Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (8): 298-311.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-1200

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Biocontrol Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis JY-7-2L against Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux Root Rot and Its Potential Mechanisms

QIU Yu-jie, WANG Qian, ZENG Lin, HOU Hong-ji, GOU Yu-mei, ZOU Lan(), HUANG Jing()   

  1. 1.College of Life Sciences and Agri-forestry, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010
    2.Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010
  • Received:2025-11-06 Online:2026-08-26 Published:2026-08-17
  • Contact: ZOU Lan, HUANG Jing E-mail:zoulan@swust.edu.cn;huang.jing@swust.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the antagonistic activity of Bacillus subtilis JY-7-2 against the Aconitum carmichaelii Debeaux root rot pathogen Fusarium oxysporum and its biocontrol efficacy against the root rot in the field, with genomic analysis to elucidate the underlying antimicrobial mechanisms. Method We evaluated the antagonistic activity of strain JY-7-2L with a plate confrontation assay. In field trials, we assessed its biocontrol efficacy against root rot and its effects on the growth of A. carmichaelii Debeaux. We performed whole-genome sequencing using the Illumina NovaSeq and Oxford Nanopore platforms, conducted functional annotation of the genome with the COG, CAZy, GO, and KEGG databases, and predicted secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters with antiSMASH. Result Strain JY-7-2L significantly inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum and reduced the incidence of root rot in the field, achieving a biocontrol efficacy of 89.26%-93.77%. It also increased the dry weights of plant stems, main roots, and lateral roots. Both the cell-free fermentation filtrate and volatile organic compounds of JY-7-2L markedly suppressed the growth of F. oxysporum. The genome of JY-7-2L was 4.19 Mb in length with a GC content of 43.57%, encoding 4 234 genes. Genomic analysis revealed the presence of genes associated with antibiotic synthesis, biofilm formation, pathogen inhibition, plant growth promotion, and induction of plant systemic resistance. AntiSMASH analysis identified 11 secondary metabolite biosynthesis gene clusters, including 6 involved in the synthesis of antimicrobial compounds, and 3 potentially contribute to novel bioactive metabolites. Conclusion With its dual biocontrol and plant growth-promoting activities, Bacillus subtilis JY-7-2L shows strong potential for development as a biofertilizer and biocontrol agent.

Key words: Bacillus subtilis, biocontrol, Aconitum carmichaelii, root rot, whole genome, antifungal mechanism