Article
Microbiology
Henry D. Naranjo, Angelique Rat, Noemie De Zutter, Emmelie De Ridder, Liesbeth Lebbe, Kris Audenaert, Anne Willems
Summary: Phytopathogenic fungi pose a major threat to global food production, and the use of biocontrol agents derived from medicinal plants could provide an alternative to chemical fungicides. The study identified Pseudomonas sp. strain R-71838 as a promising candidate for biocontrol of fungal pathogens, based on its strong antifungal activity both in vitro and in planta.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ao Ding, Taswar Ahsan, Chen Wang, Di Han, Chao-Qun Zang, Yu-Qian Huang
Summary: In this study, Bacillus velezensis VR-34 was identified as a biocontrol antagonistic strain against Peyronellaea arachidicola, the fungus causing web blotch disease in peanut plants. In vitro and greenhouse assays showed that VR-34 had a significant antagonistic effect on P. arachidicola, resulting in a biocontrol efficacy of 93.52% in the pre-inoculated treatment. The SEM analysis revealed that VR-34 caused damage to the hyphal surfaces and spores of P. arachidicola.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rohit Patel, Krina Mehta, Jignesh Prajapati, Arpit Shukla, Paritosh Parmar, Dweipayan Goswami, Meenu Saraf
Summary: This article describes the microbiological understanding of Fusarium as a plant pathogen and introduces genetic immunization and genome mining methods to control the proliferation of Fusarium. By designing strategies that selectively target plant pathogens, sustainable genetic immunization of plants can be achieved without interfering with their natural functioning.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xianfeng Ren, Maria Teresa Brana, Miriam Haidukowski, Antonia Gallo, Qi Zhang, Antonio F. Logrieco, Peiwu Li, Shancang Zhao, Claudio Altomare
Summary: This study examined the inhibitory action of 20 Trichoderma isolates against aflatoxigenic A. flavus and their efficacy in reducing aflatoxin formation. It was found that some isolates were able to significantly inhibit the growth of A. flavus and reduce the production of aflatoxin B-1. However, the mechanism behind the reduction of aflatoxin content was not associated with the downregulation of aflatoxin synthesis genes. Further studies are needed to identify the metabolites involved in the biocontrol of A. flavus and evaluate the efficacy under different conditions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ayako Kusakabe, Istvan Molnar, S. Patricia Stock
Summary: This study found that a single root application of a mixture of trans-cinnamic acid (t-CA) and (4E)-5-phenylpent-4-enoic acid (PPA) significantly reduced the penetration of Meloidogyne incognita infective juveniles (J2s) into cowpea roots without impairing plant growth or chlorophyll content.
Article
Microbiology
Popy Bora, Sukanya Gogoi, Mukund Vinayak Deshpande, Pankaj Garg, Rana P. Bhuyan, Nilofar Altaf, Nikita Saha, Sapna Mayuri Borah, Mousumi Phukon, Nabajit Tanti, Bishal Saikia, Shenaz Sultana Ahmed, Sanjib Ranjan Borah, Ashish Dutta, Bidyut Kumar Sarmah
Summary: In this study, the potential of rhizospheric Bacillus spp. (B. amyloliquefaciens BAC1, B. subtilis LB22, and B. velezensis AB22) against O. coffeae was explored through in vitro experiments. The results showed that B. velezensis AB22 exhibited the highest adult and egg mortality, with 100%. Furthermore, four putative bioactive secondary metabolites were identified in all three Bacillus species, which were responsible for their efficacy against O. coffeae. This study suggests the possibility of introducing Bacillus spp. as a biological miticide and developing synthetic metabolites to mimic the mechanism of microbial efficacy.
