Growth-Promoting Characteristics of Fungal and Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from a Drought-Tolerant Mint Species Endostemon obtusifolius (E. Mey. ex Benth.) N. E. Br

Endophytes are primarily endosymbiotic bacteria and fungi that colonize the interior tissues of their host plant. They enhance the host plant’s growth and attenuate adverse effects of biological stress. Endophytic species of many indigenous plants are an untapped resource of plant growth-promoting microorganisms that can mitigate abiotic stress effects. Thus, this study aimed to isolate endophytes from the roots and leaves of the medicinal plant Endostemon obtusifolius to evaluate their in vitro growth-promoting capacities and drought tolerance and to characterize the most promising species. Twenty-six endophytes (fourteen bacteria and twelve fungi) were isolated and cultured from the roots and leaves of E. obtusifolius. All 26 endophytes produced flavonoids, and 14 strains produced phenolic compounds. Of the 11 strains that displayed good free radical scavenging capability (low IC50) in the 1-1-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl radical scavenging assay, only three strains could not survive the highest drought stress treatment (40% polyethylene glycol). These 11 strains were all positive for ammonia and siderophore production and only one strain failed to produce hydrogen cyanide and solubilize phosphate. Seven isolates showed aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity and differentially synthesized indole-3-acetic acid. Using molecular tools, two promising symbiotic, drought stress tolerant, and plant growth-enhancing endophytic species (EORB-2 and EOLF-5) were identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa and Fusarium oxysporum. The results of this study demonstrate that P. polymyxa and F. oxysporum should be further investigated for their drought stress mitigation and plant growth enhancement effects as they have the potential to be developed for use in sustainable agricultural practices.


Introduction
Fluxes in environmental parameters predispose plant species to different types of abiotic stress, such as water deficit, salinity, heavy metal toxicity, high and low-temperature stress, UV radiation stress, and nutrient deficiency [1]. Generally, abiotic stress is detrimental to medicinal plants, influencing growth, development, and related metabolic pathways that are responsible for synthesizing valuable phytochemicals [2]. The consequences of drought stress are predicted to be more devastating in the coming decades [3]. Water scarcity is the most common and significant environmental issue affecting many regions of the world and is directly linked to other stress types, including salinity and heat stress [4]. In plants, severe drought stress causes water loss and stomatal closure, limits gaseous exchange, disrupts nutrient uptake, impairs metabolic activities and cell division, stimulates reactive oxygen species accumulation in cells, and can lead to cell damage or death [5].
The endophytic microbial community of the healthy roots and leaves of E. obtusifolius were evaluated using surface-sterilized explants cultivated on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and nutrient agar (NA; Figure 1). The two sterilization check methods, namely culturing aliquots of water from the last explants rinsed onto culture media and imprinting the sterilized explant surfaces onto nutrient media, were effective as no microbial growth was observed on the control culture plates. Thus, any isolates obtained from the plant material were considered endophytes. Colonies with different morphologies were selected and sub-cultured on newly prepared media, and 26 pure cultures were obtained. Six endophytic bacteria (designated as EORB-1 to EORB-6) and seven endophytic fungi (designated as EORF-1 to EORF-9) were obtained from the roots, and eight endophytic bacteria (designated as EOLF-1 to EOLF-9) and five endophytic fungi (designated as EOLF-1 to EOLF-5) were isolated from the leaves (Figures 2 and 3).

Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content Estimation
The total phenolics and flavonoids in the crude extracts of the endophytic isolates differed considerably. The total phenolic content of the extracts, expressed in gallic acid equivalents (GAE), ranged from 0.27 to 9.80 mg GAE/mg DW of extracts. The EOLF-5 extract had the highest total phenolic content (expressed in catechin equivalents (CE)), followed by EORF-1 and EORB-2 ( Table 1). The fungal isolate EORF-1 had the highest flavonoid content, and EOLB-5 had the lowest (Table 1).

The Water-Deficit Resistance Potential of Selected Endophytes
The eleven selected endophytic isolates resisted water-deficit stress initiated by the addition of 10-40% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 to broth media to varying degrees. A general decline in the optical density (OD) of all the endophytic isolates was observed as the concentration of PEG 6000 increased from 10% to 40%. At the highest concentration (40%) of PEG 6000, EORB-1, EORB-2, EORF-5, EOLF-1, and EOLF-5 exhibited significantly high OD values, indicating microbial cell multiplication and drought stress tolerance potency. There was a complete disruption in the growth of EORF-8 and EOLB-3 under the same conditions ( Figure 4). flavonoids and total phenolics, were further investigated for their drought tolerance and plant growth-promoting capacities.

