Genome Mining Reveals High Biosynthetic Potential of Biocontrol Agent Bacillus velezensis B.BV10

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the biocontrol potential of a plant growth-promoting bacterial strain using three different approaches: (i) an in vitro evaluation of antagonistic activity against important phytopathogenic fungi; (ii) an evaluation under greenhouse conditions with strawberry plants to assess the control of gray mold; and (iii) an in silico whole genome sequence mining to assign genetic features such as gene clusters or isolated genes to the strain activity. The in vitro assay showed that the B.BV10 strain presented antagonistic activity, inhibiting the mycelial growth in all the phytopathogenic fungi evaluated. The application of the Bacillus velezensis strain B.BV10 under greenhouse conditions reduced the presence of Botrytis cinerea and increased the mean fruit biomass. The genome of B.BV10 was estimated at 3,917,533 bp, with a GC content of 46.6% and 4088 coding DNA sequences, and was identified as B. velezensis. Biosynthetic gene clusters related to the synthesis of the molecules with antifungal activity were found in its genome. Genes related to the regulation/formation of biofilms, motility, and the important properties for the rhizospheric colonization were also found in the genome. The current study offers a comprehensive understanding of the genomic architecture and control activity of phytopathogenic fungi by the B. velezensis strain B.BV10 that may substantiate the industrialization of this strain in the future.

Genomic Insight into a Potential Biological Control Agent for Fusarium-Related Diseases in Potatoes: Bacillus cabrialesii Subsp. cabrialesii Strain PE1

“…For example, the strain may produce acetoin and butanediol, which are volatile compounds that can induce systemic resistance in plants [37]. Furthermore, the strain may be associated with exopolysaccharide biosynthesis, which enhances colonization and biocontrol [22]. In this context, strain PE1 may have multiple biocontrol mechanisms that could be expressed based on the environment.…”

“…In many cases, complex interactions between plants, biocontrol agents, and pathogens involve various mechanisms [51,52]. Characterizing the genome of selected strains is a crucial step in developing biological control agents (BCAs), as it provides valuable information about their potential as biopesticides [22,52]. This process allows further analysis of strains based on their key attributes.…”

“…These volatile components are capable of inducing systemic resistance in plants [37]. The cell wall and capsule (86 CDSs) subsystem contains coding sequences for exopolysaccharide biosynthesis (EpsC and EpsD), which are genes related to colonization [22]. Additionally, subsystems related to bacterial resilience for the development of agricultural bioproducts were identified, including the stress response (43 CDSs), which covers osmotic and oxidative stress.…”

“…These mechanisms include solubilization and mineralization of nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, nitrogen fixation, production of 1-aminocyclopropne-1-carboxlyic acid (ACC), phytohormones, antimicrobial compounds, hydrolytic enzymes, and siderophores, as well as abiotic-stress tolerance [18,20]. However, identifying appropriate strains of potential biocontrol agents and characterizing associated metabolites remains a complex and arduous task [21][22][23]. To address this issue, bioinformatics tools such as genome mining for biosynthetic genes can be used to rapidly predict the secondary metabolites produced by a BCA strain [22][23][24].…”

“…However, identifying appropriate strains of potential biocontrol agents and characterizing associated metabolites remains a complex and arduous task [21][22][23]. To address this issue, bioinformatics tools such as genome mining for biosynthetic genes can be used to rapidly predict the secondary metabolites produced by a BCA strain [22][23][24]. Thus, the identification of genetic blueprints is essential for recognizing bioactive secondary metabolites and enzymes that mediate most biocontrol mechanisms [22].…”