Endophytes-assisted biocontrol: novel insights in ecology and the mode of action of Paenibacillus

Abstract

Background Biological control is an environmentally sound and effective means of reducing pathogeninduced damage to agriculture using natural antagonists. Paenibacillus is a cosmopolitan and ubiquitously occurring bacterial genus with antagonistic activity against phytopathogens. Many species and strains with promising potential for plant growth promotion and biocontrol of pathogens have been identified since Paenibacillus was first described 20 years ago. Nevertheless, important questions regarding the colonization of plants, and the mode of action of Paenibacillus remain unanswered. Scope This review focuses on the occurrence of Paenibacillus in microbial metagenomes, the endophytic lifestyle of Paenibacillus, and the function of Paenibacillus-derived volatile organic compounds (VOCs) combining actual literature with our own results.Conclusions This review provides new insights into the endophytic lifestyle of Paenibacillus and discusses strain-specific and system-dependent growth promotion effects on plants. VOCs, in particular pyrazine derivatives emitted by Paenibacillus, showed high activity against other organisms. This suggests that VOCs play an important role in communication and interaction. Overall, Paenibacillus strains demonstrate promising potential not only for sustainable agriculture and biological control, but also as a source for novel bioactive volatiles.

Editorial special issue: soil, plants and endophytes

“…Regarding biocontrol, it is also worth mentioning that previous data on some genera can lead to new insights after using metadata analysis. Rybakova et al (2016b) reviewed the occurrence of Paenibacillus spp. in microbial metagenomes, as well as their occurrence as endophytes and the function of volatile organic compounds produced by members of this taxon.…”

Exploring the Potential of Endophytes in Agriculture: A Minireview

“…Biocontrol: Biocontrol refers to the eco-friendly way of reducing plant pathogens that may cause damage to agriculture crops through natural antagonists [39]. Most of the antagonistic rhizosphere bacteria are known biological control agents and belong to genera Bacillus and Pseudomonas.…”

“…Several endophytes cause ISR in plants against banana bunchy top virus [50]. Also, the common endophyte genus Paenibacillus is known to produce soluble and volatile metabolites that may inhibit the pathogen growth [39]. Moreover, endophytes protect plants from root pathogens by preparing biofilm around the roots [39].…”

“…Also, the common endophyte genus Paenibacillus is known to produce soluble and volatile metabolites that may inhibit the pathogen growth [39]. Moreover, endophytes protect plants from root pathogens by preparing biofilm around the roots [39]. The experiment on tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)…”

The ecological role of volatile mediated interactions belowground

“…Among those volatiles 2,5-bis(1-methylethy)-pyrazine was produced. It was recently reported that Paenibacillus can produce pyrazines with broad spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi and yeast (Rybakova et al 2015). Here, the pyrazine-derivate was only detected for the bacterial mixture but not for Paenibacillus sp.…”