Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Bbv57, a Promising Biocontrol Agent against Phytopathogens

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of root-associated beneficial bacteria emerging as one of the powerful agents in sustainable plant disease management. Among the PGPR, Bacillus sp. has become a popular biocontrol agent for controlling pests and the diseases of several crops of agricultural and horticultural importance. Understanding the molecular basis of the plant growth-promoting and biocontrol abilities of Bacillus spp. will allow us to develop multifunctional microbial consortia for sustainable agriculture. In our study, we attempted to unravel the genome complexity of the potential biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis Bbv57 (isolated from the betelvine’s rhizosphere), available at TNAU, Coimbatore. A WGS analysis generated 26 million reads, and a de novo assembly resulted in the generation of 4,302,465 bp genome of Bacillus subtilis Bbv57 containing 4363 coding sequences (CDS), of which 4281 were functionally annotated. An analysis of 16S rRNA revealed its 100% identity to Bacillus subtilis IAM 12118. A detailed data analysis identified the presence of >100 CAZymes and nine gene clusters involved in the production of secondary metabolites that exhibited antimicrobial properties. Further, Bbv57 was found to harbor 282 unique genes in comparison with 19 other Bacillus strains, requiring further exploration.

Genome insights into the plant growth-promoting bacterium Saccharibacillus brassicae ATSA2T

“…Cellulase, a cell wall-degrading enzyme, can affect the structural integrity of the host plants, thereby indirectly promoting host plant growth, suggesting a role for bacteria of the genus Saccharibacillus in plant growth and/or biocontrol. This finding is significant in light of the increasing applications being identified for biofertilizers in modern agriculture (e.g., the GRAS Bacillus strain) (Chen et al 2019 ; Majeed et al 2018 ; Bhardwaj et al 2014 ; Zaid et al 2022 ; Zhao et al 2022 ; Thiruvengadam et al 2022 ). In the present study, we found that the strain ATSA2 T , which is an endophyte of kimchi cabbage, contains no antibiotic resistance genes or virulence genes.…”

“…These bacteria may contribute to plant growth and health by assisting in nutrient uptake or by suppressing plant pathogens (Vejan et al 2016 ; Afzal et al 2019 ; Saberi Riseh et al 2021 ; Majeed et al 2018 ; Bhardwaj et al 2014 ; Nanjani et al 2022 ). Many studies have demonstrated plant–microbe symbiosis, in which bacteria produce extracellular enzymes or metabolites, thereby improving mineral nutrition and thus impacting plant health and growth, while plants provide energy to those beneficial microbes (Marschner and Rengel 2007 ; Santoyo et al 2016 ; Hardoim et al 2008 ; Zhao et al 2022 ; Thiruvengadam et al 2022 ). Rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria, which are cost-effective and environmentally friendly, have been widely used in biological control methods and plant biofertilizers.…”

Characterization and evaluation of Bacillus subtilis GYUN-2311 as a biocontrol agent against Colletotrichum spp. on apple and hot pepper in Korea

“…Except for surfactin, all other peptides, including subtilomycin, bacillaene, fengycin, bacillibactin, subtilosin, and bacilysin were identified as 100% in contig 2; these peptides play a role in the suppression of pathogens by inducing systemic resistance ( Kamali et al, 2022 ). In a recent report by Thiruvengadam et al (2022) , genomic analysis of the strain B. subtilis Bbv57 isolated from betelvine rhizosphere sediments revealed 9 putative biosynthetic secondary metabolite gene clusters.…”

Whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial potential of bacteria isolated from Polish honey

“…Secondly, the CAZyme analysis provided insight into the enzymatic landscape of the bacteria present in honey. Thiruvengadam et al ( 2022 ) isolated B. subtilis Bbv57 from the betel vine rhizosphere and found glycosyl transferases and glycoside hydrolases present predominantly in the genome. Endo β 1, 4 glucanase, chitinase, endoglucanase, and xyloglucanase were also detected in their study (Thiruvengadam et al 2022 ).…”

“…Thiruvengadam et al ( 2022 ) isolated B. subtilis Bbv57 from the betel vine rhizosphere and found glycosyl transferases and glycoside hydrolases present predominantly in the genome. Endo β 1, 4 glucanase, chitinase, endoglucanase, and xyloglucanase were also detected in their study (Thiruvengadam et al 2022 ). In another study, Chen et al ( 2022 ) isolated B. subtilis CTXW 7–6-2 from kiwi fruit and observed the same results.…”