This study investigated the phytohormone-degrading potential of bacterial communities within the tea ecosystem. A total of 79 bacterial isolates were obtained from various microhabitats, including soil, rhizosphere, roots, and seeds, and screened for their ability to degrade ACC, IAA, and salicylic acid (SA). Selected active isolates were subjected to 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and their taxonomic affiliations were determined through phylogenetic analysis. The sequences clustered with reference species with significant bootstrap support, revealing that the isolates predominantly belonged to the genera Burkholderia, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas. Among the isolates, SA degradation activity was the least frequently observed, suggesting that specific ecological or agricultural conditions may influence the presence of SA-degrading microorganisms. ACC deaminase (ACCd) activity ranged from 0 to 2.58 µmol mg⁻¹ h⁻¹, with the highest value recorded in Burkholderia sp. isolate 6R1, consistent with previously reported ranges for Burkholderia species. The detection of IAA degradation across three genera indicates that this trait is widespread among diverse bacterial groups. These functional properties, which influence phytohormone balance in the tea microbiome, may play a role in modulating plant growth and stress responses. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that bacteria isolated from the tea ecosystem possess the capacity to degrade key phytohormones, highlighting their potential as biological regulators for sustainable tea cultivation.
Eminoğlu et al. (Sat,) studied this question.