Evaluation of rhizobacterial isolates from Argentina, Uruguay and Chile for plant growth-promoting characteristics and antagonistic activity towards Rhizoctonia sp. and Macrophomina sp. in vitro

► The number of Gram positive bacteria isolated was higher than that of Gram negative. ► The study is the first report of a strain from the genus Janibacter with PGPR attributes. ► The number and type of PGPR traits can change in the post-planting samplings. ► The PGPR effects would not be associated to a single genotype of wide distribution.