The Water-Deficit Resistance Potential of Selected Endophytes
The eleven selected endophytic isolates resisted water-deficit stress initiated by the addition of 10-40% polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000 to broth media to varying degrees. A general decline in the optical density (OD) of all the endophytic isolates was observed as the concentration of PEG 6000 increased from 10% to 40%. At the highest concentration (40%) of PEG 6000, EORB-1, EORB-2, EORF-5, EOLF-1, and EOLF-5 exhibited significantly high OD values, indicating microbial cell multiplication and drought stress tolerance potency. There was a complete disruption in the growth of EORF-8 and EOLB-3 under the same conditions ( Figure 4).  Figure 4. The growth of selected endophytic isolates under non-stressed (0%) and water-deficit conditions treated with increasing (10-40%) PEG 6000 concentrations. Data are mean ± standard error of means (n = 3). Different letters within each PEG treatment show significant differences (p < 0.05) between the isolates.
A siderophore-producing capacity occurred in all the isolates, albeit to variable extents, as indicated by the formation of orange halo zones around the colonies on Chrome Azurol S (CAS) agar plates ( Table 2). EORB-2, EOLB-1, EOLF-1, and EOLF-5 exhibited the capacity to produce maximum siderophores, with EOLF-5 producing the largest halo zone around its colonies. . The growth of selected endophytic isolates under non-stressed (0%) and water-deficit conditions treated with increasing (10-40%) PEG 6000 concentrations. Data are mean ± standard error of means (n = 3). Different letters within each PEG treatment show significant differences (p < 0.05) between the isolates.

Molecular Identification of Endophytes
Following the molecular characterization of EORB-2 and EOLF-5, the bacterial isolate (EORB-2) was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa (MT163461.1) and the fungal endophyte (EOLF-5) was a close homolog of Fusarium oxysporum (MT560381.1). The BLAST results further revealed 100% and 99.6% identities of the bacterial and fungal endophytes with the rRNA sequences of the related species (Table 3). The assigned GenBank accession numbers of the submitted sequence data are presented in Table 3. A siderophore-producing capacity occurred in all the isolates, albeit to variable extents, as indicated by the formation of orange halo zones around the colonies on Chrome Azurol S (CAS) agar plates ( Table 2). EORB-2, EOLB-1, EOLF-1, and EOLF-5 exhibited the capacity to produce maximum siderophores, with EOLF-5 producing the largest halo zone around its colonies.
All the selected endophytic isolates, except EOLB-3, tested positive for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production ( Table 2). The picric acid pre-soaked filter papers placed underneath the incubated Petri-dish lids of the isolates changed from yellow to deep red or orange, indicating the ability of the isolates to produce HCN. EORB-2, EOLF-1, EOLF-3, and EOLF-5 were the highest producers ( Table 2).
Ten of the selected endophytic isolates solubilized tricalcium phosphate on Pikovskaya's agar (PVK) plates. These isolates produced halo zones around their colonies, indicating their phosphate solubilization potency ( (PSI) values ranged from 0.00 to 3.02 cm ( Figure 5B). The PSI value for isolate EOLF-3 was significantly higher than the PSI values of the other isolates.
Two of the six fungal isolates (EOLF-3 and EOLF-5) and all of the bacterial isolates utilized aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) as the exclusive nitrogen source. The ability of these isolates to grow on Dworkin and Foster (DF) minimal salt media supplemented with ACC confirmed their aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD) activity ( Table 2).

Molecular Identification of Endophytes
Following the molecular characterization of EORB-2 and EOLF-5, the bacterial isolate (EORB-2) was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa (MT163461.1) and the fungal endophyte (EOLF-5) was a close homolog of Fusarium oxysporum (MT560381.1). The BLAST results further revealed 100% and 99.6% identities of the bacterial and fungal endophytes with the rRNA sequences of the related species (Table 3). The assigned GenBank accession numbers of the submitted sequence data are presented in Table 3.

Endophytes Antagonistic Check Using Dual Culture Method
The isolates P. polymyxa (EORB-2) and F. oxysporum (EOLF-5) appeared to be compatible symbionts as they grew in vitro with minimal antagonism (Figure 6).

Endophytes Antagonistic Check Using Dual Culture Method
The isolates P. polymyxa (EORB-2) and F. oxysporum (EOLF-5) appeared to be compatible symbionts as they grew in vitro with minimal antagonism (Figure 6).

