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PubMed2025

Broad-spectrum antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of dandelion endophytic bacteria against multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Microbial secondary metabolites have long served as a key source of natural product-based drugs. This study evaluates the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activities of endophytic bacteria derived from dandelion, focusing on their effects against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates. In total, 33 endophytic bacteria strains were isolated from Taraxacum ohwianum, representing 15 genera. Among these, 13 exhibited antibacterial activity, with 6 demonstrating efficacy against MDR clinical isolates. The endogenous strain Bacillus velezensis DR8 showed strong antibacterial activity against all three MDR strains tested and exerted inhibitory effects on the biofilm formation and dispersal of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Genome sequencing and antibiotics and secondary metabolite analysis shell analysis revealed that this strain harbors 12 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) associated with secondary metabolite production. Of these, seven BGCs exhibited ≥ 80% similarity to known clusters, suggesting the potential to synthesize surfactin, difficidin, fengycin, bacillaene, macrolactin H, bacilysin, and bacillibactin. Overall, these findings indicate that endophytic bacteria from dandelion are a potential source of antibacterial compounds and biofilm formation inhibitors.

Endophytes↗

PubMed2026

Whole-genome sequencing and characterization of Pseudomonas stutzeri P1 endophyte isolated from potato unveils plant growth-promoting and other traits.

Endophytic bacteria play an important role in plant growth promotion and stress tolerance, offering sustainable alternatives to chemical inputs in agriculture. In this study, an endophytic bacterial strain P1 was isolated and identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri, a plant-associated bacterium exhibiting multiple plant growth-promoting traits (PGPTs). Biochemical (qualitative and quantitative) and in vitro analyses demonstrated nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, ammonia production, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, biofilm formation, and tolerance to abiotic stresses, including salinity and drought. Furthermore, the P1 strain displayed strong biocontrol activity against the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cumini, indicating its potential to mitigate biotic stress. Whole-genome sequencing generated a high-quality complete genome of 4,758,235 bp. Functional annotation showed enrichment of metabolic pathways associated with plant-microbe interactions and environmental adaptation. Further analyses using KEGG and PGPT-pred data confirmed the presence of genes associated with direct and indirect PGPT, such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, biofilm formation, and stress tolerance. The genome also contained genes related to CAZymes, adhesion, and motility, highlighting a strong plant association, whereas the genome lacked major virulence factors and antimicrobial traits, supporting the non-pathogenic nature of the P1 strain. Overall, these findings demonstrate the potential of P1 as a promising bioinoculant candidate for sustainable agriculture in the potato sector.

PGPT-associated genes↗

PubMed2026

Characterization of culturable endophytes and microbial communities in the rhizosphere and pitcher fluid of the carnivorous plant Nepenthes khasiana.

Endophytes colonize plant tissues through roots and shoots without causing harm and can move throughout the plant via its vascular system. However, little is known about culturable endophytes, particularly bacteria, in pitcher plants, and their possible entry through pitcher fluid remains unexplored. To address this gap, we isolated endophytes from the pitcher plant Nepenthes khasiana, and performed metagenomic analysis of its rhizospheric soil and pitcher fluid, from which bacteria and fungi were also isolated, to investigate the possible origin of these endophytes. We found that culturable endophytic bacteria were predominantly associated with roots and seeds, whereas endophytic fungi were more abundant across the N. khasiana pitcher. Although most endophytes were restricted to specific tissues, some exhibited a broader distribution across nearly the entire plant. Several OTUs from the rhizospheric soil matched endophytes at the genus level, including some that were also detected in the pitcher fluid. Specifically, three bacterial genera - Enterobacter, Staphylococcus and Bacillus - and one fungal genus, Cladosporium, detected in the pitcher fluid, matched the isolated endophytes. These findings suggest that endophytes in N. khasiana most likely originate from the rhizosphere, with possible migration into the pitcher fluid.

