Genomic, Antimicrobial, and Aphicidal Traits of Bacillus velezensis ATR2, and Its Biocontrol Potential against Ginger Rhizome Rot Disease Caused by Bacillus pumilus

Abstract

Ginger rhizome rot disease, caused by the pathogen Bacilluspumilus GR8, could result in severe rot of ginger rhizomes and heavily threaten ginger production. In this study, we identified and characterized a new Bacillus velezensis strain, designated ATR2. Genome analysis revealed B. velezensis ATR2 harbored a series of genes closely related to promoting plant growth and triggering plant immunity. Meanwhile, ten gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of various secondary metabolites (surfactin, bacillomycin, fengycin, bacillibactin, bacilysin, difficidin, macrolactin, bacillaene, plantazolicin, and amylocyclicin) and two clusters encoding a putative lipopeptide and a putative phosphonate which might be explored as novel bioactive compounds were also present in the ATR2 genome. Moreover, B. velezensis ATR2 showed excellent antagonistic activities against multiple plant pathogenic bacteria, plant pathogenic fungi, human pathogenic bacteria, and human pathogenic fungus. B. velezensis ATR2 was also efficacious in control of aphids. The antagonistic compound from B. velezensis ATR2 against B.pumilus GR8 was purified and identified as bacillomycin D. In addition, B. velezensis ATR2 exhibited excellent biocontrol efficacy against ginger rhizome rot disease on ginger slices. These findings showed the potential of further applications of B. velezensis ATR2 as a biocontrol agent in agricultural diseases and pests management.

Prospecting the functional potential of Bacillus altitudinis 1.4 isolated from sediment in association with Bradyrhizobium japonicum

“…Similar results were found by Liang et al (2021) in the analysis of the genome of B. velezensis ATR 2, which identi ed amylocyclicin and bacilysin using tools such as antiSMASH. The amylocyclicin peptide was also found in the genome of B. pumilus 7PB (Ribeiro et al 2021).…”

Complete Genome Sequence of Antibiotic-Producing Bacillus velezensis H208, Isolated from Ginger Rhizosphere in Laifeng County, China

“… Bacillus velezensis was reported as an antagonistic bacterium against various plant diseases ( 1 , 2 ) and also promotes plant growth ( 3 , 4 ). It produces multiple antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including antifungal peptides ( 5 ), ketone metabolites, and volatile organic compounds ( 6 ).…”

Biocontrol Ability of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Group, B. amyloliquefaciens, B. velezensis, B. nakamurai, and B. siamensis, for the Management of Fungal Postharvest Diseases: A Review

“…Currently, the information is dispersed, which limits the advances in the field. Although B. amyloliquefaciens strains have been evaluated on a few occasions for the control of bacterial pathogens, including Erwinia spp., 34−36 Acidovorax avenae, 37 Bacillus pumilus, 38 and root-knot nematodes, 39 the antifungal applications are by far the most common. 40−42 In this review, we are covering for the first time all the reports regarding the ability of B. amyloliquefaciens strains to control postharvest fungal diseases, highlighting the mechanisms of action, and detailing the hosts and pathogens used in the studies.…”

“…Currently, the information is dispersed, which limits the advances in the field. Although B. amyloliquefaciens strains have been evaluated on a few occasions for the control of bacterial pathogens, including Erwinia spp., − Acidovorax avenae , Bacillus pumilus , and root-knot nematodes, the antifungal applications are by far the most common. − …”