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Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology

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A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Microbe Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 February 2024) | Viewed by 13900

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Angela F. Cunha

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Guest Editor

Department of Biology & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Campus de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: applied and environmental microbiology; microbial interactions and biotic relation involving microrganisms; plant-bacteria interactions; rhizosphere microbiology and stress responses; plant growth promoting rhizobacteria; halophilic bacteria and related bioactive compounds; microbial biofilms; photodynamic inactivation of bacteria and fungi in environmental matrices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Sandra Hilário

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Co-Guest Editor

Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: molecular biology; genomics; microbial diversity; microbial cloning; fungal taxonomy; phylogenetics and molecular evolution; bioinformatics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant diseases occur in the entire crop production chain and are one of the greatest threats to the sustainable development of society, resulting in yield and economic losses. However, the intensive use of chemical fungicides to suppress the growth of plant pathogens has contributed to environmental pollution (e.g., long degradation periods), biodiversity losses, undesirable effects on human health (e.g., carcinogenicity) and the development of pathogen resistance. The most current strategies included in the United Nations 2030 Agenda (17 SDGs) aim at achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. Thus, biopesticide application to replace synthetic chemicals creates a balance amongst economic productivity and environmental protection.

Moreover, microorganisms are well-known as plant growth promoters, as biocontrol agents against plant pathogens and for their ability to produce secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activities. Therefore, the use of biocontrol microorganisms and applications of naturally sourced metabolites are alternative methods for the safe control of plant pathogens to assist in sustainable agriculture. In this regard, the development and contributions of novelties in this research field require up-to-date review papers.

In this Special Issue, we invite you to contribute with any aspects related to the biological control of microorganisms. This may include, for instance, plant-growth-promoting bacteria or fungi, endophytes and/or epiphytes involved in plant tolerance to stressful factors, in the acquisition of limited nutrients or in the production of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activities. The molecular aspects related to the interaction between plants and their microbial community, as well as the exploitation of omics approaches to reveal key genes/metabolites/proteins of biocontrol microorganisms, are also welcome.

Dr. Angela F. Cunha
Dr. Sandra Hilário
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Microorganisms is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

beneficial microbes
plant protection
phytopathogens

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 5077 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Effect of Seed Coating and Biopriming of Bacillus aryabhattai Z-48 on Seedling Growth, Growth Promotion, and Suppression of Fusarium Wilt Disease of Tomato Plants

by Waheed Akram, Sara Waqar, Sana Hanif, Tehmina Anjum, Zill-e-Huma Aftab, Guihua Li, Basharat Ali, Humaira Rizwana, Ali Hassan, Areeba Rehman, Bareera Munir and Muhammad Umer

Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040792 - 14 Apr 2024

Viewed by 706

Abstract

Beneficial plant microbes can enhance the growth and quality of field crops. However, the benefits of microbes using cheap and efficient inoculation methods are still uncommon. Seed coating with biocontrol agents can reduce the amount of inocula along with having the potential for large-scale application. Hence, in this research work, the comparative potential of tomato seed coating and biopriming with Bacillus aryabhattai Z-48, harboring multiple plant-beneficial traits, to suppress Fusarium wilt disease along with its beneficial effect on seedling and plant growth promotion was analyzed. Among two bacterial strains, B. aryabhattai Z-48 was able to antagonize the mycelial growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in vitro and its application as a seed coating superiorly benefited seedling traits like the germination percentage, vigor index, and seedling growth index along with a reduced germination time. The seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 resulted in significant increases in the shoot length, root length, dry biomass, and total chlorophyll contents when compared with the bioprimed seeds with the same bacterial strain and non-inoculated control plants. The seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 significantly reduced the disease index (>60%) compared with the pathogen control during pot trials. Additionally, the seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 resulted in a significantly higher production of total phenolics, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia lyase enzyme in tomato plants. The GC/MS-based non-targeted metabolic profiling indicated that the seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 could cause large-scale metabolite perturbations in sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, and organic acids to increase the fitness of tomato plants against biotic stress. Our study indicates that a tomato seed coating with B. aryabhattai Z-48 can improve tomato growth and suppress Fusarium wilt disease effectively under conventional agricultural systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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20 pages, 14378 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diplodia seriata Biocontrol Is Altered via Temperature and the Control of Bacteria

by Alejandra Larach, Paulina Vega-Celedón, Diyanira Castillo-Novales, Lorena Tapia, Italo Cuneo, Fabiola Cádiz, Michael Seeger and Ximena Besoain

Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020350 - 08 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1076

Abstract

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) attack the vine’s wood, devastating vineyards worldwide. Chile is the world’s fourth-largest wine exporter, and Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most economically important red wine varieties. Botryosphaeria dieback is an important GTD, and Diplodia seriata is one of the main pathogenic species. Biocontrol studies of these pathogens are commonly carried out at different incubation times but at a single temperature. This study aimed to evaluate the biocontrol effect of Chilean PGPB and grapevine endophytic bacteria against D. seriata at different temperatures. We analyzed the biocontrol effect of Pseudomonas sp. GcR15a, Pseudomonas sp. AMCR2b and Rhodococcus sp. PU4, with three D. seriata isolates (PUCV 2120, PUCV 2142 and PUCV 2183) at 8, 22 and 35 °C. Two dual-culture antagonism methods (agar plug diffusion and double plate) were used to evaluate the in vitro effect, and an in vivo test was performed with Cabernet Sauvignon cuttings. In vitro, the greatest inhibitions were obtained using the agar plug diffusion method and at a temperature of 8 °C, where Rhodococcus sp. PU4 obtains a 65% control (average) and Pseudomonas sp. GcR15a a 57% average. At 22 °C, only strains of Pseudomonas sp. show control. At 35 °C, one Pseudomonas strain shows the highest control (38%), on average, similar to tebuconazole (33%), and then Rhodococcus sp. (30%). In vivo, a biocontrol effect is observed against two D. seriata isolates, while the PUCV 2142 proves to be more resistant to control. The biocontrol ability at low temperatures is promising for effective control in the field, where infections occur primarily in winter. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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19 pages, 2065 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Way to the Technological Development of Newly Selected Non-Saccharomyces Yeasts Selected as Innovative Biocontrol Agents in Table Grapes

by Antonella Salerno, Margherita D’Amico, Carlo Bergamini, Flavia Angela Maria Maggiolini, Marco Vendemia, Annalisa Prencipe, Claudia Rita Catacchio, Mario Ventura, Maria Francesca Cardone and Antonio Domenico Marsico

Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020340 - 06 Feb 2024

Viewed by 933

Abstract

Post-harvest decay of fresh table grapes causes considerable annual production losses. The main fungal agents of decay both in pre- and post-harvest are B. cinerea, Penicillium spp., Aspergillus spp., Alternaria spp., and Cladosporium spp. To date, the use of agrochemicals and SO₂ are the main methods to control grape molds in pre- and postharvest, respectively. Significant improvements, however, have already been made in to apply innovative and more environmentally sustainable control strategies, such as Biological Control Agents (BCAs), which can reduce disease severity in both pre- and post-harvest. In this study, 31 new non-Saccharomyces yeast strains, isolated from berries of native Apulian table grape genotypes, were tested for their in vivo effectiveness against grey mold of table grapes, resulting in two St. bacillaris (‘N22_I1’ and ‘S13_I3’), one S. diversa (‘N22_I3’), one A. pullulans (‘OLB_9.1_VL’) and one H. uvarum (‘OLB_9.1_BR’) yeast strains that were marked as efficient and good BCAs. Their mechanisms of action were characterized through in vitro assays, and additional characteristics were evaluated to assess the economic feasibility and viability for future technological employment. Their effectiveness was tested by reducing the working concentration, their antagonistic effect on a wide range of fungal pathogens, their ability to survive in formulations with long shelf life, and their safety to human health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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16 pages, 4055 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome Sequencing and Characterization of Bacillus velezensis N23 as Biocontrol Agent against Plant Pathogens

by Panlei Yang, Qingchao Zeng, Wenxiao Jiang, Luotao Wang, Jie Zhang, Zhenshuo Wang, Qi Wang and Yan Li

Microorganisms 2024, 12(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12020294 - 30 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1011