Rhizosphere↗

PubMed2026

Biocontrol Potential and Mechanism of Endophytic Bacillus velezensis WSR1 Against Rubber Tree Anthracnose.

Fungal leaf anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum species, is a major leaf disease of rubber trees, significantly reducing global natural rubber yields. To explore sustainable and safe biological control strategies, eight bacterial strains were isolated from rubber tree tissues, demonstrating antagonistic activity against Colletotrichum pathogens (C. siamense and C. australisinense). Among these, WSR1 exhibited the most pronounced antifungal effect, with inhibition rates of 87.64 and 89.03% against C. siamense and C. australisinense, respectively. Genomic analysis identified WSR1 as Bacillus velezensis. In pot experiments, WSR1 exhibited preventive efficacy of 77.24 and 73.42% for C. siamense- and C. australisinense-induced anthracnose, respectively, with therapeutic efficacy of 42.28 and 45.57%. WSR1 compromised the integrity of the cell walls and membranes of both C. siamense and C. australisinense, while inducing reactive oxygen species accumulation within the hyphae. Additionally, WSR1 enhanced rubber tree resistance to anthracnose by activating defense-related enzymes, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase. Plate assays and genomic analysis revealed that WSR1 secretes fungal cell wall-degrading enzymes (cellulases, pectinases, and proteases) and siderophores. Furthermore, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and gene cluster analysis confirmed the synthesis of antagonistic secondary metabolites, such as surfactin, macrolactin H, and fengycin. This study represents the first identification of B. velezensis as a potential biocontrol agent against rubber tree anthracnose, offering a promising candidate for the eco-friendly management of rubber tree diseases.

C. australisinense↗

PubMed2026

Draft genome sequence of Pantoea sp. strain S-LA4, a potential plant probiotic endophyte isolated from the medicinal plant Leucas aspera.

Pantoea sp. strain S-LA4 is an endophytic bacterium isolated from the leaf tissue of the medicinal plant Leucas aspera. The 4.93-Mbp draft genome of S-LA4 is predictive to encode several enzymes and secondary metabolites of plant growth promotion and bio-pesticidal activity, underscoring its potential for sustainable disease management in agriculture.

Oxford Nanopore sequencing↗

PubMed2026

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus subtilis strain S-LA1, a potential plant probiotic endophyte from the medicinal plant Leucas aspera.

Bacillus subtilis strain S-LA1 is an endophytic bacterium isolated from Leucas aspera roots that harbors a 4.2 Mbp genome predicted to encode several traits for nutrient acquisition, plant growth promotion, and plant probiotic efficacy. Genomic characterization underscores its potential as a microbial resource supporting sustainable agriculture and crop disease management strategies.

Bacillus↗

PubMed2026

Host genetic regulation of xylem-resident Pseudomonas enhances cucumber growth.

BACKGROUND: Although endophytic microorganisms play a critical role in plant growth and stress resilience, the genetic basis underlying host selection of beneficial microbiota-particularly within the xylem-remains poorly understood. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus), as a crop model with a well-developed system for studying vascular biology, offers a valuable system to investigate the host genetic determinants of xylem microbiome assembly. RESULTS: By conducting population-level microbiome profiling across 109 cucumber accessions, we identified a conserved xylem microbiota dominated by Proteobacteria. Within this community, 20 core amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were consistently present in xylem sap. Genome-wide association mapping identified a host genetic locus, CsXPR1, which encodes a tetratricopeptide repeat protein that regulates the abundance of the dominant xylem-colonized Pseudomonas ASV_4. Colonization patterns of ASV_4 varied across host genotypes and were correlated with CsXPR1 expression levels, suggesting a precision genetic regulation of bacterial entry into vascular tissues. Pseudomonas fulva strain 220, with 97% 16S rRNA gene identity with ASV_4, could colonize in cucumber xylem by inoculation of either roots or leaves. Genome analysis and plate assays revealed the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), solubilization of phosphate, and a range of plant beneficial traits in strain 220. Inoculation with strain 220 significantly enhanced growth in cucumber, but only in CsXPR1 haplotype that exhibited high gene expression and higher recruitment capacity of the strain. These benefits included notable increases in plant height (38%), stem diameter (36%), leaf area (61%), fresh and dry weight (51% and 85%, respectively), and a 4.57-fold increase in 4-methyleneglutamine content within the xylem sap. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal a complete "gene-to-function" pathway where the host gene CsXPR1 mediates a genotype-dependent growth promotion. It achieves this by regulating the xylem colonization of a beneficial bacterium, Pseudomonas fulva, which in turn enhances plant growth by enriching the xylem sap with the key metabolite 4-methyleneglutamine. Video Abstract.

