
In discussion, it should be outline the main viewpoint, main constrains and what should do in the further study.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
The English could be improved to more clearly express the research.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsIn this manuscript, Ekaterina Alexeevna Sokolova and colleagues have reported the genome of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 and characterized its effect on wheat growth. This study is interesting, and I have the following comments:
1, For the Abstract, data demonstrating the effect of E. soli strain AF-22b-4245 on efficiency of mineral fertilizers should be described. Full names of abbreviations PGPB, PGP, and WGS should be spelt out. In addition, abstract should be shown in one paragraph.
2, For the Keywords, full names of PGPB, PGP, and WGS should be included.
3, For the Introduction, the format is incorrect. For instance, the layout of first sentence should be formalized. In addition, reference in the statement “In recent years, the search and research of bacterial strains with PGBP properties have been actively conducted. It is also known that some bacteria have the properties to survive in conditions of high salinity (halophiles) and/or drought. By summarizing this, it is considered advisable to identify bacteria that are able to survive in extreme conditions, while having a positive effect on plants.” is missing, please provide. Advances on the genomic annotation of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 should be introduced.
4, For the Materials and methods, genotype of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 employed in this study should be described. Cultivation conditions like culture media and temperature of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 should be introduced.
5, For the Results, picture showing clone growth of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 should be exhibited. Pictures showing growth of wheat when grown under stress conditions 525 (drought, salinity) should be included as well. In addition, authors should consider to display the data of Tables 4 and 5 using Figures.
6, For the Discussion, I would like to divide the discussion section into several subsections in a logic way and entitle each subsection.
7, For the conclusion, this section should be expanded to include all major findings of this study.
Author Response
Dear reviewer
We would like to thank you for very helpful and instructive comments. Below, please find attached detailed response to reviewers’ comments. We have modified the manuscript accordingly and hope that now it qualifies for next round of review.
Best regards,
Sokolova Ekaterina
In this manuscript, Ekaterina Alexeevna Sokolova and colleagues have reported the genome of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 and characterized its effect on wheat growth. This study is interesting, and I have the following comments:
- For the Abstract, data demonstrating the effect of E. soli strain AF-22b-4245 on efficiency of mineral fertilizers should be described. Full names of abbreviations PGPB, PGP, and WGS should be spelt out. In addition, abstract should be shown in one paragraph.
Done
- For the Keywords full names of PGPB, PGP, and WGS should be included.
Done
- For the Introduction, the format is incorrect. For instance, the layout of first sentence should be formalized. In addition, reference in the statement “In recent years, the search and research of bacterial strains with PGBP properties have been actively conducted. It is also known that some bacteria have the properties to survive in conditions of high salinity (halophiles) and/or drought. By summarizing this, it is considered advisable to identify bacteria that are able to survive in extreme conditions, while having a positive effect on plants.” is missing, please provide. Advances on the genomic annotation of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 should be introduced.
The introduction section has been rewritten according to the comments.
4, For the Materials and methods, genotype of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 employed in this study should be described. Cultivation conditions like culture media and temperature of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 should be introduced.
The cultivation conditions are added in the first paragraph in the chapter results.
5, For the Results, picture showing clone growth of Enterobacter soli strain AF-22b-4245 should be exhibited. Pictures showing growth of wheat when grown under stress conditions 525 (drought, salinity) should be included as well. In addition, authors should consider to display the data of Tables 4 and 5 using Figures.
Added Pictures showing growth of wheat when grown under stress conditions - Figure 5.
Tables 4, 5 and 6 are accompanied by diagrams.
6, For the Discussion, I would like to divide the discussion section into several subsections in a logic way and entitle each subsection.
Done
7, For the conclusion, this section should be expanded to include all major findings of this study.
Done
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript presented here concerns the study of Enterobacter soli AF-22b-4245 strain as plant (wheat) growth-promoting bacteria. The authors present a detailed study of the properties of the E. soli strain, determining the strain's ability to i.e. produce selected enzymes, its ability to chelate iron or solubilise phosphorus. The authors also performed a whole-genome analysis of the microorganism to identify genes responsible for promoting plant growth and development. Studies related to the growth of wheat under different conditions in the presence of the said strain are also presented. The manuscript requires only editorial corrections and additions to the Introduction and Summary. Therefore, the manuscript requires minor revisions.