Review
Plant Sciences
Paulina Guzman-Guzman, Ajay Kumar, Sergio de los Santos-Villalobos, Fannie I. Parra-Cota, Ma. del Carmen Orozco-Mosqueda, Ayomide Emmanuel Fadiji, Sajjad Hyder, Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, Gustavo Santoyo
Summary: Biocontrol agents (BCA) such as fungi from the genus Trichoderma are increasingly being used in agriculture to prevent crop losses and enhance plant food production in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Trichoderma species possess various biocontrol traits, making them versatile in controlling plant pathogens, nematodes, and pests. They can be used alone or in combination with other beneficial microbes as part of bioformulations. This review highlights the biocontrol traits of six commonly used Trichoderma species and their importance as alternatives to chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Andres Costa, Belen Corallo, Vanesa Amarelle, Silvina Stewart, Dinorah Pan, Susana Tiscornia, Elena Fabiano
Summary: A strain of Paenibacillus sp. UY79 isolated from wild peanut was found to exhibit antagonistic activity against various fungi and oomycetes. It produces volatile compounds that can inhibit the growth of these pathogens. Furthermore, it does not affect the symbiotic association or growth promotion of alfalfa plants when co-inoculated with rhizobia. This strain shows great potential as a biofungicide.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Anne Muola, Traci Birge, Marjo Helander, Suni Mathew, Vili Harazinova, Kari Saikkonen, Benjamin Fuchs
Summary: This study examined the endophytic potential and plant protection role of Beauveria bassiana on oilseed rape through seed inoculation. The results showed that B. bassiana can colonize oilseed rape as an endophyte and induce the synthesis of various flavonoids. However, the use of B. bassiana as an endophyte for plant protection against pests or pathogens on oilseed rape remains unclear.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Horticulture
Davide Palmieri, Giuseppe Ianiri, Carmine Del Grosso, Giuseppe Barone, Filippo De Curtis, Raffaello Castoria, Giuseppe Lima
Summary: The use of synthetic fungicides is limited due to eco-toxicological risks, thus there is a need for safer biocontrol agents. Research on selection, evaluation, characterization, and formulation of BCAs is crucial for sustainable agricultural management. Optimizing BCA activity, sharing formulation knowledge, and simplifying registration procedures are important for the development and utilization of effective bioformulates.
Article
Plant Sciences
Melina Ramos, Nuria Daranas, Merce Llugany, Roser Tolra, Emilio Montesinos, Esther Badosa
Summary: The present study aims to evaluate the response of three Mediterranean local grapevines to treatments with biocontrol products and to identify gene marker candidates and differentially concentrated grapevine metabolites. The treatments had an effect on defense pathways and several gene markers were identified presenting a stable overexpression after the treatments in the three grapevine cultivars.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Limin Chen, Xiaowei Li, Jinming Zhang, Tianjun He, Jun Huang, Zhijun Zhang, Yeyang Wang, Muhammad Hafeez, Shuxing Zhou, Xiaoyun Ren, Youming Hou, Yaobin Lu
Summary: The study found differential accumulation of volatile organic compounds and metabolites in eggplants and tomatoes in response to Tuta absoluta infestation, with terpenes playing a key role in the differences observed. These differentially accumulated metabolites and volatile compounds are crucial in eggplant resistance to T. absoluta, indicating their significant impact on the behavior of this pest.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Alicia Fernandez-San Millan, Jordi Gamir, Inmaculada Farran, Luis Larraya, Jon Veramendi
Summary: This study characterizes the antifungal compounds present in the exometabolome of Metschnikowia pulcherrima yeast strains that show strong antagonistic activity against postharvest pathogens. The results demonstrate the potential of these compounds as biocontrol agents and highlight the synergistic action of multiple active molecules.
POSTHARVEST BIOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhicheng Zhou, Xianying Tang, Lijuan Peng, Haixia Ding
Summary: Bacillus velezensis GUAL210 was isolated from the rhizosphere of healthy pepper plants in high-incidence anthracnose fields in Guizhou, China. It could be used as a potential biocontrol agent against pepper anthracnose and other soil-borne diseases. The genome of GUAL210 consisted of a single circular chromosome with a length of 4,011,788 bp and an average GC content of 46.41%, without any plasmids. A total of 4,115 protein-coding genes, 27 rRNAs, 87 tRNAs, and 12 secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters were identified. The study revealed the presence of different gene clusters producing various compounds, such as bacilysin, surfactin, bacteriocin, bacillaene, and terpene, which could potentially aid in the inhibition of pathogens and provide valuable data for exploring the biocontrol mechanisms of B. velezensis strains.