Cucumis sativus↗

PubMed2025

Diversity of leaf- and root microbiomes among genotypes and market classes of desert-grown lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.).

Plant microbiomes are increasingly acknowledged both as extensions of plant characteristics and as biological factors that influence plant traits important for nutrition and resilience. In the context of global change, manipulation of microbiomes has the potential to complement genetic approaches to enhance crop health and productivity under rising heat and drought stress. Understanding the factors that influence microbial communities and their variation across plant genotypes is essential for developing such capabilities. We employed metabarcoding via the Illumina sequencing platform to investigate microbial communities that occur within healthy leaves and roots of 12 lettuce genotypes (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in a desert agriculture environment. We detected diverse foliar- and root-endophytic fungi and bacteria in field-grown lettuce at the Maricopa Agricultural Center (Arizona, USA). The composition of microbial community structure varied with foliar chemistry and root traits. Notably, levels of zinc and other beneficial nutrients in the leaves were strongly linked with specific endophytes. These results document the lettuce microbiome in desert farming and provide insights into endophytes in lettuce leaves, which are noteworthy because they remain after washing and are regularly ingested.

Lactuca↗

PubMed1975

Ultrastructure of the Alnus crispa var. mollis Fern. root nodule endophyte.

Nitrogen-fixing, field-obtained root nodules of the silky green alder were studied by transmission electron microscopy. The nodule endophyte exhibited a prokaryotic cytology and was present in two forms: the hypha(0.3-1.0mum), which was branched and septate, and the vesicle (3-5mum), which was also septate and developed at the parental hypha tip. Bacteria-like cells, previously observed in light microscopy studies, were not seen in the present work. The actinomycete-like endophyte penetrated through the host cell wall and becane enveloped by a capsular material (0.1mum), the whole being enclosed by host membranes. In some host cells, the endophyte appeared to lyse and become a mass of shrunken debris. The fine structure of the Alnus crispa var. mollis root nodule endophyte was found to be similar to that of other nonleguminous root nodule endophytes.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2025

Nodules-associated Klebsiella oxytoca complex: genomic insights into plant growth promotion and health risk assessment.

The swift emergence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) across interconnected One Health compartments poses a significant global threat. Although plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria possess numerous attributes beneficial to host plants, many of these bacteria also harbor ARGs, necessitating a focused assessment of their negative implications. In this context, here we performed whole genome sequencing of 14 PGP endophytic strains isolated from root nodules of faba beans, belonging to three Klebsiella oxytoca species complex (KoSC): K. grimontii (n = 5), K. michiganensis (n = 5), and K. pasteurii (n = 4). We performed comparative genomics, molecular typing, and pangenome analyses on these strains. We identified significant diversity within the KoSC population, classifying the strains into five sequence types (STs), three of which are novel to this study (ST-542, ST-569, and ST-629). Phylogenomic analysis revealed that the bacterial strains clustered more closely by ST than by their source of isolation. Annotation of gene clusters indicated that all assembled genomes are enriched with genes involved in PGP activities, alongside a robust array of genes conferring tolerance to abiotic stresses. Importantly, our findings disclosed that the 14 assembled genomes harbored multiple ARGs, conferring resistance to various antibiotic classes, with 71% of the population classified as multidrug-resistant based on the in vitro antibiotic susceptibility assay. Furthermore, all genomes contained an array of virulence factors critical for survival, pathogenesis, biofilm formation, and root colonization. In conclusion, this study substantiates the hypothesis that certain PGP bacteria may serve as potential reservoirs of multidrug resistance, posing significant public health risks. Thus, the future advancement of bacteria-based biofertilizers should integrate environmental considerations and monitor their impact on antibiotic resistance dissemination in soil ecosystems.