Discussion
A total of 14 bacterial and 12 fungal endophytes were isolated from the roots and leaves of the medicinal plant E. obtusifolius. This was similar to other medicinal plants. For example, 7 bacterial and 5 fungal endophytic species were isolated from the leaves of Teucrium polium [23], whereas 127 bacterial and 119 fungal endophytic strains were isolated from the roots, leaves, stems, and fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera [24]. The population of endophytes within the host depends on the host species, age, habitat and physiological

Discussion
A total of 14 bacterial and 12 fungal endophytes were isolated from the roots and leaves of the medicinal plant E. obtusifolius. This was similar to other medicinal plants. For example, 7 bacterial and 5 fungal endophytic species were isolated from the leaves of Teucrium polium [23], whereas 127 bacterial and 119 fungal endophytic strains were isolated from the roots, leaves, stems, and fruits of Schisandra sphenanthera [24]. The population of endophytes within the host depends on the host species, age, habitat and physiological status, the kind of plant tissues, sampling season, inoculum density, and prevailing environmental conditions [25].
In the present study, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents of ethyl acetate extracts of the isolated endophytic species varied significantly ( Table 1). The phenolics and flavonoids detected in the extracts of endophytic species were directly linked to the free radical scavenging abilities of the microbes [26] as was the case in the present study, where the endophytic species extracts with reasonable quantities of total phenolics and flavonoids showed good DPPH free radical scavenging activities (Table 1). Similarly, the methanolic extracts of the endophyte Eupenicillium senticosum had high phenolic and flavonoid contents and demonstrated promising in vitro antioxidant properties [27]. The antioxidant capacities of the endophytic fungal species isolated from Eugenia jambolana were directly proportional to their total phenolic content [28].
All the endophytes investigated in the present study resisted water stress at 20% PEG, with 82% of the endophytes exhibiting tolerance at 40% PEG ( Figure 2). Similarly, all 62 bacteria isolated from Lepidium perfoliatum [29], and 16 fungi endophytes isolated from Triticum aestivum [30] grew in media culture containing 20% PEG. However, unlike the fungi isolated from E. obtisufolius, the fungi isolated from wheat could not survive at a 40% PEG concentration [30]. The scarcity of water usually influences the growth pattern [31], function [32], and productivity [33] of microorganisms. Many plant species that are adapted to grow in dry or semi-arid conditions, such as E. obtusifolius, establish symbiotic relationships with drought-tolerant endophytes, which can survive under limited water availability and might benefit their host plant under drought conditions [34].
Plant-endophyte interactions confer abiotic and biotic stress resistance through the production of siderophore, ammonia, HCN, volatile compounds, hydrolytic enzymes, and plant growth regulators [35]. All isolates in this study produced ammonia ( Figure 5A, Table 2). The ammonia production capability of endophytes confers resistance in plants against pathogens and directly promotes plant growth through a continuous nitrogen supply [23]. All eleven investigated isolates tested positive for siderophore production in the present study (Table 2). In comparison, 75% of the bacterial isolates from cultivated ginseng produced siderophores [36]. Ten of the selected isolates in the present study showed HCN activity ( Table 2), suggesting their possible role as biocontrol agents to inhibit phytopathogens and weed proliferation [18].
Ten isolates investigated in the present study produced clear halo zones around their colonies, indicating their phosphate-solubilizing capacity ( Figure 5C). Phosphate solubilization and transportation within plants are essential traits of plant growth-promoting microorganisms. Inorganic phosphate-solubilizing microbes synthesize various enzymes and organic acids, release protons during ammonia assimilation, reduce pH, and chelate cations to release organic and soluble phosphorus to plants [37].
In this current study, EORB-2 and EOLF-5 produced the highest IAA among the bacterial and fungal isolates, respectively, suggesting their plant growth-promoting abilities. IAA is a naturally occurring auxin and a regulator of several developmental processes in plants, including tropisms, organogenesis, cell expansion, division and differentiation, root and pigment formation, mineral nutrition, and plant responses to stress [38]. The stimulation of growth by IAA-producing endophytes relies on the concentration of the IAA produced by the endophyte and the genetic makeup of both the plant and the endophyte involved [39].
In the present study, seven of the eleven investigated endophytes had ACCD activity ( Table 2). Many endophytic bacteria [40] and a few endophytic fungi [41] species possess the ACCD gene, which enables them to split the ethylene precursor ACC into ammonia and α-ketobutyrate, thereby improving the fitness of host plants to salinity, drought, heavy metals, and pathogenic attack [42]. Through their phytohormone regulation, osmolyte accumulation, synthesis of ACCD, antioxidants, and several biomolecules (exopolysaccharides), endophytic species tolerate changes in the osmotic potential of their immediate environments [14,43]. Like other stressors, drought enhances the production of the stress hormone ethylene in plants [44]. The inoculation of drought-tolerant and ACCD-producing endophytic species into drought-stress-susceptible plant species has improved the tolerance of stressed plants by reducing the ethylene concentrations within the cells [43,45].
The bacterial and fungal Isolates that exhibited the best plant growth-promoting traits in the present study were identified as P. polymyxa (EORB-2) and F. oxysporum (EOLF-5). Many studies have reported the isolation and characterization of bacterial and fungal endophytes from plants in the Mint (Lamiaceae) family. Specifically, F. oxysporum endophytic strains have been isolated and identified from Monarda citriodora [46], Leucas aspera, and Ocimum sanctum [47]. In contrast, P. polymyxa, to the best of our knowledge, has not been isolated from the Mint family but has been obtained from other medicinal plants, including Lonicera japonica [48], Lilium lancifolium [49], Ephedra foliate [50], and Panax ginseng [51]. As far as we know, this is the first report on the isolation, characterization, and in vitro plant growth-promoting activity of F. oxysporum and P. polymyxa obtained from E. obtusifolius.
There are inter-species relationships between endophytes in planta [52]. These interactions are governed by competition for space and resources and the nutrient derivation and plant tissue colonization efficiency of the competitors, with weaker endophytic competitors being deprived of specific nutrients and resources [53]. In the present study, there were no visible in vitro antagonistic interactions between P. polymyxa (EORB-2) and F. oxysporum (EOLF-5) (Figure 6), suggesting a possible mutual or related spatial habitation. In contrast, P. polymyxa has a strong antagonist relationship with many pathogenic Fusaria sp. [54,55].