Article
Microbiology
Hongyi Liu, Dazhi Hao, Yaqian Li, Xinhua Wang, Jie Chen
Summary: Co-cultivation of Trichoderma and other microorganisms can effectively control plant diseases. This study aimed to establish an optimal co-culture system of multiple Trichoderma strains for high production of metabolites that promote plant growth and exhibit antagonistic activity against pathogens. The optimal inoculum sequence, fermentation time, and co-culture nutrient formula were determined using inoculation technique, fermentation kinetic modeling, and response surface methodology. The results showed that co-culture metabolites obtained by simultaneous inoculation were more effective in promoting cucumber seedling growth compared to those obtained by sequence inoculation. The optimal fermentation time was determined as 96-120 hours, and the optimized nutrient formula consisted of corn flour, potassium hydrogen phosphate, tryptophan, seaweed residue, ferrous sulfate heptahydrate, and ammonium sulfate. The findings of this study provide insights into the development of a co-culture system for Trichoderma strains to enhance plant growth promotion.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Tomislav Cernava, Gabriele Berg
Summary: Recent discoveries have shown that certain bacteria have disease-preventing abilities within the microbiota of crop plants, a phenomenon that is new in the field of plant microbiome research. Technological constraints have limited these findings, but similar discoveries are likely in other plant species.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ahmed Abdelfattah, Ayco J. M. Tack, Birgit Wasserman, Jia Liu, Gabriele Berg, John Norelli, Samir Droby, Michael Wisniewski
Summary: The study found that the endophytic microbiome of domesticated apples and their wild progenitors exhibit higher diversity and abundance, and the microbiome of domesticated apples is a mixture of its wild progenitors. Additionally, there is a significant correlation between the evolutionary distance of Malus species and their microbiome composition.
Article
Microbiology
Gabriele Berg, Tomislav Cernava
Summary: This commentary discusses the specific signatures in microbiota affected by human activities and highlights the importance of microbiome research in addressing the challenges associated with anthropogenic-driven changes. The findings suggest that these changes in microbiota diversity and composition have implications for both plant health and planetary health, leading to dysbiosis, loss of resilience, and increased pathogen outbreaks.
Article
Microbiology
Sunde Xu, Yong-Xin Liu, Tomislav Cernava, Hongkai Wang, Yaqi Zhou, Tie Xia, Shugeng Cao, Gabriele Berg, Xing-Xing Shen, Ziyue Wen, Chunshun Li, Baoyuan Qu, Hefei Ruan, Yunrong Chai, Xueping Zhou, Zhonghua Ma, Yan Shi, Yunlong Yu, Yang Bai, Yun Chen
Summary: This study identified the bacterial microbiome associated with fungal fruiting bodies and discovered an effective bacterium, Pantoea agglomerans ZJU23, that suppresses fungal growth and infection. The study also identified a key antifungal compound, Herbicolin A, secreted by ZJU23, and determined its biosynthetic gene cluster. Herbicolin A demonstrated potent efficacy against various fungal pathogens both in vitro and in planta, and showed a distinct mode of action. Additionally, Herbicolin A exhibited higher activity against human opportunistic fungal pathogens than clinically used fungicides.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Birgit Wassermann, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Henry Muller, Lise Korsten, Gabriele Berg
Summary: The study revealed that apples harbor a diverse range of antimicrobial resistance genes, even though their abundance is relatively low. Post-harvest and intercontinental transport significantly altered the apple microbiome and resistome, with an increase in multidrug resistance-associated genes and changes in microbial composition. Storage and transport were identified as potential factors in distributing antimicrobial resistance globally, emphasizing the importance of surveillance in complex food chains.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Rocio Olmo, Stefanie Urimare Wetzels, Jaderson Silveira Leite Armanhi, Paulo Arruda, Gabriele Berg, Tomislav Cernava, Paul D. Cotter, Solon Cordeiro Araujo, Rafael Soares Correa de Souza, Ilario Ferrocino, Jens C. Frisvad, Marina Georgalaki, Hanne Helene Hansen, Maria Kazou, George Seghal Kiran, Tanja Kostic, Susanne Krauss-Etschmann, Aicha Kriaa, Lene Lange, Emmanuelle Maguin, Birgit Mitter, Mette Olaf Nielsen, Marta Olivares, Narciso Martin Quijada, Marina Romani-Perez, Yolanda Sanz, Michael Schloter, Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin, Sarah Craven Seaton, Joseph Selvin, Angela Sessitsch, Mengcen Wang, Benjamin Zwirzitz, Evelyne Selberherr, Martin Wagner
Summary: Microbiome research plays a crucial role in advancing the agrifood system, with applications in disease management, soil and plant improvement, food fermentation, food safety, and human and animal health.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Genetics & Heredity
Tomislav Cernava, Daria Rybakova, Francois Buscot, Thomas Clavel, Alice Carolyn McHardy, Fernando Meyer, Folker Meyer, Jorg Overmann, Barbel Stecher, Angela Sessitsch, Michael Schloter, Gabriele Berg