Klebsiella oxytoca↗

PubMed2026

Endophytic fungi isolated from coffee plants promote Arabidopsis thaliana growth and suppress soil-borne fungal pathogens.

Endophytic beneficial microorganisms are widely used in agriculture for promoting plant growth and enhancing plant defense mechanisms. This study aimed to characterize endophytic fungi isolated from the roots of coffee plants cultivated in organic agroforestry systems and evaluate their potential as biocontrol agents against fungal pathogens, as well as their ability to promote plant growth. Biocontrol activity was assessed using in vitro dual-culture assays on potato dextrose agar, measuring the inhibition of pathogen growth. Plant growth promotion was evaluated by co-cultivating Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings with fungal isolates on Murashige and Skoog medium. Isolates were further subjected to both qualitative and quantitative biochemical characterization. A total of 18 endophytic fungal strains were identified and classified in five genera: Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Simplicillium, Lasiodiplodia and Trichoderma. Among these, ten Trichoderma isolates demonstrated strong antagonistic activity against selected fungal pathogens and significantly enhanced the growth of Arabidopsis seedlings in vitro. These beneficial effects were associated with the production of siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid, as well as the apparent nitrogen availability -- likely mediated through interactions with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2026

Characteristics and assembly mechanisms of tobacco-associated bacteria in typical tobacco-planting regions across China.

INTRODUCTION: Plant-associated microbiota critically modulates host growth and environmental adaptation, yet assembly mechanisms, niche differentiation, and ecological strategies of bacterial communities inhabiting tobacco microhabitats remain poorly elucidated across geographical gradients. METHODS: Here, we systematically characterized bacterial microbiome assembly across five tobacco-associated niches (bulk soil, rhizosphere soil, root, stem, and leaf) from seven typical tobacco-planting regions using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, genome annotation, and niche breadth analysis. The independent and interactive effects of geographical location and host compartment on community structure, and further compared genomic traits, functional profiles, and life-history strategies between specialist and generalist bacterial populations were quantified. RESULTS: The results revealed a deterministic soil-plant continuum stratification of bacterial communities and diversity, with progressively simplified communities and decreasing alpha diversity from bulk soil to above-ground tissues, accompanied by progressive dominance of Proteobacteria. Geographical factors predominantly structured soil microbial communities via divergent edaphic properties, while host filtering acted as a universal dominant driver shaping endophytic microbiome assembly. Niche differentiation analysis demonstrated that niche-specialized bacterial ASVs overwhelmingly dominated all microhabitats and geographical sites, whereas generalist taxa only constituted auxiliary populations. Although specialist and generalist microbes exhibited highly conserved core genomic architectures and overall functional repertoires, they displayed distinct niche-specific functional divergence in metabolic pathways, stress resistance, and secondary metabolism across host compartments. Life-history strategy analysis further revealed that Y-strategist represented the core adaptive bacterial population, especially enriched in above-ground tobacco tissues. DISCUSSION: Our study establishes a hierarchical dual-filtering assembly model for tobacco microbiota, clarifies the ecological differentiation and functional adaptation of specialist and generalist bacteria, and provides fundamental insights into the assembly rules and adaptive mechanisms of crop-associated microbiomes for future microbial resource utilization and agricultural microbiome regulation.

biogeography↗

PubMed2024

Metagenome-based diversity and functional analysis of culturable microbes in sugarcane.

