Endophytic bacteria from the leaves of two types of albino tea plants, indicating the plant growth promoting properties

Bacteria survived and thrived inside any part of plant without damaging its host are called endophytic bacteria. Many studies have focused on plant–endophytic bacterium interactions and their Plant-growth-promoting (PGP) abilities. Albino tea plants are widely investigated because of their high amino acid concentrations. Previous studies mainly elucidated specific metabolite mechanisms in albino tea plants, while the present study identified the variation in diversity and endophytic bacterial abundance in albino and non-albino tea leaves using culture-dependent and culture-independent methods. With different culture media, we identified a total of 110 isolates, of which 58 endophytic bacteria belonged to three phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria). Moreover, we identified a total of 1856 operational taxonomic units as 513 endophytic bacteria belonging to 27 phyla including Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria. In addition, comparing to non-albino tea leaves, endophytic bacteria obtained from albino tea leaves showed higher diversity and abundance. Endophytic bacteria isolated from albino leaves also exhibited higher PGP properties than those from non-albino ones, and their PGP effects on rice and tea cuttings were examined. The results indicated differences in endophytic bacteria between albino and non-albino leaves. Specific endophytic bacteria isolated from albino leaves may have a relationship with the albino phenotype. Our study indicated that PGP bacteria isolated from albino leaves are expected to become a plant growth promoter in the future.