Interactions with native microbial keystone taxa enhance the biocontrol efficiency of Streptomyces

BACKGROUND

Streptomyces spp. are known for producing bioactive compounds that suppress phytopathogens. However, previous studies have largely focused on their direct interactions with pathogens and plants, often neglecting their interactions with the broader soil microbiome. In this study, we hypothesized that these interactions are critical for effective pathogen control. We investigated a diverse collection of Streptomyces strains to select those with strong protective capabilities against tomato wilt disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum. Leveraging a synthetic community (SynCom) established in our lab, alongside multiple in planta and in vitro co-cultivation experiments, as well as transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we explored the synergistic inhibitory mechanisms underlying bacterial wilt resistance facilitated by both Streptomyces and the soil microbiome.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that direct antagonism by Streptomyces is not sufficient for their biocontrol efficacy. Instead, the efficacy was associated with shifts in the rhizosphere microbiome, particularly the promotion of two native keystone taxa, CSC98 (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) and CSC13 (Paenibacillus cellulositrophicus). In vitro co-cultivation experiments revealed that CSC98 and CSC13 did not directly inhibit the pathogen. Instead, the metabolite of CSC13 significantly enhanced the inhibition efficiency of Streptomyces R02, a highly effective biocontrol strain in natural soil. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that CSC13's metabolites induced the production of Erythromycin E in Streptomyces R02, a key compound that directly suppressed R. solanacearum, as demonstrated by our antagonism tests.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our study reveals how beneficial microbes engage with the native soil microbiome to combat pathogens, suggesting the potential of leveraging microbial interactions to enhance biocontrol efficiency. These findings highlight the significance of intricate microbial interactions within the microbiome in regulating plant diseases and provide a theoretical foundation for devising efficacious biocontrol strategies in sustainable agriculture. Video Abstract.

The Structural and Functional Responses of Rhizosphere Bacteria to Biodegradable Microplastics in the Presence of Biofertilizers

Biodegradable microplastics (Bio-MPs) are a hot topic in soil research due to their potential to replace conventional microplastics. Biofertilizers are viewed as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers in agriculture due to their potential to enhance crop yields and food safety. The use of both can have direct and indirect effects on rhizosphere microorganisms. However, the influence of the coexistence of "Bio-MPs and biofertilizers" on rhizosphere microbial characteristics remains unclear. We investigated the effects of coexisting biofertilizers and Bio-MPs on the structure, function, and especially the carbon metabolic properties of crop rhizosphere bacteria, using a pot experiment in which polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) were used as a reference. The results showed that the existence of both microplastics (MPs) changed the physicochemical properties of the rhizosphere soil. Exposure to MPs also remarkably changed the composition and diversity of rhizosphere bacteria. The network was more complex in the Bio-MPs group. Additionally, metagenomic analyses showed that PE-MPs mainly affected microbial vitamin metabolism. Bio-MPs primarily changed the pathways related to carbon metabolism, such as causing declined carbon fixation/degradation and inhibition of methanogenesis. After partial least squares path model (PLS-PM) analysis, we observed that both materials influenced the rhizosphere environment through the bacterial communities and functions. Despite the degradability of Bio-MPs, our findings confirmed that the coexistence of biofertilizers and Bio-MPs affected the fertility of the rhizosphere. Regardless of the type of plastic, its use in soil requires an objective and scientifically grounded approach.

Trinickia violacea sp. nov. and Trinickia terrae sp. nov., isolated from forest soil

Two Gram-stain negative, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterial strains, DHOD12T and 7GSK02T, were isolated from forest soil of Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, Guangdong Province, PR China. Strain DHOD12T grew at 4-42 °C (optimum, 28-33 °C), pH 4.0-8.5 (optimum, pH 5.5-6.5) and in the presence of 0-1.5 % (w/v; optimum, 0-0.5 %)NaCl; while strain 7GSK02T grew at 12-42 °C (optimum, 28-33 °C), pH 4.0-8.5 (optimum, pH 5.0-6.0) and in the presence of 0-0.5 % (w/v; optimum, 0 %) NaCl. Strains DHOD12T and 7GSK02T had the highest 16S rRNA sequence similarities of 98.0 and 98.3 % with the same species Trinickia mobilis DHG64T, respectively, and 98.4 % between themselves. In the 16S rRNA phylogeny, they formed a clade that was sister to a major cluster consisting of all described Trinickia species. Phylogenomic analyses with the UBCG and PhyloPhlAn methods consistently showed that strains DHOD12T and 7GSK02T formed a clade with T. mobilis DHG64T that was a sister of a cluster containing the remainder of the Trinickia species. The DNA G+C contents of strains DHOD12T and 7GSK02T were 63.1 and 64.6 mol%, respectively. Digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values of strains DHOD12T, 7GSK02T and their closely related strains were in the ranges of 21.6-31.4 % and 77.1-86.9 %, respectively. These two strains had the same major respiratory quinone, ubiquinone-8, and both had C16 : 0, C17 : 0 cyclo and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1  ω7c/C18 : 1  ω6c) as their major fatty acids. Their major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and diphosphatidylglycerol. Genomic analysis indicated that the two strains could have the potential to degrade aromatic compounds like other Trinickia species. On the basis of phenotypic and phylogenetic results, strains DHOD12T and 7GSK02T represent two novel species of the genus Trinickia, for which the names Trinickia violacea sp. nov. (type strain DHOD12T=LMG 30258T=CGMCC 1.15436T) and Trinickia terrae sp. nov. (type strain 7GSK02T=CGMCC 1.15432T=KCTC 62468T) are proposed.

Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria from Paddy Field Soils in Japan

Phosphorus (P) is abundant in soil and is essential for plant growth and development; however, it is easily rendered insoluble in complexes of different types of phosphates, which may lead to P deficiency. Therefore, increases in the amount of P released from phosphate minerals using microbial inoculants is an important aspect of agriculture. The present study used inorganic phosphate solubilizing bacteria (iPSB) in paddy field soils to develop microbial inoculants. Soils planted with rice were collected from different regions of Japan. Soil P was sequentially fractionated using the Hedley method. iPSB were isolated using selective media supplemented with tricalcium phosphate (Ca-P), aluminum phosphate (Al-P), or iron phosphate (Fe-P). Representative isolates were selected based on the P solubilization index and soil sampling site. Identification was performed using 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing. Effectiveness was screened based on rice cultivar Koshihikari growth supplemented with Ca-P, Al-P, or Fe-P as the sole P source. Despite the relatively homogenous soil pH of paddy field sources, three sets of iPSB were isolated, suggesting the influence of fertilizer management and soil types. Most isolates were categorized as β-Proteobacteria (43%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the genera Pleomorphomonas, Rhodanobacter, and Trinickia as iPSB. Acidovorax sp. JC5, Pseudomonas sp. JC11, Burkholderia sp. JA6 and JA10, Sphingomonas sp. JA11, Mycolicibacterium sp. JF5, and Variovorax sp. JF6 promoted plant growth in rice supplemented with an insoluble P source. The iPSBs obtained may be developed as microbial inoculants for various soil types with different P fixation capacities.

Streptomyces montanus sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-C151T, was isolated from soil collected from Mount Song and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that strain NEAU-C151T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and exhibited 97.5, 97.4 and 97.4 % similarities to Streptomyces lincolnensis NRRL 2936T, Streptomyces coacervatus AS-0823T, and Streptomyces longisporus ISP 5166T, respectively. The assignment of strain NEAU-C151T to the genus Streptomyces was confirmed by chemotaxonomic data: anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 1 (ω7c) and anteiso-C17 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids; whole-cell sugars contained ribose and glucose; phospholipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), unidentified phospholipid (PL), unidentified lipids (L) and phosphatidylinositol mannoside (PIM); the menaquinones were MK-9(H4), MK-9(H6), MK-10(H2) and MK-9(H8). However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five other house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB, and trpB), DNA–DNA relatedness and phenotypic data showed that strain NEAU-C151T could be distinguished from its closest relatives. Consequently, strain NEAU-C151T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces , for which the name Streptomyces montanus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-C151T (=CGMCC 4.7498T=DSM 107808T).

Rhodobacter xinxiangensis sp. nov., isolated from pakchoi-cultivated soil contaminated with heavy metal and its potential to reduce Cd and Pb accumulation in pakchoi (Brassica campestris L.)

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, and motile strain, TJ48^T, was isolated from pakchoi-cultivated soil contaminated with Cd and Pb in Xinxiang (China). Cells of the strain were rod-shaped and colonies on LB agar were faint yellow. Strain TJ48^T was positive for catalase and oxidase and the optimal condition for growth was 28 °C, with 1% (w/v) NaCl and at pH 7.0. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain TJ48^T was closely related to the genus Rhodobacter and the closest relatives were Rhodobacter ovatus JA234^T (97.4%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Rhodobacter azotoformans KA25^T (96.5%). The DNA G + C content of strain TJ48^T was 64.7 mol%. Genome-to-genome distance calculations (GGDC) and ANIb values from genomic comparison between the genomes of strain TJ48^T and the related reference species were less than 70% and 95%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c) and C_17:0. The only isoprenoid quinone detected was Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10). The polar lipid profile contains diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid, one unidentified phospholipids, and three unidentified lipids. Strain TJ48^T significantly increased the dry weight of roots (26.2-66.3%) and shoots (16.7-37.8%) of pakchoi and reduced the Cd (50.2-60.1%) and Pb (55.6-60.9%) contents in pakchoi shoots and roots. On the basis of the physiological, genotypic and genomic characteristics, the strain TJ48^T represent a novel species of the genus Rhodobacter, and the name Rhodobacter xinxiangensis sp. nov. is proposed (type strain TJ48^T = CCTCC AB2019120^T = KCTC 72510^T).

