Whole-genome sequences of three halotolerant Bacillus strains isolated from the rhizosphere of halophyte plants in Tunisia

Three halotolerant Bacillus strains were isolated from the rhizosphere of halophyte plants growing in saline environments, specifically from Sebkhet Kelbia, located in the semi-arid region of Tunisia. These strains are of particular interest due to their potential role in enhancing plant growth and tolerance under salt stress, thereby contributing to sustainable saline agriculture and soil remediation. Previously, partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing indicated that the isolates belong to the genus Bacillus. Here, we report their whole-genome sequences obtained using Illumina 250 bp paired-end sequencing. Genome analysis assigned strain 1 to Bacillus subtilis, and strains 2 and 3 to Bacillus cereus. The reads were assembled into 45, 21, and 22 contigs, with average coverage of 85.3x, 84.8x, and 56.9x, and total genome lengths of 4,787,672 bp, 5,732,988 bp, and 5,732,039 bp for strains 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The GC contents were 44.13 % for strain 1 and 35 % for strains 2 and 3. The genomic data generated in this study provide a valuable resource for further studies on molecular mechanisms underlying plant growth promotion and the role of halotolerant PGPR in improving plant adaptation to extreme environmental conditions.