Response of Fusarium pseudograminearum to Biocontrol Agent Bacillus velezensis YB-185 by Phenotypic and Transcriptome Analysis

Effect of dichloromethanolic fraction obtained from the medicinal plant Scutellaria luteocaerulea on growth, reactive oxygen species, and some virulence factors of Fusarium spp. associated with bread wheat diseases

Dichlomethane (DCM) extract from the roots of Scutellaria luteocaerulea (skullcap) showed in vitro antifungal activity against Fusarium pseudograminearum and Fusarium culmorum, with IC50 values of 550 and 450 μg mL-1, respectively. Additionally, the effects of S. luteocaerulea on hyphal structures of the pathogens, spore germination, and mycelial growth were studied. According to the data obtained, the extract of S. luteocaerulea inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of both pathogens tested. Additionally, the pathogens hyphae and spores were deformed when treated with the extract of S. luteocaerulea. Induced apoptotic characteristics were detected in both pathogens via the addition of the DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea into the culture. The DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in both pathogens, as a characteristic of apoptosis. Activities of cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) and production of deoxynivalenol (DON) were reduced. Also, the effect of the DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea was investigated on the severity of Fusarium crown rot (FCR) and Fusarium head blight (FHB) diseases caused by both fungi on bread wheat. Plants treated with the DCM fraction of S. luteocaerulea showed an increased 1000-grain weight and decreased disease progress in greenhouse conditions. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that the fraction had high concentration of wogonin. Therefore, the DCM fraction obtained from S. luteocaerulea could potentially be used in the future to protect wheat plants against F. pseudograminearum and F. culmorum.

The Antifungal Activity and Mechanism of Dehydroabietic Acid Against Alternaria alternata Causing Poplar Leaf Spot

Dehydroabietic acid (DHA) is a secondary metabolite isolated from rosin, which has certain antifungal activity, but its inhibitory effects against Alternaria alternata are unclear. In the present study, we found that DHA inhibited the mycelial growth of A. alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Valsa mali, Pestalotiopsis neglecta, and Fusarium oxysporum in a concentration-dependent manner, with the best inhibitory effect against A. alternata. Moreover, DHA can also inhibit the spore germination of A. alternata. Then, in vivo inoculation experiments showed that the leaf lesions of Populus alba gradually decreased with the increase in DHA concentration. The disease of P. alba leaves inoculated with A. alternata was not obvious after treatment with 800 mg/L DHA. The scanning electron microscopy showed that the mycelial morphology was abnormal, with crinkles and depressions. Meanwhile, the relative conductivity, soluble protein content, malondialdehyde content and hydrogen peroxide content of A. alternata were significantly increased after DHA treatment, which affected the integrity of the cell membrane and increased the permeability of A. alternata, resulting in a large leakage of intracellular substances, exacerbating the degree of lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane of A. alternata and causing oxidative damage to cells. The enzyme activity assay showed that treatment with 56.015 mg/L (EC50) DHA significantly reduced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase) and cell-wall-degrading enzymes (endoglucanase, polygalacturonase, pectin lyase) in A. alternata (p < 0.05), resulting in a decrease in the activity of pathogenic fungi, as well as a reduction in the ability of the A. alternata to degrade the cell wall of the host plant, which led to a decrease in the ability of the A. alternata to infest the host plant. Moreover, the decrease in the relative expression of defense-related enzyme genes (AaSOD, AaPOD, AaCAT) and pathogenicity-related enzyme genes (AaPL, AaPG) was consistent with the enzyme activity results. Thus, the present study revealed the fungicidal activity and mechanism of DHA against A. alternata and the potential of DHA to be developed as a plant-derived antifungal agent was established.

Antifungal efficacy and mechanisms of Bacillus licheniformis BL06 against Ceratocystis fimbriata

Sweet potato black rot caused by the pathogenic fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata is a destructive disease that can result in severe agricultural losses. This study explores the antifungal efficacy and underlying mechanisms of Bacillus licheniformis BL06 against C. fimbriata. The plate antagonism assay revealed that BL06 significantly suppressed the radial growth of C. fimbriata mycelia, achieving inhibition rates of 39.53%, 53.57%, 64.38%, and 69.11% after 7, 10, 13, and 16 days, respectively. In vivo experiments demonstrated that BL06-treated sweet potato tissues exhibited markedly smaller lesions than the control, indicating effective suppression of black rot. Microscopic observations indicated that BL06 treatment altered the morphology and activity of C. fimbriata mycelia, causing swelling and deformation. Additionally, BL06 markedly reduced spore production and germination in a dose-dependent manner, with complete inhibition observed at the highest concentrations tested. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of BL06 was identified as the primary antifungal agent, achieving an inhibition rate of 76.11% on mycelial growth. Transcriptome analysis of C. fimbriata treated with BL06 CFS revealed significant downregulation of genes involved in cell wall and membrane biosynthesis, spore development, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and energy metabolism. These findings suggest that BL06 is a potent biocontrol agent against C. fimbriata, exerting its effects through multiple molecular pathways.

