Bacillus megaterium WL-3 Lipopeptides Collaborate Against Phytophthora infestans to Control Potato Late Blight and Promote Potato Plant Growth

Abstract

Oomycete Phytophthora infestans [(Mont.) de Bary] is the cause of potato late blight, a plant disease which poses a serious threat to our global food security and is responsible for huge economic losses worldwide. Lipopeptides produced by Bacillus species are known to be potent antibacterial compounds against many plant pathogens. In this study, we show that Bacillus megaterium WL-3 has an antagonistic effect against potato late blight. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) revealed that lipopeptides derived from the WL-3 strain contained three subfamilies, surfactin (C 13 – C 15 ), Iturin A (C 14 – C 16 ), and Fengycin A (C 15 – C 19 ). The Iturin A and Fengycin A lipopeptide families were each confirmed to have anti-oomycete effects against P. infestans mycelium growth as well as obvious controlling effects against potato late blight in greenhouse experiments and field assays. Furthermore, Iturin A and Fengycin A were able to promote plant photosynthetic efficiency, plant growth, and potato yield. Most importantly, the combination of Iturin A and Fengycin A (I + F) was superior to individual lipopeptides in controlling potato late blight and in the promotion of plant growth. The results of this study indicate that B. megaterium WL-3 and its lipopeptides are potential candidates for the control of late blight and the promotion of potato plant growth.

Screening of Bacillus velezensis E2 and the Inhibitory Effect of Its Antifungal Substances on Aspergillus flavus

“…The mass spectrum peaks of them corresponded to the ion addition peaks of C16 Fengycin A, C16 Fengycin C, and C16 Fengycin D ( Table 4 ). The results were similar to those of Youyou Wang [ 36 ] and Bo Zhang [ 37 ]. These results indicated that strain E2 could produce two LPs; Iturin and Fengycin.…”

Antagonistic Strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens XZ34-1 for Controlling Bipolaris sorokiniana and Promoting Growth in Wheat

“…Another important mechanism by Bacillus for suppressing plant pathogens is the production of antifungal metabolites and antibiotics [41][42][43][44][45]. The biocontrol fungus Chaetomium globosum is effective in inhibiting B. sorokiniana associated with wheat common root rot owing to the production of secondary metabolites by C. globosum [16].…”

“…Bacillomycin L and Fengycin A compounds were isolated from strain G341, which controlled the development of rice blast, sheath blight, tomato gray mold and red pepper anthracnose [47]. Lipopeptides from Bacillus megaterium strain WL-3 containing three subfamilies, surfactant, Iturin A and Fengycin A, which control late blight and promote potato plant growth [43]. In our opinion, it is necessary to assay and evaluate the lipopeptide of XZ34-1 in the future to further explore its mechanism of action and broaden its application.…”

WITHDRAWN: Global metabolic changes by Bacillus cyclic lipopeptide extracts on stress responses of para rubber leaf

“…Fengycin and surfactin have been reported to enhance the expression of glucanase and peroxidase genes in mandarin fruit (Waewthongrak et al 2014). While, fengycin A and iturin A presented the potency of plant photosynthesis involving in plant growth promotion (Wang et al 2020). In addition, Bacillus CLPs were reported the ability to increase seed germination and plant growth promotion in chili pepper, lettuce, tomato, and pea (Umar et al 2021).…”