Genome analysis uncovers the prolific antagonistic and plant growth-promoting potential of endophyte Bacillus velezensis K1

Gene. 2022 Jun 14:146671. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.146671. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTInsights into the application of endophytic bacilli in sustainable agricultural practices have opened up new avenues for the inhibition of soil-borne pathogens and the improvement of plant health. Bacillus subtilis K1, an endophytic bacterium originally isolated from aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis is a potential biocontrol agent secreting a mixture of surfactins, iturins and fengycins. The current study extends the characterization of this bacterium through genomic and comparative genomics approaches. The sequencing of the bacterial genome at Illumina MiSeq platform revealed that it possessed a 4,103,502-bp circular chromosome with 45.98 % GC content and 4325 predicted protein-coding sequences. Based on phylogenomics and whole-genome average nucleotide identity, the B. subtilis K1 was taxonomically classified as Bacillus velezensis. The formerly evaluated phenotypic traits viz. C-source utilization and lipopeptide-mediated fungal antagonism were correlated to their molecular determinants. The genome also harbored several genes associated with induced systemic resistance and plant growth promotion i.e, phytohormone production, nitrogen assimilation and reduction, siderophore production, phosphate solubilization, biofilm formation, swarming motility, acetoin and butanediol synthesis. The production of antifungal volatile organic compounds and plant growth promotion was experimentally de...

Source: Gene - June 17, 2022 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Sandhya Nanjani Riteshri Soni Dhiraj Paul Hareshkumar Keharia Source Type: research