Unveiling the multifaceted potential of Pseudomonas khavaziana strain SR9: a promising biocontrol agent for wheat crown rot

Fusarium pseudograminearum, a soil-borne fungus, is the cause of the devastating wheat disease known as wheat crown rot (WCR). The persistence of this pathogen in the soil and crop residues contributes to the increased occurrence and severity of WCR. Therefore, developing effective strategies to prevent and manage WCR is of great importance. In this study, we isolated a bacterial strain, designated as SR9, from the stem of wheat, that exhibited potent antagonistic effects against F. pseudograminearum, as well as the biocontrol efficacy of SR9 on WCR was quantified at 83.99% ± 0.11%. We identified SR9 as Pseudomonas khavaziana and demonstrated its potential as a plant probiotic. SR9 displayed broad-spectrum antagonism against other fungal pathogens, including Neurospora dictyophora, Botrytis californica, and Botryosphaeria dothidea. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed that SR9 harbored genes encoding various cell wall-degrading enzymes, cellulases, and lipases, along with antifungal metabolites, which are responsible for its antagonistic activity. Gene knockout and quantitative PCR analyses reveal that phenazine is the essential factor for antagonism. SR9 possessed genes related to auxin synthesis, flagellar biosynthesis, biofilm adhesion, and the chemotaxis system, which play pivotal roles in plant colonization and growth promotion; we also evaluated the effects of SR9 on plant growth in wheat and Arabidopsis. Our findings strongly suggest that SR9 holds great promise as a biocontrol agent for WCR in sustainable agriculture.IMPORTANCEThe escalating prevalence of wheat crown rot, primarily attributed to Fusarium pseudograminearum, necessitates the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly biocontrol strategies. While plant endophytes are recognized for their biocontrol potential, reports on effective strains targeting wheat crown rot are sparse. This study introduces the Pseudomonas khavaziana SR9 strain as an efficacious antagonist to the wheat crown rot pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum. Demonstrating a significant reduction in wheat crown rot incidence and notable plant growth promotion, SR9 emerges as a key contributor to plant health and agricultural sustainability. Our study outlines a biological approach to tackle wheat crown rot, establishing a groundwork for innovative sustainable agricultural practices.

Antimicrobial mechanisms and antifungal activity of compounds generated by banana rhizosphere Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-2 against fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense

Introduction

Fusarium wilt of banana, also recognized as Panama disease, is caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (FOC TR4). In recent years, strategies utilizing biocontrol agents, comprising antifungal microorganisms and their associated bioactive compounds from various environments, have been implemented to control this destructive disease. Our previous study showed that Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-2 had significant antifungal effects against FOC TR4. However, there has been little scientific investigation of the antibacterial or antifungal activity. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and evaluate the inhibition strength of active compounds in P. aeruginosa Gxun-2, so as to explain the mechanism of the strain inhibition on FOC TR4 from the perspective of compounds.

Methods

The main antibacterial compounds of strain Gxun-2 were isolated, purified and identified using by fermentation extraction, silica gel column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The effect of the compounds on the mycelial growth, morphology and spore germination of strain FOC TR4 was observed by 96-well plate method and AGAR diffusion method.

Results

Among the metabolites produced by the strain, four antifungal compounds which were identified phenazine (C12H8N2), phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) (C13H8N2O2), 2-acetamidophenol (C8H9NO2) and aeruginaldehyde (C10H7NO2S) were identified through HPLC and NMR. Of these compounds, phenazine and PCA exhibited the most pronounced inhibitory effects on the spore germination and mycelial growth of FOC TR4. Phenazine demonstrated potent antifungal activity against FOC TR4 with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 6.25 mg/L. The half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) was calculated to be 26.24 mg/L using the toxicity regression equation. PCA exhibited antifungal activity against FOC TR4 with an MIC of 25 mg/L and an EC50 of 89.63 mg/L. Furthermore, phenazine and PCA triggered substantial morphological transformations in the mycelia of FOC TR4, encompassing folding, bending, fracturing, and diminished spore formation.

Discussion

These findings indicate that strain Gxun-2 plays a crucial role in controlling FOC TR4 pathogenesis, predominantly through producing the antifungal compounds phenazine and PCA, and possesses potential as a cost-efficient and sustainable biocontrol agent against Fusarium wilt of banana in forthcoming times.

