Lesson from Ecotoxicity: Revisiting the Microbial Lipopeptides for the Management of Emerging Diseases for Crop Protection

Abstract

Microorganisms area treasure in terms of theproduction of various bioactive compounds which are being explored in different arenas of applied sciences. In agriculture, microbes and their bioactive compounds are being utilized in growth promotion and health promotion withnutrient fortification and its acquisition. Exhaustive explorations are unraveling the vast diversity of microbialcompounds with their potential usage in solving multiferous problems incrop production. Lipopeptides are one of such microbial compounds which havestrong antimicrobial properties against different plant pathogens. These compounds are reported to be produced by bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, and few other microorganisms; however, genus Bacillus alone produces a majority of diverse lipopeptides. Lipopeptides are low molecular weight compounds which havemultiple industrial roles apart from being usedas biosurfactants and antimicrobials. In plant protection, lipopeptides have wide prospects owing totheirpore-forming ability in pathogens, siderophore activity, biofilm inhibition, and dislodging activity, preventing colonization bypathogens, antiviral activity, etc. Microbes with lipopeptides that haveall these actions are good biocontrol agents. Exploring these antimicrobial compounds could widen the vistasof biological pest control for existing and emerging plant pathogens. The broader diversity and strong antimicrobial behavior of lipopeptides could be a boon for dealing withcomplex pathosystems and controlling diseases of greater economic importance. Understanding which and how these compounds modulate the synthesis and production of defense-related biomolecules in the plants is a key question—the answer of whichneeds in-depth investigation. The present reviewprovides a comprehensive picture of important lipopeptides produced by plant microbiome, their isolation, characterization, mechanisms of disease control, behavior against phytopathogens to understand different aspects of antagonism, and potential prospects for future explorations as antimicrobial agents. Understanding and exploring the antimicrobial lipopeptides from bacteria and fungi could also open upan entire new arena of biopesticides for effective control of devastating plant diseases.

Bacteria as Biocontrol Tool against Phytoparasitic Nematodes

“…Cyclic lipopeptides and VOCs are the key triggers of ISR by Gram-positive endospore forming bacteria. It has been revealed that B. firmus I-1582 provoke ISR dependent on the plant species [ 89 ].…”

Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria as a Green Alternative for Sustainable Agriculture

“…Pseudomonas and Bacillus sp. are reported to produce diverse cyclic lipopeptides that possess plant resistance induction by stimulating and strengthening plant defense mechanisms, facilitation of root colonization, and antimicrobial potential [113,114]. Based on the length and composition of the fatty acid tail, along with the number, nature, and configuration of the amino acids in the peptide moiety, cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) of Pseudomonas sp.…”

“…Members of the Bacillus species were reported to produce three types of cyclic lipopeptides namely iturin, surfactin, and plipastatin-fengycin based on their amino acid sequence and fatty acid branching [116]. These cyclic lipopeptides have been reported cidal to may phytopathogens such as Pseudomonas syringae, Xanthomonas axonopodis, Sclerotinia sclerotium, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Aspergillus species, Fusarium moniliforme, and Alternaria alternata [114]. Therefore, the production of non-volatile compounds by PGPR provides antagonistic agents against numerous phytopathogens [117].…”

Optimized Biosurfactant Production by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> Strain CGA1 Using Agro-Industrial Waste as Sole Carbon Source

“…The FTIR spectrum implied that the biosurfactant produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain CGA1 is a lipopeptide. Although, lipopeptide production is mostly associated with Bacillus species, for example, Bacillus aryabhattai [23], several Pseudomonas species have been identified as lipopeptide producers [47] [48] [49].…”