Metabolite profile of Bacillus strains to control potato pathogens

What is it about?

Biocontrol agents are safe and effective methods for controlling plant disease pathogens, such as Fusarium solani, which causes dry wilt, and Pectobacterium spp., responsible for potato soft rot disease. Discovering agents that can effectively control both fungal and bacterial pathogens in potatoes has always presented a challenge. Biological controls were investigated using 500 bacterial strains isolated from rhizospheric microbial communities, along with two promising biocontrol strains: Pseudomonas (T17-4 and VUPf5). Bacillus velezensis (Q12 and US1) and Pseudomonas chlororaphis VUPf5 exhibited the highest inhibition of fungal growth and pathogenicity in both laboratory (48%, 48%, 38%) and greenhouse (100%, 85%, 90%) settings. Q12 demonstrated better control against bacterial pathogens in vivo (approximately 50%).

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Why is it important?

The use of chemical fungicides and bactericides for disease management has adverse effects on human health and the environment. Consequently, there is an increasing reliance on biological agents to mitigate the negative impact of agrochemicals. The rhizosphere represents a competitive environment where microorganisms vie for resources to ensure their survival 11. While beneficial microorganisms are widely used in agriculture to control plant diseases, their inconsistent performance and a lack of sufficient safety data have limited the adoption of many promising biopesticides 12. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify bacteria that not only promote plant growth but also consistently demonstrate effective biological control mechanisms.

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