Plant Sample Collection
Healthy and disease-free leaves and roots of E. obtusifolius plants were harvested from the Pietermaritzburg Campus Botanical Garden at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (latitude 29.625073; longitude 30.403557). The plant material was transferred to the laboratory in sterile biosafety plastic bags filled with ice.

Surface Sterilization and Isolation of Endophytes
The plant material was surface-sterilized following a modified procedure by [23]. The detached infection-free leaves and roots were cleaned under running tap water for 30 min to remove epiphytic microorganisms, dust, and other adhering soil particles. This was followed by washing with Tween 20 detergent (3 drops) for 1 min. Thereafter, the plant material was dipped in 0.1% carbendazim solution with constant agitation for 20 min and then washed four times with sterile distilled water. The root and leaf explants were separately immersed in 70% ethanol for 60 s, followed by a treatment in 2% sodium hypochloride for 60 s, then treated with 70% ethanol for 30 s and finally washed five times with sterile distilled water to remove all traces of the sterilizing agent from the explants. The explants were dried on sterile paper towels and dissected into 2 cm pieces.
Five pieces of the sterilized leaf and root explants were imprinted (pressed) onto freshly prepared Oxoid™ NA and PDA to ascertain the effectiveness of this sterilization protocol. In addition, aliquots (30 µL) of the sterile distilled water that was used in the final rinse of the explants were also plated onto the culture media. The success of the surface sterilization method was confirmed by the absence of microbial growth on the culture media.
The root and leaf explants were placed on agar plates to isolate the endophytes. Bacterial endophytes were isolated from the internal tissues of the sterilized root and leaf explants on freshly prepared NA [56] and incubated at 30 ± 2 • C for 3 days. Fungal endophytes were isolated from the explants on plates containing freshly prepared PDA amended with streptomycin (50 mg/mL) and incubated at 30 ± 2 • C for 7 days following a modified method described by [57]. After incubation, the endophytic bacterial colonies found adjacent to the explants and endophytic fungi filaments that emerged from the internal tissues were carefully transferred to fresh NA and PDA plates, respectively, and incubated as stated above. Pure cultures and sub-cultures were obtained and stored at 4 • C until further use. All sterilization and inoculation activities were performed aseptically on a laminar flow bench.

Extraction and Quantification of Secondary Metabolites from Endophytes
Microbial secondary metabolites were extracted from the isolated endophytic fungi and bacteria using ethyl acetate following the slightly modified methods described by [58] and [59], respectively. The total phenolic contents of the crude extracts obtained from the endophytes were quantified as described by [60], using gallic acid to prepare a standard curve. The total flavonoid contents of the crude extracts obtained from the endophytes were quantified as described by [60], using catechin to prepare a standard curve. There were three replicates per isolate.