Double-Wing Motif Protein is a Novel Biofilm Regulatory Factor of the Plant Disease Biocontrol Agent, Bacillus subtilis

Transposon mutagenesis screening of Bacillus subtilis YB-1471, a novel rhizosphere biocontrol agent of Fusarium crown rot (FCR) of wheat, resulted in the identification of orf04391, linked to reduced biofilm formation. The gene encodes a protein possessing a putative tertiary structure of a "double-wing" DNA-binding domain. Expression of orf04391 increased during biofilm development in stationary cultures and during rapid growth in shaking cultures. An orf04391 deletion strain showed reduced biofilm production related to lower levels of the extracellular matrix, and the mutant also had reduced sporulation, adhesion, root colonization, and FCR biocontrol efficiency. Transcriptome analysis of YB-1471 and Δorf04391 in stationary culture showed that the loss of orf04391 resulted in altered expression of numerous genes, including sinI, an initiator of biofilm formation. DNA binding was shown with his-tagged Orf04391 binding to the sinIR operon in vivo and in vitro. Orf04391 appears to be a transcriptional regulator of biofilm formation in B. subtilis through the Spo0A-SinI/SinR pathway.

Antagonistic effects of Talaromyces muroii TM28 against Fusarium crown rot of wheat caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum is a serious threat to wheat production worldwide. This study aimed to assess the effects of Talaromyces muroii strain TM28 isolated from root of Panax quinquefolius against F. pseudograminearum. The strain of TM28 inhibited mycelial growth of F. pseudograminearum by 87.8% at 72 h, its cell free fermentation filtrate had a strong antagonistic effect on mycelial growth and conidial germination of F. pseudograminearum by destroying the integrity of the cell membrane. In the greenhouse, TM28 significantly increased wheat fresh weight and height in the presence of pathogen Fp, it enhanced the antioxidant defense activity and ameliorated the negative effects of F. pseudograminearum, including disease severity and pathogen abundance in the rhizosphere soil, root and stem base of wheat. RNA-seq of F. pseudograminearum under TM28 antagonistic revealed 2,823 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Most DEGs related to cell wall and cell membrane synthesis were significantly downregulated, the culture filtrate of TM28 affected the pathways of fatty acid synthesis, steroid synthesis, glycolysis, and the citrate acid cycle. T. muroii TM28 appears to have significant potential in controlling wheat Fusarium crown rot caused by F. pseudograminearum.

Effects of biocontrol Bacillus sp. strain D5 on the pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum R1 at the microscopic and molecular level in Crocus sativus L. (saffron) corm

Corm rot of saffron caused by Fusarium oxysporum is a major threat to saffron cultivation the world over. To minimize the ill effects of chemical fungicides, attention has been shifted to the use of biocontrol agents for disease management in a sustainable way. In saffron, various biocontrol agents against corm rot disease have been reported and characterized but no study has been done so far to understand their interaction at the molecular level. The present study was conducted to unravel the mechanism of action of an already characterized native biocontrol agent i.e. Bacillus sp. strain D5 (Bar D5) against F. oxsporum R1 (Fox R1) in the saffron corm. The growth inhibition of Fox R1 was observed in vitro and in planta (saffron corm) by real time imaging. Bacillus sp. strain D5 reduced Fox R1 load in infected corms by 50% as quantified by q-PCR and the colony-forming unit method. Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation and downregulation of various Fox R1 genes in presence of Bar D5. The genes related to carbon metabolism, cell wall and membrane synthesis, and growth of Fox R1 were significantly downregulated in Bar D5-primed and Fox R1-inoculated corms as compared to only Fox R1-inoculated corms.

Isolation and Genome-Based Characterization of Biocontrol Potential of Bacillus siamensis YB-1631 against Wheat Crown Rot Caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) caused by Fusarium pseudograminearum is one of the most serious soil-borne diseases of wheat. Among 58 bacterial isolates from the rhizosphere soil of winter wheat seedlings, strain YB-1631 was found to have the highest in vitro antagonism to F. pseudograminearum growth. LB cell-free culture filtrates inhibited mycelial growth and conidia germination of F. pseudograminearum by 84.14% and 92.23%, respectively. The culture filtrate caused distortion and disruption of the cells. Using a face-to-face plate assay, volatile substances produced by YB-1631 inhibited F. pseudograminearum growth by 68.16%. In the greenhouse, YB-1631 reduced the incidence of FCR on wheat seedlings by 84.02% and increased root and shoot fresh weights by 20.94% and 9.63%, respectively. YB-1631 was identified as Bacillus siamensis based on the gyrB sequence and average nucleotide identity of the complete genome. The complete genome was 4,090,312 bp with 4357 genes and 45.92% GC content. In the genome, genes were identified for root colonization, including those for chemotaxis and biofilm production, genes for plant growth promotion, including those for phytohormones and nutrient assimilation, and genes for biocontrol activity, including those for siderophores, extracellular hydrolase, volatiles, nonribosomal peptides, polyketide antibiotics, and elicitors of induced systemic resistance. In vitro production of siderophore, β-1, 3-glucanase, amylase, protease, cellulase, phosphorus solubilization, and indole acetic acid were detected. Bacillus siamensis YB-1631 appears to have significant potential in promoting wheat growth and controlling wheat FCR caused by F. pseudograminearum.

