Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards

Beneficial bacteria are recognised for their antimicrobial compounds, making them valuable for disease control in agriculture. <i>Bacillus</i> species stand out for their stability, versatility, and selectivity as biocontrol agents. This study aimed to identify potential antagonists with...

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Main Authors: Hiba Yahyaoui, Nadia El Allaoui, Amine Batbat, Aziz Aziz, Faical Aoujil, Majida Hafidi, Khaoula Habbadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:International Journal of Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/1/27
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author Hiba Yahyaoui
Nadia El Allaoui
Amine Batbat
Aziz Aziz
Faical Aoujil
Majida Hafidi
Khaoula Habbadi
author_facet Hiba Yahyaoui
Nadia El Allaoui
Amine Batbat
Aziz Aziz
Faical Aoujil
Majida Hafidi
Khaoula Habbadi
author_sort Hiba Yahyaoui
collection DOAJ
description Beneficial bacteria are recognised for their antimicrobial compounds, making them valuable for disease control in agriculture. <i>Bacillus</i> species stand out for their stability, versatility, and selectivity as biocontrol agents. This study aimed to identify potential antagonists within the rhizosphere microorganisms by isolating bacterial strains from grapevine roots and rhizosphere soil in Moroccan vineyards. The antimicrobial activities of these isolates against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, the causative agent of grapevine crown gall, were evaluated in vitro using a disc diffusion assay, followed by in planta assessments under preventive and simulated inoculation conditions. Screening led to the isolation of 123 strains, with six showing strong antagonistic properties, achieving inhibition percentages up to 39.6%. 16S rRNA sequencing led to identifying five <i>Bacillus</i> species: <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i>, <i>B. velezensis</i>, <i>B. halotolerans</i>, <i>B. subtilis</i>, and <i>B. anthracis</i>. These strains were further characterised by their biochemical traits and plant growth-promoting abilities. Compatibility assays identified optimal combinations for microbial consortia, demonstrating pathogen inhibition up to 37.4%. <i>In planta</i> bioassays confirmed the effectiveness of the isolates and consortia, reducing tumour size. These findings highlight the potential of these <i>Bacillus</i> strains as biocontrol agents and underscore the value of microbial consortia as a sustainable approach to managing grapevine crown gall.
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spelling doaj-art-3cf89e124e444735afc13a67c9ec83ae2025-08-20T03:43:22ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Plant Biology2037-01642025-02-011612710.3390/ijpb16010027Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan VineyardsHiba Yahyaoui0Nadia El Allaoui1Amine Batbat2Aziz Aziz3Faical Aoujil4Majida Hafidi5Khaoula Habbadi6Plant Protection Research Unit, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Renter of Agronomic Research of Meknes INRA, CRRA, Meknes 50000, MoroccoPlant Protection Research Unit, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Renter of Agronomic Research of Meknes INRA, CRRA, Meknes 50000, MoroccoLaboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, Fez 2202, MoroccoNational Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), Resistance Induction and Bioprotection of Plants (RIBP), University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, USC 1488, 51100 Reims, FrancePlant Protection Research Unit, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Renter of Agronomic Research of Meknes INRA, CRRA, Meknes 50000, MoroccoLaboratory of Biotechnology and Bio-Resources Valorisation, Faculty of Sciences, University Moulay Ismail, Meknes 50000, MoroccoPlant Protection Research Unit, National Institute of Agronomic Research, Regional Renter of Agronomic Research of Meknes INRA, CRRA, Meknes 50000, MoroccoBeneficial bacteria are recognised for their antimicrobial compounds, making them valuable for disease control in agriculture. <i>Bacillus</i> species stand out for their stability, versatility, and selectivity as biocontrol agents. This study aimed to identify potential antagonists within the rhizosphere microorganisms by isolating bacterial strains from grapevine roots and rhizosphere soil in Moroccan vineyards. The antimicrobial activities of these isolates against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, the causative agent of grapevine crown gall, were evaluated in vitro using a disc diffusion assay, followed by in planta assessments under preventive and simulated inoculation conditions. Screening led to the isolation of 123 strains, with six showing strong antagonistic properties, achieving inhibition percentages up to 39.6%. 16S rRNA sequencing led to identifying five <i>Bacillus</i> species: <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i>, <i>B. velezensis</i>, <i>B. halotolerans</i>, <i>B. subtilis</i>, and <i>B. anthracis</i>. These strains were further characterised by their biochemical traits and plant growth-promoting abilities. Compatibility assays identified optimal combinations for microbial consortia, demonstrating pathogen inhibition up to 37.4%. <i>In planta</i> bioassays confirmed the effectiveness of the isolates and consortia, reducing tumour size. These findings highlight the potential of these <i>Bacillus</i> strains as biocontrol agents and underscore the value of microbial consortia as a sustainable approach to managing grapevine crown gall.https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/1/27grapevine<i>Vitis vinifera</i><i>Bacillus</i> spp.biological controlcrown gall<i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>
spellingShingle Hiba Yahyaoui
Nadia El Allaoui
Amine Batbat
Aziz Aziz
Faical Aoujil
Majida Hafidi
Khaoula Habbadi
Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards
International Journal of Plant Biology
grapevine
<i>Vitis vinifera</i>
<i>Bacillus</i> spp.
biological control
crown gall
<i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>
title Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards
title_full Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards
title_fullStr Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards
title_full_unstemmed Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards
title_short Biocontrol Potential of <i>Bacillus</i> Strains from Grapevine Rhizosphere Against <i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>, Causal Agent of Crown Gall Disease in Moroccan Vineyards
title_sort biocontrol potential of i bacillus i strains from grapevine rhizosphere against i allorhizobium vitis i causal agent of crown gall disease in moroccan vineyards
topic grapevine
<i>Vitis vinifera</i>
<i>Bacillus</i> spp.
biological control
crown gall
<i>Allorhizobium vitis</i>
url https://www.mdpi.com/2037-0164/16/1/27
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