UNLABELLED: Sugarcane is a key crop for sugar and energy production, and understanding the diversity of its associated microbes is crucial for optimizing its growth and health. However, there is a lack of thorough investigation and use of microbial resources in sugarcane. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of culturable microbes and their functional features in different tissues and rhizosphere soil of four diverse sugarcane species using metagenomics techniques. The results revealed significant microbial diversity in sugarcane's tissues and rhizosphere soil, including several important biomarker bacterial taxa identified, which are reported to engage in several processes that support plant growth, such as nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and the production of plant hormones. The Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) studies identified unique microbial communities in different parts of the same sugarcane species, particularly Burkholderia, which exhibited significant variations across the sugarcane species. Microbial analysis of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) indicated that genes related to sucrose metabolism were mostly present in specific bacterial taxa, including Burkholderia, Pseudomonas, Paraburkholderia, and Chryseobacterium. This study improves understanding of the diversities and functions of endophytes and rhizosphere soil microbes in sugarcane. Moreover, the approaches and findings of this study provide valuable insights for microbiome research and the use of comparable technologies in other agricultural fields. IMPORTANCE: This work utilized metagenomics techniques for conducting a comprehensive examination of culturable microbes and their functional characteristics in various tissues and rhizosphere soil of four distinct sugarcane species. This study enhances comprehension of the diversity and functions of endophytes and rhizosphere soil microbes in sugarcane. Furthermore, the methodologies and discoveries of this work offer new perspectives for microbiome investigation and the use of similar technologies in other agricultural fields.

Saccharum↗

PubMed2025

Streptomyces huangiella sp. nov., an endophytic actinomycete isolated from Pheretima aspergillum, a promising candidate for biological pathogen control.

UNLABELLED: Pheretima aspergillum (E. Perrier) is an annelid of the genus Pheretima in the family Megascolecidae, a species of earthworm, whose dried body (Guang Dilong) is a traditional Chinese animal medicine. A new actinobacterium strain, named HD1123-B1T, was isolated from the gut contents of Pheretima aspergillum caught in the wild in Guangzhou, China. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the strain was primarily identified as a member of the genus Streptomyces, sharing more than 98% sequence identity to Streptomyces endocoffeicus CA3R110T (98.80%), Streptomyces coffeae CA1R205T (98.47%), and Streptomyces iranensis HM35T (97.93%). The whole genome size of strain HD1123-B1T was approximately 8.9 Mbp, with 7,464 predicted genes and 71.42 mol% DNA C+G content. Comparative genomic analyses based on digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values revealed that strain HD1123-B1T represents a novel species within the genus Streptomyces. Additionally, 38 biosynthetic gene clusters for secondary metabolites were also predicted in the genome of strain HD1123-B1T. Based on LC-MS/MS analysis, the nigericin biosynthesis gene cluster has been completely characterized. The ethyl acetate crude extract of strain HD1123-B1T exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25213, etc) and gram-negative bacteria Ralstonia solanacearum GIM 1.70. Based on these results, HD1123-B1T could be confirmed as an isolate that represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces huangiella sp. nov. is proposed. IMPORTANCE: As the largest genus of the phylum Actinomycetes, Streptomyces is a kind of microbial resources with great practical and economic value. Due to their unique physiological properties and metabolic capacity, Streptomyces have become an important source of bioactive compounds in the world and play an indispensable role in medical and industrial fields. With the advancement of molecular biology and genomics, researchers can more deeply explore the metabolic potential of Actinomycetes, discovering and developing new biologically active compounds. These new compounds may possess various biological activities, such as antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties, further promoting the development of medicine and related industries. Based on genomic analysis and antibacterial activity, the strain HD1123-B1T was indicated to be a promising candidate for biological pathogen control.

Streptomyces↗

PubMed2026

Climate and soil shape Daqu wheat quality and seed microbiome via rhizosphere taxa and microbial assembly.