Antioxidant Activity of Crude Extracts from Endophytes
The radical scavenging activities of the endophyte crude extracts were assayed in the DPPH radical scavenging assay using the protocol of [61], with BHT used as a negative control. There were three replicates per isolate.
The endophytic isolates of E. obtusifolius with free radical scavenging capabilities (low IC 50 values) and an appreciable quantity of secondary metabolites were further assessed for their drought stress tolerance and in vitro plant growth-promoting potential.

Screening of Endophytic Isolates for Drought Stress Tolerance
The in vitro drought stress tolerance of the selected endophytic isolates was evaluated following a modified method described by [62]. Briefly, the drought stress stimulator PEG 6000 was added to 50 mL Mueller Hinton Broth (MHB) for bacterial isolates and Yeast Malt Broth (YMB) for fungal isolates at various concentrations (0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% w/v). A loopful of each bacterial isolate was inoculated into the PEG-supplemented MHB and incubated on an orbital shaker (180 rpm) for 4 days at 25 ± 2 • C. A single disc of fungal isolates (about 1 cm) was excised from freshly prepared fungal isolates, inoculated in the PEG-amended YMB, and incubated at 25 ± 2 • C on an orbital shaker (180 rpm) for 10 days. After the incubation period, the growth of the microbial isolates at different water-deficit levels was estimated spectrophotometrically at OD 600 nm and compared to 0% PEG cultures. Endophytic isolates with high OD values were considered water stress-tolerant species. There were three replicates per treatment.

Evaluation of Plant Growth-Promoting Characteristics of Selected Endophytic Isolates
The results were qualitatively assessed and classified as having strong activity (+++), medium activity (++), low activity (+), or no activity (-). All tests were carried out in triplicate.

Ammonia Production
The production of ammonia by selected E. obtusifolius endophytic isolates was investigated using a modified protocol of [23], with Nessler's reagent in peptone broth. The concentration of ammonia was evaluated using the standard curve (y = 1.488x + 0.022) generated from the standard (ammonium sulfate), and the amount of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 was expressed in mM.

Siderophore Production
Siderophore production was qualitatively investigated for the bacterial and fungal endophytic isolates using a modified method of [63] with CAS agar. CAS-blue agar was prepared by dissolving 60.5 mg CAS in 50 mL distilled water, which was added to 10 mL iron (III) solution (1 mM FeCl 3 . 6H 2 O in 10 mM HCl). The mixture was gently mixed with 72.9 mg hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide dissolved in 40 mL distilled water. The resulting dark blue mixture was then autoclaved at 121 • C for 15 min. Simultaneously, a mixture of 30.24 g piperazine-N, N'-bis (2-ethanesulfonic acid) (PIPES), 15 g agar, 900 mL distilled water, and 50% (w/w) NaOH, where the pKa was adjusted to 6.8 with PIPES, was also autoclaved. Finally, the two mixtures were combined and gently agitated to avoid foaming, and thereafter, poured aseptically into plates. Upon solidification, freshly prepared selected bacterial cultures and 1 cm discs of fungal isolates excised from the growing hyphal tips were spot-inoculated in their respective plates and incubated for 7 days at 25 ± 2 • C. The appearance of a yellow/orange or purple halo around the microbial colonies was regarded as a positive result for siderophore production.

HCN Production
The ability of the selected endophytic bacteria and fungi to synthesize hydrogen cyanide was evaluated based on the method of [64]. Each bacterial culture was streaked on Petri dishes containing Luria Bertani agar supplemented with 4.4 g/L of glycine. Similarly, for each of the fungal isolates, mycelial discs were aseptically placed on plates containing PDA augmented with 4.4 g/L of glycine.

Phosphate Solubilization Activity
The phosphate solubilization capability of the selected endophytic bacteria and fungi was measured in triplicate using the method of [65] with Pikovskaya's (PVK) agar. Inoculated plates were incubated at 27 ± 2 • C for 7 days and closely monitored for the development of clear zones around the bacterial and fungal colonies. The phosphate solubilizing index (PSI) was calculated using the formula of [66]. PSI = Colony diameter + Clear zone diameter/Colony diameter 4.6.5. IAA Production The modified method of [67] was used to assay the IAA production of the selected bacterial and fungal endophytes.

