Abstract

Forest fires in the National Botanical Garden of Viña del Mar (NBG) pose a significant threat to local biodiversity and ecosystem services. To aid in the recovery of areas impacted by fire, where natural regeneration is slow or insufficient, reforestation has been implemented as an ecological restoration strategy. This study aimed to isolate and sequence the genomes of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) to enhance restoration efforts with Chilean native tree species. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere of native Molle (Schinus latifolius) and Quillay (Quillaja saponaria) trees within the NBG, Viña del Mar, Chile. Phosphate-solubilizing and Nitrogen-fixing bacteria were selected for genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Based on de novo assemblies from the long sequencing reads, we identified seven rhizospheric bacteria at the species level and annotated their plant growth-promoting traits. Additionally, through the analysis of metabolic pathways, we aim to improve a culture medium for large-scale production of PGPB, facilitating its application in the field. These methodologies provide valuable insights into the genomic features of rhizosphere-associated microorganisms, laying the groundwork for identifying beneficial traits that support plant growth and resilience in restored ecosystems.