The grain quality and seed microbiome of Daqu wheat are fundamental determinants of Daqu fermentation performance; however, the mechanisms by which cultivation environments influence these traits via rhizosphere microbial communities remain unclear. Bacterial and fungal communities across the bulk soil-rhizosphere-seed continuum of three wheat cultivars grown in four ecoregions were characterized using absolute quantitative amplicon sequencing. The rhizosphere microbiome was treated as a central intermediary, while the response variables were seed microbial diversity and grain-quality traits, including starch content, protein content, and grain hardness. Twelve physicochemical properties of soil and 11 climatic factors were integrated into a multidimensional association framework. Environmental conditions exerted stronger influences on both seed quality traits and microbial diversity than cultivar identity. Distinct regional signatures were also evident in rhizosphere microbiomes, with environmental gradients explaining community variation more effectively than geographic distance. Bacterial communities exhibited greater sensitivity to environmental fluctuations than fungi. Mantel analyses identified available nitrogen, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure as significant drivers of core rhizosphere taxa (P < 0.05). iCAMP revealed that stochastic processes predominantly governed rhizosphere bacterial assembly, whereas stochastic and deterministic mechanisms jointly shaped fungal assembly. Partial least squares path modeling further uncovered a rhizosphere-mediated environment-seed cascade, wherein sunlight intensity and duration, atmospheric pressure, and soil nitrogen directly or indirectly affected seed wet gluten content, grain hardness, and seed microbial diversity through their influences on rhizosphere microbiota. Rhizosphere bacterial diversity was negatively associated with seed bacterial diversity (path coefficient = -0.118, P < 0.05), indicating that rhizosphere communities may shape seed endophytic bacterial assemblages via environmental filtering and competitive interactions. Collectively, these findings elucidate how environments shape the quality and seed microbiomes of Daqu wheat, providing scientific guidance for optimal site selection and the standardized production of high-quality brewing wheat for industrial Baijiu.

Triticum↗

PubMed2026

Plant-derived and microbial biostimulants in sustainable agriculture: mechanisms, applications, and challenges.

Plant biostimulants have emerged as transformative and sustainable tools for improving crop productivity, resource-use efficiency, and resilience under rapidly intensifying environmental stresses. Unlike conventional agrochemicals, biostimulants function by activating physiological, biochemical, and molecular processes that optimize plant performance without directly supplying nutrients or exerting pesticidal effects. This review comprehensively examines the integrated roles of plant-derived and microbial biostimulants in sustainable agriculture, with particular emphasis on microbial-mediated mechanisms underlying plant stress adaptation and rhizosphere functioning. Plant-derived biostimulants, including seaweed extracts, humic substances, protein hydrolysates, amino acids, and chitosan, enhance nutrient acquisition, root architecture, hormonal regulation, and antioxidant defense systems. More importantly, microbial biostimulants, such as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), endophytic microorganisms, mycorrhizal fungi, actinomycetes, yeasts, and cyanobacteria, exert multifunctional effects through biological nitrogen fixation, mineral solubilization, phytohormone biosynthesis, volatile signaling, osmolyte accumulation, pathogen suppression, and modulation of stress-responsive genes. These beneficial microorganisms reshape rhizosphere microbial communities, improve nutrient cycling, and enhance plant tolerance to drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metal toxicity. Emerging evidence from genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and microbiome-based investigations has further revealed the molecular networks and signaling pathways governing biostimulant-induced resilience and plant-microbe interactions. Despite their substantial promise, inconsistent field performance, formulation instability, regulatory limitations, and inadequate mechanistic understanding continue to restrict their large-scale adoption. This review highlights recent advances in microbial and plant-derived biostimulants while identifying critical knowledge gaps and future opportunities for precision biostimulant engineering, microbiome manipulation, and climate-resilient crop management. The integration of next generation biostimulant technologies into sustainable agricultural systems may significantly reduce dependence on agrochemicals while improving crop productivity, environmental sustainability, and global food security.

Agriculture↗