Abstract:Objective To isolate and characterize plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from the roots of the rice variety YTZ and the backcross progeny H8 with tolerance to low nitrogen and low phosphorus, and evaluate the potential of PGPR in promoting the growth of rice seedlings.Methods Bacterial strains were isolated by plate streaking and taxonomically identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Functional traits, including phosphate solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, were assessed for strain selection. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to mine functional genes and elucidate potential molecular mechanisms of target strains. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate strain effects on the physicochemical properties of soil and nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorus) uptake of seedlings, while 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was employed to analyze rhizosphere microbial community dynamics. In addition, synthetic microbial consortia and carrier combinations were developed and assessed for application feasibility.Results Seven strains with phosphate-solubilizing and nitrogen-fixing capabilities were obtained, and their IAA production was quantitatively determined. Five representative strains were selected for pot experiments. Among them, B. altitudinis Hxx04 exhibited the strongest plant growth-promoting effect, increasing the fresh weight by 47.2% and plant height by 48.6%, while significantly enhancing nitrogen and phosphorus uptake efficiency of rice seedlings. Inoculation with Hxx04 led to marked reductions in soil total nitrogen, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus, indicating improved nutrient uptake by rice plants. Rhizosphere community analysis revealed increased microbial abundance following inoculation, which supported the nitrogen supply for seedling growth. Furthermore, a synthetic microbial consortium centered on B. altitudinis Hxx04 performed optimally when being inoculated with the carrier combination of bentonite and straw.Conclusion B. altitudinis Hxx04 demonstrated high efficiency in nitrogen and phosphorus utilization and significantly promoted rice growth (evidenced by increased fresh weight and plant height), thereby reducing chemical fertilizer dependence. Its dual contribution to yield enhancement and environmental sustainability highlights its potential as a valuable microbial resource for green agriculture, supporting the goal of coordinating nutrient use efficiency with ecological conservation in rice production.