ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PHYLLOSPHERE BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH GUIERA SENEGALENSIS IN A TYPICAL SAVANNA REGION

ABSTRACT The phyllosphere the aerial surface of plants is an important ecological niche for diverse microbial communities, particularly bacteria that play vital roles in plant health, nutrient cycling, and stress adaptation. Guiera senegalensis, a resilient shrub endemic to the West African savanna, is known for its ecological, medicinal, and environmental significance. This study aimed to isolate and identify the bacterial communities associated with the phyllosphere of G. senegalensis in a typical savanna environment. Fresh leaf samples were collected aseptically from naturally growing G. senegalensis shrubs. The surface-associated bacteria were isolated using standard serial dilution and culturing techniques on nutrient agar. Distinct colonies were purified and characterized using morphological observation, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Further identification was conducted using 16S rRNA gene sequencing to establish the taxonomic identity of selected isolates. Preliminary results revealed a diverse array of bacterial species, dominated by members of the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Micrococcus, among others. These isolates are known for their potential roles in plant growth promotion, nitrogen fixation, and pathogen suppression. The findings highlight the functional potential of G. senegalensis phyllospheremicrobiota in enhancing plant resilience under savanna conditions. This study contributes to the understanding of native microbial biodiversity and provides a basis for further exploration of phyllosphere bacteria as bioresources for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem restoration in semi-arid environment.