Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils

The climate-driven acceleration of forest disease outbreaks has intensified the demand for sustainable biocontrol strategies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the endophytic bacterium <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> csuftcsp75 on soil properties, microbial communities, and fu...

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Main Authors: Quan Yang, Shimeng Tan, Anqi Niu, Junang Liu, Guoying Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1454
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author Quan Yang
Shimeng Tan
Anqi Niu
Junang Liu
Guoying Zhou
author_facet Quan Yang
Shimeng Tan
Anqi Niu
Junang Liu
Guoying Zhou
author_sort Quan Yang
collection DOAJ
description The climate-driven acceleration of forest disease outbreaks has intensified the demand for sustainable biocontrol strategies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the endophytic bacterium <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> csuftcsp75 on soil properties, microbial communities, and functional metabolism in soils affected by <i>Pinus massoniana</i> shoot blight. Soil physicochemical analysis, carbon substrate utilization profiling (AWCD), and diversity indices (the Shannon, Simpson, and McIntosh indices) were integrated to assess the microbial responses under different inoculation treatments. The csuftcsp75 treatment significantly improved soil nutrient availability—especially available phosphorus and potassium—and was associated with enhanced microbial metabolic activity and sustained functional diversity. Principal component analysis and correlation mapping revealed strong associations between labile nutrients and microbial responses. Comparative analysis showed that csuftcsp75 promoted a balanced and metabolically rich microbial community, while less compatible strains exhibited transient or unstable effects. These findings support a dual-pathway model wherein nutrient-driven metabolic activation and ecological integration jointly determine biocontrol efficacy. This study highlights the importance of matching microbial inoculants with local soil environments to optimize functional outcomes. This work provides a theoretical basis for applying endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in forest disease management and contributes to the development of ecologically coherent biocontrol strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-90d181ec4aee4b0998c21bd82344b63d2025-08-20T02:47:14ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-06-01137145410.3390/microorganisms13071454Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest SoilsQuan Yang0Shimeng Tan1Anqi Niu2Junang Liu3Guoying Zhou4Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Control of Artificial Forest Diseases and Pests in South China, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaKey Laboratory of Plant Disease and Pest Control of Hainan Province, Institute of Plant Protection (Research Center of Quality Safety and Standards for Agricultural Products of Hainan Academy of Agricultural Sciences), Haikou 571100, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Control of Artificial Forest Diseases and Pests in South China, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Control of Artificial Forest Diseases and Pests in South China, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaKey Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Control of Artificial Forest Diseases and Pests in South China, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, ChinaThe climate-driven acceleration of forest disease outbreaks has intensified the demand for sustainable biocontrol strategies. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the endophytic bacterium <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> csuftcsp75 on soil properties, microbial communities, and functional metabolism in soils affected by <i>Pinus massoniana</i> shoot blight. Soil physicochemical analysis, carbon substrate utilization profiling (AWCD), and diversity indices (the Shannon, Simpson, and McIntosh indices) were integrated to assess the microbial responses under different inoculation treatments. The csuftcsp75 treatment significantly improved soil nutrient availability—especially available phosphorus and potassium—and was associated with enhanced microbial metabolic activity and sustained functional diversity. Principal component analysis and correlation mapping revealed strong associations between labile nutrients and microbial responses. Comparative analysis showed that csuftcsp75 promoted a balanced and metabolically rich microbial community, while less compatible strains exhibited transient or unstable effects. These findings support a dual-pathway model wherein nutrient-driven metabolic activation and ecological integration jointly determine biocontrol efficacy. This study highlights the importance of matching microbial inoculants with local soil environments to optimize functional outcomes. This work provides a theoretical basis for applying endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in forest disease management and contributes to the development of ecologically coherent biocontrol strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1454endophytic <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i><i>Pinus massoniana</i> shoot blightmicrobial functional diversitybiological controlforest soil health
spellingShingle Quan Yang
Shimeng Tan
Anqi Niu
Junang Liu
Guoying Zhou
Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils
Microorganisms
endophytic <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i>
<i>Pinus massoniana</i> shoot blight
microbial functional diversity
biological control
forest soil health
title Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils
title_full Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils
title_fullStr Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils
title_full_unstemmed Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils
title_short Nutrient-Driven Metabolic Activation and Microbial Restructuring Induced by Endophytic <i>Bacillus</i> in Blight-Affected Forest Soils
title_sort nutrient driven metabolic activation and microbial restructuring induced by endophytic i bacillus i in blight affected forest soils
topic endophytic <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i>
<i>Pinus massoniana</i> shoot blight
microbial functional diversity
biological control
forest soil health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1454
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