Summary: This article introduces the key issues regarding the current system for metadata submission in omics research and proposes the development of a global metadata system. The system should be easy to use, structured in a hierarchical way, and compatible with existing microbiome data repositories. The article also emphasizes the need for greater awareness and engagement of the scientific community in international legal issues related to genetic resource and sequence sharing.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wisnu Adi Wicaksono, Maria Braun, Joerg Bernhardt, Katharina Riedel, Tomislav Cernava, Gabriele Berg
Summary: The study highlights the potential evolutionary consequences of chemical exposure on native bacterial communities and their antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The resilience of the native microbiota towards antimicrobials is not solely dependent on the presence of antibiotic resistance genes, but also on the adaptive metabolic activity for survival. The research emphasizes the importance of native microbiomes as reservoirs of AMR that have been overlooked so far.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Birgit Wassermann, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Tomislav Cernava, Wisnu Wicaksono, Gabriele Berg
Summary: Microbiomes in plants have the potential to enhance plant resilience to different stresses, but they are influenced by the host's physiology and environment during the plant's life cycle. Currently, a significant percentage of fruits and vegetables are lost during production or storage, and there is a lack of sufficient biological control for spoilage and storage diseases. Novel multiomics technologies offer the opportunity to study the microbiome and its responses at a community level, leading to more effective and robust solutions for fruit and vegetable storability, quality, and safety.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wisnu Adi Wicaksono, Aisa Buko, Peter Kusstatscher, Aki Sinkkonen, Olli H. Laitinen, Suvi M. Virtanen, Heikki Hyoty, Tomislav Cernava, Gabriele Berg
Summary: This study investigated the microbiota of apple fruits before and after processing. The findings show that heat and mechanical treatment significantly affect the fruit's microbiota, with boiling and air drying reducing the microbial load. However, a substantial fraction of the microbiota still survives. Processing also leads to changes in the composition of fruit microbiota, with an increase in low abundant taxa and a decrease in others.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ahmed Abdelfattah, Ayco J. M. Tack, Carolina Lobato, Birgit Wassermann, Gabriele Berg
Summary: This study proposes dividing the microbial inheritance process into three stages: plant to seed, seed dormancy, and seed to seedling. It discusses the factors affecting microbiome assembly during these stages, highlights future research directions, and emphasizes the implications of microbial inheritance for fundamental science and society.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Wisnu Adi Wicaksono, Tomislav Cernava, Birgit Wassermann, Ahmed Abdelfattah, Maria J. Soto-Giron, Gerardo V. Toledo, Suvi M. Virtanen, Mikael Knip, Heikki Hyoty, Gabriele Berg
Summary: This study reveals evidence that bacteria derived from fruits and vegetables could be found in the human gut and contribute to gut microbiome diversity. The consumption of fruits and vegetables potentially benefits the gut microbiota by providing health-promoting genes for the production of vitamins and short-chain fatty acids.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Adrian Wolfgang, Ayco J. M. Tack, Gabriele Berg, Ahmed Abdelfattah
Summary: This study investigates the effects of soil microbiomes on plant and aphid microbiomes, as well as the reciprocal impact of aphid herbivory on the plant and soil microbiomes. The results indicate that soil microbiomes significantly influence the microbial communities of phyllospheres and aphids, and aphid herbivory also affects the composition of soil microbiomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME
(2023)
Article
Soil Science
Expedito Olimi, Samuel Bickel, Wisnu Adi Wicaksono, Peter Kusstatscher, Robert Matzer, Tomislav Cernava, Gabriele Berg
Summary: This study used amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR to analyze microbial communities of composts, biodynamic manures, and plant preparations from Austria and France. The study found that the microbial communities of biodynamic manures and plant preparations were specific for each production site, but all contained potentially plant-beneficial bacterial genera. In addition, the application of biodynamic preparations in apple orchards had a non-significant effect on the apple rhizosphere microbiome.
FRONTIERS IN SOIL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Burkhardt Flemer, Sneha Gulati, Alessandro Bergna, Manuela Raendler, Tomislav Cernava, Katja Witzel, Gabriele Berg, Rita Grosch
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of abiotic and biotic stress factors on tomato plant growth and root bacterial composition. The results showed that tomato growth and photosynthetic activity were reduced under all stress conditions. The microbiota structure and function changed, and stressor-specific enrichments of beneficial bacteria in the roots were discovered.
PHYTOBIOMES JOURNAL
(2022)