Detailed comments are given below:
Please indicate the strain names in italics in Abstract.
Introduction: Please indicate more precisiely the originality of the research and point to its novelty.
Results: lines 291-296 - Please format the text according to the journal's requirements (as a main text).
Conclusion: The summary is very short and needs to be completed. Please indicate the shortcomings and weaknesses of the presented research and provide future perspectives.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
We would like to thank you for carefully reading the manuscript and appreciating it. We have made appropriate changes to the manuscript and hope that it is now suitable for the next round of review.
Best regards,
Sokolova Ekaterina
Reply to reviewer #3
The manuscript presented here concerns the study of Enterobacter soli AF-22b-4245 strain as plant (wheat) growth-promoting bacteria. The authors present a detailed study of the properties of the E. soli strain, determining the strain's ability to i.e. produce selected enzymes, its ability to chelate iron or solubilise phosphorus. The authors also performed a whole-genome analysis of the microorganism to identify genes responsible for promoting plant growth and development. Studies related to the growth of wheat under different conditions in the presence of the said strain are also presented. The manuscript requires only editorial corrections and additions to the Introduction and Summary. Therefore, the manuscript requires minor revisions.
Detailed comments are given below:
- Please indicate the strain names in italics in Abstract.
In the abstract and throughout the text, it is reduced to a single format and italicized (E. soli strain AF-22b-4245). Highlighted with a yellow fill.
- Introduction: Please indicate more precisiely the originality of the research and point to its novelty.
The introduction section has been rewritten according to the comments.
- Results: lines 291-296 - Please format the text according to the journal's requirements (as a main text).
3.1. Screening on titer plates
After isolation, the strain was initially routinely screened in titer plates for PGRB properties and stress resistance, which included (1) drought tests, (2) salinity tests, (3) survival in the presence of heavy metals, (4) production of phytohormones and ammonium, (5) the ability to form biofilms and (6) solubilize phosphates (Table 2).
Changed to
3.1. Screening on titer plates
After isolation, the strain was initially routinely screened in titer plates for PGRB properties and stress resistance, which included drought tests, salinity tests, survival in the presence of heavy metals, production of phytohormones and ammonium, the ability to form biofilms and solubilize phosphates (Table 2).
- Conclusion: The summary is very short and needs to be completed. Please indicate the shortcomings and weaknesses of the presented research and provide future perspectives.
Done
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe manuscript has been improved.
The style of tables and figures should be further modified.
The significant digits should be further examined.
It is better to condense the result, discussion and conclusion.
-It is recommended to note the winning the bidding hyphal compartment abbreviation “HC” again in the title of Figures 1c and 1d to echo the text line 296
Table 1 Whether significant differences need to be annotated by letter notation
Figure 3 is not mentioned in the manuscript.
Figure 4 doesn't do a good job of illustrating what's on lines 345-347
Removing the ”[]” on Line38
This article cites older literature, hoping to introduce new studies 3. and remove old
Most of the abstracts are results, lacking background, purpose and conclusion
What is the source of 11 / 14 in Eq. 1 and 2
Line 131 headings are different from other headings
The data and analysis in the results section appear messy, and the use of descriptive subheadings can make the discussion more organized.
Comments for author File: Comments.pdf
Author Response
- Line 103 => (λ = 882 nm),
- Line 116 => FeCl3
- Line 283 PCA was performed using the R prcomp () =>
PCA was performed using the R prcomp
- Lines 293-294 * changed to ·
FeSO4·7H2O – 0.05, KH2PO4 – 0.5, CaCl2 – 0.1, MgSO4·7H2O - 0.1
- Figure 2 redraw the figure, and keep it at the same style
Done
- Line 507 Table 4 redraw the table Leaf (fresh/ dry) weight Root (fresh/ dry) weight
Done
- Line 690 Excessive significant digit
Done
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsAuthors have addressed my concerns in the revision.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Our team of authors expresses deep gratitude for the careful reading of our manuscript and valuable comments. We believe that thanks to them, the article has become better.
Best regards,
Sokolova Ekaterina
