Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (7): 269-279.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2025-0934

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Identification and Functional Analysis of Disease Prevention and Growth Promotion of Bacillus velezensis BPC37

SU Yan-yan1, ZUO Qiang1, SONG Zhi-shuang1, MU Lin-ying1, LYU Jia-yin1, XIAO Zi-min1, LU Zhi-jun2, XIE Hua1()   

  1. 1.Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097
    2.Beijing Plant Protection Station, Beijing 100029
  • Received:2025-08-28 Online:2026-07-26 Published:2026-07-20
  • Contact: XIE Hua E-mail:xiehua@baafs.net.cn

Abstract:

Objective This study aimed to clarify the biological characteristics of Bacillus velezensis BPC37 and its application potential in plant disease prevention and growth promotion, providing high-quality strain resources and theoretical basis for microbial inoculant development. Method The strain was identified through morphological observation, 16S rRNA gene sequencing, whole-genome average nucleotide identity (ANI) and DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) analysis. Antibacterial activity was determined by plate confrontation method, and the control effect on lettuce soft rot was evaluated by pot experiment. Salt-alkali tolerance, biofilm formation ability, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and characteristics of phosphate solubilization, potassium solubilization and enzyme production were analyzed by specific medium screening and quantitative determination. The growth-promoting effects on lettuce and sweet potato were verified by pot experiments, and disease resistance and growth-promoting related functional genes were mined through whole-genome sequencing. Result BPC37 was identified as Bacillus velezensis. It showed significant antagonistic effects against 6 species of plant pathogenic bacteria including Xanthomonas campestris campestris, with the inhibition zone diameter of 8.95 mm against X. campestris campestris. After treatment with BPC37, the incidence and lesion area of soft rot in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) decreased by 57.28% and 52.98% respectively, and the disease index dropped by 20%. The strain tolerated 10% NaCl concentration and pH 5.0-9.0 environment, and produced biofilm, IAA (4.8 μg/mL), cellulase and protease. Pot experiments showed that inoculation with BPC37 increased lettuce fresh weight by 66.28% and dry weight by 50.12%, and increased tuber fresh weight of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) by 14.50%. Whole-genome analysis revealed 20 disease resistance-related genes (involved in bacillaene, bacilysin synthesis, etc.) and 29 growth-promoting related genes (involved in biofilm formation, IAA synthesis, etc.). Conclusion Bacillus velezensis BPC37 has excellent disease prevention and growth promotion characteristics, salt-alkali tolerance, and carries abundant functional genes in its genome, which can be used as an excellent candidate strain for microbial inoculant development.

Key words: Bacillus velezensis, strain BPC37, disease prevention and growth promotion, salt and alkali tolerance, whole genome