Enhancement of herbicolin A production by integrated fermentation optimization and strain engineering in Pantoea agglomerans ZJU23

BACKGROUND

The lipopeptide herbicolin A (HA) secreted by the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans ZJU23 is a promising antifungal drug to combat fungal pathogens by targeting lipid rafts, both in agricultural and clinical settings. Improvement of HA production would be of great significance in promoting its commercialization. This study aims to enhance the HA production in ZJU23 by combining fermentation optimization and strain engineering.

RESULTS

Based on the results in the single-factor experiments, corn steep liquor, temperature and initial pH were identified as the significant affecting factors by the Plackett-Burman design. The fermentation medium and conditions were further optimized using the Box-Behnken response surface method, and the HA production of the wild type strain ZJU23 was improved from ~ 87 mg/mL in King's B medium to ~ 211 mg/mL in HA induction (HAI) medium. A transposon library was constructed in ZJU23 to screen for mutants with higher HA production, and two transcriptional repressors for HA biosynthesis, LrhA and PurR, were identified. Disruption of the LrhA gene led to increased mRNA expression of HA biosynthetic genes, and subsequently improved about twofold HA production. Finally, the HA production reached ~ 471 mg/mL in the ΔLrhA mutant under optimized fermentation conditions, which is about 5.4 times higher than before (~ 87 mg/mL). The bacterial suspension of the ΔLrhA mutant fermented in HAI medium significantly enhanced its biocontrol efficacy against gray mold disease and Fusarium crown rot of wheat, showing equivalent control efficacies as the chemical fungicides used in this study. Furthermore, HA was effective against fungicide resistant Botrytis cinerea. Increased HA production substantially improved the control efficacy against gray mold disease caused by a pyrimethanil resistant strain.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals that the transcriptional repressor LrhA negatively regulates HA biosynthesis and the defined HAI medium is suitable for HA production. These findings provide an extended basis for large-scale production of HA and promote biofungicide development based on ZJU23 and HA in the future.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Unravels the Response Mechanisms of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense to a Biocontrol Agent, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-2

Banana Fusarium wilt, which is caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FOC TR4), is one of the most serious fungal diseases in the banana-producing regions in east Asia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Gxun-2 could significantly inhibit the growth of FOC TR4. Strain Gxun-2 strongly inhibited the mycelial growth of FOC TR4 on dual culture plates and caused hyphal wrinkles, ruptures, and deformities on in vitro cultures. Banana seedlings under pot experiment treatment with Gxun-2 in a greenhouse resulted in an 84.21% reduction in the disease. Comparative transcriptome analysis was applied to reveal the response and resistance of FOC TR4 to Gxun-2 stress. The RNA-seq analysis of FOC TR4 during dual-culture with P. aeruginosa Gxun-2 revealed 3075 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) compared with the control. Among the genes, 1158 genes were up-regulated, and 1917 genes were down-regulated. Further analysis of gene function and the pathway of DEGs revealed that genes related to the cell membrane, cell wall formation, peroxidase, ABC transporter, and autophagy were up-regulated, while down-regulated DEGs were enriched in the sphingolipid metabolism and chitinase. These results indicated that FOC TR4 upregulates a large number of genes in order to maintain cell functions. The results of qRT-PCR conducted on a subset of 13 genes were consistent with the results of RNA-seq data. Thus, this study serves as a valuable resource regarding the mechanisms of fungal pathogen resistance to biocontrol agents.

Microorganisms in biological control strategies to manage microbial plant pathogens: a review

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are an integral part of modern agriculture and are often associated with numerous environmental problems. Biological agents such as microorganisms can largely replace chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The proper use of selected microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses have several benefits for agriculture. These include a healthy soil microbiota, biological production of important compounds that promote plant health, and to be used as biocontrol agents (BCAs) that provide protection from plant pathogenic microorganisms. Scientists have found that several bacterial genera including Bacillus and Pseudomonas have antimicrobial activity against numerous pathogenic bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Penicillium are among the most common fungal genera used as BCAs against both bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. Several bacteriophages and mycoviruses are also found effective as BCAs against selective plant pathogens. Fusarium oxysporum is a commonly found microbial plant pathogen causing wilts and rots in plants. Overall, it can be concluded that the use of microbial BCAs is an effective practice against microbial plant pathogens.