Abstract

The overuse of chemical fungicides against fungal pathogens adversely affects soil and plant health, resulting in environmental problems and food safety. Therefore, biocontrol is considered as an environmentally friendly and cost-effective green technique in environmental protection and agricultural production. We obtained a bacterial strain N23 from a contaminated plate which showed significant inhibition to anthracnose. The strain N23 was identified as Bacillus velezensis based on 16S rRNA gene, gyrA gene, and whole-genome sequence. The bacterium N23 was able to suppress the mycelial growth of numerous plant pathogenic fungi on solid media. Tomato seeds treated with strain N23 showed significantly higher germination levels than untreated ones. Moreover, strain N23 effectively reduced the lesion area of pepper anthracnose disease in planta. The gene clusters responsible for antifungal metabolites (fengycin, surfactin, and iturin) were identified in the genome sequence of N23 based on genome mining and PCR. Furthermore, methanol extracts of the bacterial culture caused significant inhibition in growth of the fungal Colletotrichum sp. and Botrytis cinerea. These findings suggested that B. velezensis N23 could be a potential biocontrol agent in agricultural production and a source of antimicrobial compounds for further exploitation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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14 pages, 1528 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus Influences Its Vector’s Endosymbionts but Not Its Thermotolerance

by Evatt Chirgwin, Qiong Yang, Paul A. Umina, Joshua A. Thia, Alex Gill, Wei Song, Xinyue Gu, Perran A. Ross, Shu-Jun Wei and Ary A. Hoffmann

Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010010 - 19 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 809

Abstract

The barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) of cereals is thought to substantially increase the high-temperature tolerance of its aphid vector, Rhopalosiphum padi, which may enhance its transmission efficiency. This is based on experiments with North American strains of BYDV and R. padi. Here, we independently test these by measuring the temperature tolerance, via Critical Thermal Maximum (CTmax) and knockdown time, of Australian R. padi infected with a local BYDV isolate. We further consider the interaction between BYDV transmission, the primary endosymbiont of R. padi (Buchnera aphidicola), and a transinfected secondary endosymbiont (Rickettsiella viridis) which reduces the thermotolerance of other aphid species. We failed to find an increase in tolerance to high temperatures in BYDV-infected aphids or an impact of Rickettsiella on thermotolerance. However, BYDV interacted with R. padi endosymbionts in unexpected ways, suppressing the density of Buchnera and Rickettsiella. BYDV density was also fourfold higher in Rickettsiella-infected aphids. Our findings indicate that BYDV does not necessarily increase the temperature tolerance of the aphid transmission vector to increase its transmission potential, at least for the genotype combinations tested here. The interactions between BYDV and Rickettsiella suggest new ways in which aphid endosymbionts may influence how BYDV spreads, which needs further testing in a field context. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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16 pages, 3811 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Genome and Transcriptome Analysis to Elucidate the Biocontrol Mechanism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens XJ5 against Alternaria solani

by Fan Mu, Xu Chen, Zhenxin Fu, Xue Wang, Jiexin Guo, Xiaojun Zhao and Baojun Zhang

Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2055; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082055 - 10 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1199

Abstract

Early blight, caused by Alternaria solani, is an important disease affecting tomatoes. Biological control offers an environmentally friendly approach to controlling pathogens. Herein, we identified a B. amyloliquefaciens strain XJ5 and investigated its biocontrol mechanism against A. solani. A. solani growth was significantly inhibited by XJ5, with the inhibition rate of cell-free culture supernatants reaching 82.3%. Furthermore, XJ5 crude protein extracts inhibited conidia germination and altered the mycelial morphology of A. solani. To uncover the potential biocontrol mechanism of XJ5, we analyzed its genome sequence and transcriptome. The genome of XJ5 comprised a 4.16 Mb circular chromosome and two circular plasmids. A total of 13 biosynthetic gene clusters and 127 genes encoding hydrolases were identified, suggestive of the ability of XJ5 to secrete antagonistic secondary metabolites and hydrolases. Transcript analysis revealed 174 differentially expressed genes on exposing A. solani to XJ5 crude protein extracts. The expression of genes related to chitin and mannose synthesis was downregulated, indicating that XJ5 metabolites may impact chitin and mannose synthesis in A. solani. Overall, these findings enhance our understanding of the interactions between B. amyloliquefaciens and phytopathogens and pave the way for the agricultural application of this promising biocontrol agent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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20 pages, 11624 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy of Streptomyces murinus JKTJ-3 in Suppression of Pythium Damping-Off of Watermelon

by Mihong Ge, Xiang Cai, Dehuan Wang, Huan Liang, Juhong Zhu, Guoqing Li and Xianfeng Shi

Microorganisms 2023, 11(6), 1360; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11061360 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1622

