<i>Priestia megaterium</i> KW16: A Novel Plant Growth-Promoting and Biocontrol Agent Against <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> in Oilseed Rape (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.)—Functional and Genomic Insights
Plant diseases caused by <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> present a significant challenge in agriculture. While chemical pesticides remain a common control strategy, their use leads to health and environmental problems. In contrast, endophytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Agriculture |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/13/1435 |
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| Summary: | Plant diseases caused by <i>Rhizoctonia solani</i> present a significant challenge in agriculture. While chemical pesticides remain a common control strategy, their use leads to health and environmental problems. In contrast, endophytic bacteria with plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity offer a promising, sustainable alternative. In this context, a novel endophytic <i>Priestia</i> megaterium strain, KW16, originated from the bluegrass (<i>Poa pratensis</i> L.), demonstrated distinct biocontrol potential against <i>R. solani</i>. in vitro assays showed that KW16 inhibited <i>R. solani</i> growth by up to 58%, primarily by releasing volatile compounds. In planta experiments further highlighted KW16′s ability to colonize oilseed rape internal tissues, significantly enhancing its growth and development. In the presence of the pathogen, KW16 abolished the negative impact of <i>R. solani</i> and promoted plant growth, increasing shoot and root biomass by 216% and 1737%, respectively, when compared to the plants grown in fungal-infested soil. Biochemical and genome analyses confirmed the strain’s metabolic versatility, resistance to biotic and abiotic factors, and a whole spectrum of PGP and biocontrol traits such as biofilm formation, production of phytohormones, and synthesis of lytic enzymes, siderophores, and volatiles, alongside its ability to survive in the presence of autochthonous soil microflora. These findings position KW16 as a potent biological alternative to synthetic fungicides, with significant potential for sustainable crop protection. |
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| ISSN: | 2077-0472 |