Herbidospora galbida sp. nov., a novel actinobacterium isolated from soil

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-GS14^T, was isolated from soil of a flower bed in a residential area in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain coincided with members of the genus Herbidospora. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-GS14^T belongs to the genus Herbidospora and was most closely related to Herbidospora daliensis JCM 18061^T (98.8 %), other type strains of species of the genus Herbidospora were found to be less than 98.7 %. Phylogenetic analysis using the 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the strain formed a cluster with Herbidospora daliensis JCM 18061^T. Cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid as the major diamino acid and the whole-cell hydrolysates were glucose, madurose and ribose. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipids and two phosphatidylinositol mannosides. The predominant menaquinone was MK-10(H₄). Major fatty acids were 10-methly C_17 : 0 and C_17 : 0, these chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain NEAU-GS14^T to the genus Herbidospora. The DNA G+C content was 70.6 mol%. Furthermore, the strain could be clearly distinguished by digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values and some phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-GS14^T represents a novel species of the genus Herbidospora, for which the name Herbidospora galbida sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-GS14^T (=CCTCC AA 2018040^T=JCM 33459^T).

Cryobacterium tepidiphilum sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of lettuce (var. ramosa Hort.)

A Gram-stain positive, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain NEAU-85T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of lettuce and characterised using a polyphasic approach. Strain NEAU-85T was found to be catalase positive, motile and able to grow at between 10 and 30 °C. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NEAU-85T belongs to the genus Cryobacterium and is closely related to the type strain Cryobacterium psychrotolerans JCM 13925T (98.5%) and also to Leifsonia kafniensis NCCB 100216T (97.6%). Multilocus sequence analysis using the concatenated gene sequences of the atpD, dnaK, recA, rpoB, sevY and ychF genes showed that strain NEAU-85T belongs to the genus Cryobacterium. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values revealed that strain NEAU-85T is distinct from its close phylogenetic neighbour C. psychrotolerans. The menaquinones were identified as MK-10 and MK-11. The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phospholipid, an unidentified glycolipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0, anteiso-C15:1 and iso-C16:0. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain NEAU-85T was determined to be 68.9 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between them was less than 70%. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic data, strain NEAU-85T can be concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Cryobacterium, for which the name Cryobacterium tepidiphilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-85T (= CCTCC AA 2018035T = JCM 32545T).

Antifungal, Plant Growth-Promoting, and Genomic Properties of an Endophytic Actinobacterium Streptomyces sp. NEAU-S7GS2

Diseases caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum have caused severe losses of many economically important crops worldwide. Due to the long-term persistence of sclerotia in soil and the production of air-borne ascospores, synthetic fungicides play limited roles in controlling the diseases. The application of antagonistic microorganisms can effectively reduce the number of sclerotia and eventually eradicate S. sclerotiorum from soil, and therefore considerable interest has been focused on biological control. Streptomyces sp. NEAU-S7GS2 was isolated from the root of Glycine max and its rhizosphere soil. It showed significant inhibitory activity against the mycelial growth of S. sclerotiorum (99.1%) and completely inhibited sclerotia germination. Compared to the control, in the pot experiment the application of NEAU-S7GS2 not only demonstrated excellent potential to control sclerotinia stem rot of soybean with 77 and 38% decrease in disease incidence and disease index, respectively, but could promote the growth of soybean. The light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that co-culture of NEAU-S7GS2 with S. sclerotiorum on potato dextrose agar could lead to contorted and fragmented mycelia of S. sclerotiorum, which was associated with the secretion of hydrolytic glucanase and cellulase and the production of active secondary metabolites by NEAU-S7GS2. The plant growth promoting activity of NEAU-S7GS2 was related to the solubilization of inorganic phosphate, and production of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase and indole acetic acid (IAA). To further explore the plant growth promoting and antifungal mechanisms, the complete genome of strain NEAU-S7GS2 was sequenced. Several genes associated with ammonia assimilation, phosphate solubilization and IAA synthesis, together with genes encoding ACC deaminase, glucanase and α-amylase, were identified. AntiSMASH analysis led to the identification of four gene clusters responsible for the biosynthesis of siderophores including desferrioxamine B and enterobactin. Moreover, the biosynthetic gene clusters of lydicamycins, phenazines, and a glycosylated polyol macrolide showing 88% gene similarity to PM100117/PM100118 were identified. These results suggested that strain NEAU-S7GS2 may be a potential biocontrol agent and biofertilizer used in agriculture.

