Arthrobacter sp. GDB: A Glyphosate-Degrading Actinobacterium Isolated from Rhizosphere of Jute (Corchorus olitorius)

Graphical Abstract Abstract A glyphosate-degrading actinobacterial isolate, designated as GDB, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of jute (Corchorus olitorius) cultivated in Barrackpore, India. This Gram-positive, non-motile isolate exhibited rod-coccus morphology and formed creamy white colonies on Luria agar plates. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the GDB isolate belongs to the genus Arthrobacter. The isolate demonstrated significant resistance to, and degradation of, glyphosate, thriving in progressively higher herbicide concentrations (3, 6, and 9 mg/L). It reached a maximum optical density of 0.8 and a dry cell weight of 0.208 g/L after 144 hours. Growth kinetic studies showed effective degradation of glyphosate at a concentration of 30 mg/L over time, suggesting the isolate's potential for bioremediation in herbicide-contaminated environments. These findings aim to enhance our understanding of bacterial strategies for herbicide resistance and biodegradation, providing valuable insights for sustainable agricultural practices and environmental safety.