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Microorganisms
Volume 14
Issue 4
10.3390/microorganisms14040875
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This is an early access version, the complete PDF, HTML, and XML versions will be available soon.
Article

Isolation and Characterization of Nickel-Resistant Microbacterium algeriense C14 with Plant-Growth-Promoting Properties and Metal-Immobilization Capacity

by
Hansheng Liu
1,
Shengxu Wang
2,
Jie Wang
3,
Xingyu Ma
2,
Chunli Zhao
2,* and
Mingtang Li
1,*
1
College of Resources and Environment, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
2
College of Forestry and Grassland Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
3
College of Engineering and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Microorganisms 2026, 14(4), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040875
Submission received: 20 February 2026 / Revised: 17 March 2026 / Accepted: 5 April 2026 / Published: 13 April 2026
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Microbe Interactions)
Versions Notes

Abstract

Nickel (Ni) contamination threatens plant growth and ecosystem stability, and plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are sustainable bioremediation candidates. Here, we isolated and characterized a Ni-resistant PGPR strain, Microbacterium algeriense C14, from the rhizosphere of Zinnia elegans in Ni-contaminated soil. C14 exhibited exceptional Ni tolerance (up to 800 mg·L−1), produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and maintained pH homeostasis (8.3–8.7). XPS and XRD analyses confirmed a novel carboxylate-based precipitation mechanism: C14 secretes carboxyl-containing metabolites that coordinate with Ni2+ to form stable amorphous nickel–carboxylate complexes. Under Ni stress (50–600 mg·L−1 for germination; 50–600 mg·kg−1 soil for pot experiments), C14 inoculation increased the seed germination index by up to 47.3%, seedling root length by 36.9%, and mature plant aboveground fresh weight by 21.32%, while reducing plant Ni uptake by 38.7% (seedlings) and 49.9% (mature shoots). It also enhanced plant antioxidant-enzyme (SOD and POD) activities and soluble protein content, improved soil quality (pH +0.16–0.33 units, urease/acid phosphatase activities elevated), and reduced soil-available Ni by 23.7%. Additionally, C14 enriched Proteobacteria in the rhizosphere and modified microbial community structure. These results highlight M. algeriense C14 as a promising resource for Ni-contaminated soil remediation via integrated metal immobilization, growth promotion, and rhizosphere regulation.
Keywords: Microbacterium algeriense; nickel resistance; carboxylate precipitation; plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria; phytoremediation; bioremediation; rhizosphere; heavy metal Microbacterium algeriense; nickel resistance; carboxylate precipitation; plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria; phytoremediation; bioremediation; rhizosphere; heavy metal

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MDPI and ACS Style

Liu, H.; Wang, S.; Wang, J.; Ma, X.; Zhao, C.; Li, M. Isolation and Characterization of Nickel-Resistant Microbacterium algeriense C14 with Plant-Growth-Promoting Properties and Metal-Immobilization Capacity. Microorganisms 2026, 14, 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040875

AMA Style

Liu H, Wang S, Wang J, Ma X, Zhao C, Li M. Isolation and Characterization of Nickel-Resistant Microbacterium algeriense C14 with Plant-Growth-Promoting Properties and Metal-Immobilization Capacity. Microorganisms. 2026; 14(4):875. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040875

Chicago/Turabian Style

Liu, Hansheng, Shengxu Wang, Jie Wang, Xingyu Ma, Chunli Zhao, and Mingtang Li. 2026. "Isolation and Characterization of Nickel-Resistant Microbacterium algeriense C14 with Plant-Growth-Promoting Properties and Metal-Immobilization Capacity" Microorganisms 14, no. 4: 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040875

APA Style

Liu, H., Wang, S., Wang, J., Ma, X., Zhao, C., & Li, M. (2026). Isolation and Characterization of Nickel-Resistant Microbacterium algeriense C14 with Plant-Growth-Promoting Properties and Metal-Immobilization Capacity. Microorganisms, 14(4), 875. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14040875

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