Abstract

Damping-off caused by Pythium aphanidermatum (Pa) is one of the most destructive diseases for watermelon seedlings. Application of biological control agents against Pa has attracted the attention of many researchers for a long time. In this study, the actinomycetous isolate JKTJ-3 with strong and broad-spectrum antifungal activity was screened from 23 bacterial isolates. Based on the morphological, cultural, physiological, and biochemical characteristics as well as the feature of 16S rDNA sequence, isolate JKTJ-3 was identified as Streptomyces murinus. We investigated the biocontrol efficacy of isolate JKTJ-3 and its metabolites. The results revealed that seed and substrate treatments with JKTJ-3 cultures showed a significant inhibitory effect on watermelon damping-off disease. Seed treatment with the JKTJ-3 cultural filtrates (CF) displayed higher control efficacy compared to the fermentation cultures (FC). Treatment of the seeding substrate with the wheat grain cultures (WGC) of JKTJ-3 exhibited better control efficacy than that of the seeding substrate with the JKTJ-3 CF. Moreover, the JKTJ-3 WGC showed the preventive effect on suppression of the disease, and the efficacy increased with increase in the inoculation interval between the WGC and Pa. Production of the antifungal metabolite actinomycin D by isolate JKTJ-3 and cell-wall-degrading enzymes such as β-1,3-glucanase and chitosanase were probably the mechanisms for effective control of watermelon damping-off. It was shown for the first time that S. murinus can produce anti-oomycete substances including chitinase and actinomycin D. This is the first report about S. murinus used as biocontrol agent against watermelon damping-off caused by Pa. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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Review

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25 pages, 4641 KiB

Open AccessReview

Bacillus Species: Excellent Biocontrol Agents against Tomato Diseases

by Vasiljka Karačić, Dragana Miljaković, Jelena Marinković, Maja Ignjatov, Dragana Milošević, Gordana Tamindžić and Milan Ivanović

Microorganisms 2024, 12(3), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12030457 - 24 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1463

Abstract

Tomatoes encounter many pathogens, such as fungi and bacteria, which reduce the yield and quality of plants and lead to large losses in production. The application of plant protection products (PPPs) is still an important and most effective measure to control plant diseases. However, the use of chemicals in agriculture contributes to environmental pollution and biodiversity loss, and it can also threaten non-target living organisms. Biological control is a widely accessible, environmentally safe, and cost-efficient alternative for the prevention and suppression of plant diseases. Bacillus species with antimicrobial and plant growth-promoting effects are most frequently used as biocontrol agents to increase the resilience of agricultural production against biotic stresses. The present review discusses the antagonistic mechanisms and the biocontrol potential of Bacillus spp. against tomato diseases caused by different pathogens. The main mechanisms of Bacillus spp. include the production of antimicrobial compounds (antibiotics, extracellular enzymes, siderophores, and volatile compounds), competition for nutrients and space, and induced systemic resistance (ISR). Although Bacillus-based PPPs have been developed and commercialised worldwide for various crops and pathogens, the efficiency issues are still subject to debate. Additionally, a combined strategy for controlling tomato diseases based on Bacillus spp. and other available methods (conventional or natural-based) is a promising research field. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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21 pages, 871 KiB

Open AccessReview

Endophytic Diaporthe as Promising Leads for the Development of Biopesticides and Biofertilizers for a Sustainable Agriculture

by Sandra Hilário and Micael F. M. Gonçalves

Microorganisms 2022, 10(12), 2453; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10122453 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2948

Abstract

Plant pathogens are responsible for causing economic and production losses in several crops worldwide, thus reducing the quality and quantity of agricultural supplies. To reduce the usage of chemically synthesized pesticides, strategies and approaches using microorganisms are being used in plant disease management. Most of the studies concerning plant-growth promotion and biological agents to control plant diseases are mainly focused on bacteria. In addition, a great portion of registered and commercialized biopesticides are bacterial-based products. Despite fungal endophytes having been identified as promising candidates for their use in biological control, it is of the utmost importance to develop and improve the existing knowledge on this research field. The genus Diaporthe, encompasses plant pathogens, saprobes and endophytes that have been screened for secondary metabolite, mainly due to their production of polyketides and a variety of unique bioactive metabolites with agronomic importance. Some of these metabolites exhibit antifungal and antibacterial activity for controlling plant pathogens, and phytotoxic activity for the development of potential mycoherbicides. Moreover, species of Diaporthe are reported as promising agents in the development of biofertilizers. For this reason, in this review we summarize the potential of Diaporthe species to produce natural products with application in agriculture and describe the benefits of these fungi to promote their host plant’s growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microorganisms as Biocontrol Agents in Plant Pathology)

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