ACCD Activity
The selected bacterial and fungal endophytic isolates were evaluated for their ability to use ACC as their exclusive source of nitrogen using a modified protocol of [68] using DF minimal salts agar augmented with 3 mM ACC.

Molecular Identification of Endophytes
The two dominant endophytic species from the isolates that had promising in vitro plant growth-promoting properties and drought stress tolerance were identified using molecular tools. The fungus (EOLF5) was grown in PDA media at 27 ± 2 • C for 7 days, after which the fungal mycelia was carefully scraped out and suspended in autoclaved distilled water under sterile conditions. DNA extraction and purification were performed using a Quick-DNA Fungal/Bacterial Kit (Zymo Research, India) following the manufacturer's instructions. The universal ITS regions (partial sequences of the 18S and 28S recombinant deoxyribose nucleic acid (rRNA) and complete sequences of 5.8S rDNA, ITS1, and ITS2) genes of the fungus were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the ITS primers ITS1-5 -TCC GTA GGT GAA CCT GCG G-3 (forward primer) and ITS4-5 -TCC TCC GCTTAT TGA TAT GC-3 (reverse primer). Each reaction mixture contained 1 µL extracted DNA in 20 µL PCR reaction mixture. PCR was performed using a thermocycler under the following conditions: minimum initial denaturation at 94 • C, 35 cycles of 30 s denaturation at 94 • C, 30 s minimum annealing at 50 • C and 1 min extension at 68 • C, and 5 min final extension at 68 • C.
The DNA of the bacteria (EORB2) was extracted and purified using the same method as for the fungal species. The PCR composition was the same as mentioned above except that the primers were 907-R and 1492-R. PCR was performed using a thermocycler with the following conditions: 5 min initial denaturation at 95 • C, 30 cycles of 1 min denaturation at 94 • C, 1 min annealing at 55 • C and 1.5 min extension at 72 • C, and 10 min final extension at 72 • C.
The amplified products were electrophoresed in 1% w/v agarose gel electrophoresis with (CSL-AG500, Cleaver Scientific Ltd., Rugby, UK) stained with EZ-vision ® Blue light DNA Dye. The cleaned products were injected into an Applied Biosystems ABI 3500XL Genetic Analyzer or Applied Biosystems ABI 3730XL Genetic Analyzer with a 50 cm array, using POP7. The sequence chromatogram analysis was performed using Finch TV analysis software and Bio Edit Sequence Alignment Editor v.7.0. The amplified sequence was deposited in the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database (http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/BLAST, accessed on 23 November 2022). The sequences thus obtained were submitted to GenBank for their accession numbers.

Endophyte Antagonistic Check Using Dual Culture Method
The two endophytes (EORB-2 and EOLF-5) that exhibited the best in vitro plant growth-promoting potential and drought stress tolerance were evaluated for any possible incompatible growth pattern against each other on PDA plates using the dual antagonistic culture method described by [69]. A 5 mm disc of the fungal isolate was aseptically laid in the middle of the PDA plate, and the bacterial isolate was inoculated at an equal distance from the plate periphery. The organisms were incubated for 7 days at 27 ± 2 • C and observed for any inhibition zone. Compatibility between the two organisms was confirmed by the absence of an inhibition zone, while the establishment of an inhibition zone indicated antagonism between the species. The experiment was conducted in triplicate, and the control plates were inoculated with either of the organisms.

Statistical Analysis
Numerical data obtained from the different assays in this study were analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GraphPad Prism 7 (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA), and the results are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the means of triplicates. The significance of the means was calculated using Duncan's multiple range test with p values < 0.05.

Conclusions
This study revealed that E. obtusifolius, naturally found in semi-arid areas, hosts a diverse group of fungal and bacterial endophytes. A total of 26 endophytes (fourteen bacteria and twelve fungi) were isolated from the roots and leaves of E. obtusifolius. These endophytic species displayed varying in vitro plant growth-promoting and drought stress tolerance capacities. The two most promising water stress-tolerant and plant growthenhancing endophytic species, namely P. polymyxa and F. oxysporum, were identified using molecular tools. These two species did not display any form of hostility in the in vitro dual culture experiment. Thus, the data from this study indicate that the inoculation (individually or in combination) of P. polymyxa and F. oxysporum into plants could potentially promote plant growth and enhance the host's tolerance to water stress. The characterization and identification P. polymyxa and F. oxysporum from E. obtusifolius elucidated the nature of endophytes residing in the endosphere of medicinal plants and suggests their possible potential as efficient environmentally friendly bio-inoculants for the sustainable cultivation of indigenous plants.