Characterization of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa RSRod01 Isolated from Trifolium sp. Root Nodules Growing at a Pb-Zn Mine Site.

New advance in plant–microorganism interactions research revealed the ability of plants to affect the composition of root-associated microbial communities, selecting for the microorganisms required for their growth in different ecosystems under stress conditions. Yeasts can play important roles in promoting plant growth; however, little information is available in this regard. In this study, we evaluated the ability of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa RSRod01 strain isolated from the root nodules of Trifolium sp. collected from a Pb-Zn mine soil to promote plant growth in vitro by producing a siderophore and extracellular enzymes, and exhibiting antifungal activity, as well as its tolerance to heavy metals and salinity. The results showed that the isolate possessed important plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including the capacity to grow at 4% salt concentration and resistance to high levels of heavy metals. Resistance to heavy metals decreased in the following row: Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Co2+ > Zn2+ = Ni2+ > Cd2+> Cr6+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]