Kribbella jiaozuonensis sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain NEAU-THZ27^T, was isolated from soil collected from the Cornel peak in Jiaozuo, Henan Province, PR China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics of the strain coincided with those of members of the genusKribbella. The results of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-THZ27^T belongs to the genus Kribbella and was most closely related to Kribbella podocarpi YPL1^T (98.96 %), Kribbella karoonensis Q41^T (98.89 %), Kribbella aluminosa HKI 0478^T (98.86%) and Kribbella hippodromi S1.4^T (98.85 %), similarities to other type strains of species of the genus Kribbella were found to be less than 98.7 %. Phylogenetic analyses using the 16S rRNA gene sequence and multilocus sequence analysis using the concatenated gene sequences of the gyrB, rpoB, recA, relA and atpD genes all showed that the strain formed a separate branch in the genus Kribbella. The cell wall contained ll-diaminopimelic acid as the major diamino acid and the whole-cell hydrolysates were ribose and glucose. The major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylinositol. The predominant menaquinone was MK-9(H₄). Major fatty acids were iso-C_16 : 0, iso-C_14 : 0 and anteiso-C_15 : 0, these chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain NEAU-THZ27^T to the genus Kribbella. The DNA G+C content was 68.0 mol%. Furthermore, the strain could be clearly distinguished by concatenated gene genetic distances, the combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics. Therefore, it is proposed that strain NEAU-THZ27^T represents a novel species of the genus Kribbella, for which the name Kribbella jiaozuonensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-THZ27^T (=CGMCC 4.7504^T=DSM 105535^T).

Agromyces tardus sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from the rhizosphere soil of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

A Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, heterotrophic, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped strain, designated SJ-23^T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) collected from Langfang, Hebei Province, central PR China and characterized using a polyphasic approach. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with those of members of the genus Agromyces. The polar lipids consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, glycolipid and three unidentified lipids. The predominant menaquinones detected were MK-12, MK-11 and MK-10. Major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C_17 : 0, anteiso-C_15 : 0 and iso-C_16 : 0. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain SJ-23^T belongs to the genus Agromyces with high sequence similarities to Agromyces ramosus DSM 43045^T (99.2 %), Agromycescerinussubsp. cerinus DSM 8595^T (98.8 %) and Agromyces cerinussubsp. nitratus DSM 8596^T (98.6 %). Results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a separate branch in the genus Agromyces. Furthermore, the combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain SJ-23^T could be distinguished from its closest relatives. Therefore, it is proposed that strain SJ-23^T represents a novel species of the genus Agromyces, for which the name Agromycestardus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SJ-23^T (=CGMCC 4.7419^T=DSM 105049^T).

Characterization of Sinomonas gamaensis sp. nov., a Novel Soil Bacterium with Antifungal Activity against Exserohilum turcicum

A novel Gram staining positive, aerobic bacterium NEAU-HV1^T that exhibits antifungal activity against Exserohilum turcicum was isolated from a soil collected from Gama, Hadjer lamis, Chad. It was grown at 10–45 °C (optimum 30 °C), pH 5–10 (optimum pH 8), and 0–4% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain NEAU-HV1^T was closely related to Sinomonas susongensis A31^T (99.24% sequence similarity), Sinomonas humi MUSC 117^T (98.76%), and Sinomonas albida LC13^T (98.68%). The average nucleotide identity values between NEAU-HV1^T and its most closely related species were 79.34−85.49%. The digital DNA–DNA hybridization values between NEAU-HV1^T and S. susongensis A31^T, S. albida LC13^T, and S. humi MUSC 117^T were 23.20, 23.50, and 22.80%, respectively, again indicating that they belonged to different taxa. The genomic DNA G+C content was 67.64 mol%. The whole cell sugars contained galactose, mannose, and rhamnose. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and four glycolipids. The respiratory quinone system comprised MK-9(H₂), MK-10(H₂), and MK-8(H₂). The major cellular fatty acids (>5%) were anteiso-C_15:0, anteiso-C_17:0, C_16:0, and iso-C_15:0. Based on the polyphasic analysis, it is suggested that the strain NEAU-HV1^T represents a novel species of the genus Sinomonas, for which the name Sinomonas gamaensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-HV1^T (= DSM 104514^T = CCTCC M 2017246^T).