Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>

<i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> (<i>Bt</i>) is widely recognized as the most important microbial pesticide controlling various insect pests and diseases due to its insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) and antimicrobial metabolites. The current study investigates the biocontrol...

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Main Authors: Zhao Liang, Qurban Ali, Huijun Wu, Qin Gu, Xin Liu, Houjun Sun, Xuewen Gao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/519
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author Zhao Liang
Qurban Ali
Huijun Wu
Qin Gu
Xin Liu
Houjun Sun
Xuewen Gao
author_facet Zhao Liang
Qurban Ali
Huijun Wu
Qin Gu
Xin Liu
Houjun Sun
Xuewen Gao
author_sort Zhao Liang
collection DOAJ
description <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> (<i>Bt</i>) is widely recognized as the most important microbial pesticide controlling various insect pests and diseases due to its insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) and antimicrobial metabolites. The current study investigates the biocontrol potential of <i>B. thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 against the fungal pathogen <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and the insect pest <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> through multiple mechanisms. Phenotypic experiments revealed that GBAC46 effectively inhibited <i>F. verticillioides</i> growth by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and showed enhanced larvicidal activity against second instar <i>S. frugiperda</i> larvae. Pot experiments showed that feeding by <i>S. frugiperda</i> enhanced <i>F. verticillioides</i> infection in maize. The <i>Bt</i> strain GBAC46 effectively controlled both pests and diseases in greenhouse maize seedlings. Applying the <i>Bt</i> strain GBAC46 reduced feeding damage from <i>S. frugiperda</i>, decreased leaf yellowing and wilting caused by <i>F. verticillioides</i>, and improved growth indicators such as plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight. RT-qPCR results revealed that the <i>Bt</i> strain GBAC46 induced key defense genes in maize involved in activating salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene pathways. The overall study demonstrated and confirmed the GBAC46 strain as a promising microbial agent for disease and pest management.
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spelling doaj-art-ca32b87299234c8299a93fc75336d2c22025-08-20T02:24:42ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-04-0115451910.3390/biom15040519Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>Zhao Liang0Qurban Ali1Huijun Wu2Qin Gu3Xin Liu4Houjun Sun5Xuewen Gao6The Sanya Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya 572024, ChinaDepartment of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesThe Sanya Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya 572024, ChinaThe Sanya Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya 572024, ChinaInstitute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, ChinaKey Laboratory of Biology and Genetic Improvement of Sweet Potato, Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Jiangsu Xuhuai Area, Ministry of Agriculture, Xuzhou 221131, ChinaThe Sanya Institute, Nanjing Agricultural University, Sanya 572024, China<i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> (<i>Bt</i>) is widely recognized as the most important microbial pesticide controlling various insect pests and diseases due to its insecticidal crystal proteins (ICPs) and antimicrobial metabolites. The current study investigates the biocontrol potential of <i>B. thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 against the fungal pathogen <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and the insect pest <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i> through multiple mechanisms. Phenotypic experiments revealed that GBAC46 effectively inhibited <i>F. verticillioides</i> growth by inducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and showed enhanced larvicidal activity against second instar <i>S. frugiperda</i> larvae. Pot experiments showed that feeding by <i>S. frugiperda</i> enhanced <i>F. verticillioides</i> infection in maize. The <i>Bt</i> strain GBAC46 effectively controlled both pests and diseases in greenhouse maize seedlings. Applying the <i>Bt</i> strain GBAC46 reduced feeding damage from <i>S. frugiperda</i>, decreased leaf yellowing and wilting caused by <i>F. verticillioides</i>, and improved growth indicators such as plant height, fresh weight, and dry weight. RT-qPCR results revealed that the <i>Bt</i> strain GBAC46 induced key defense genes in maize involved in activating salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene pathways. The overall study demonstrated and confirmed the GBAC46 strain as a promising microbial agent for disease and pest management.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/519<i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i><i>Fusarium verticillioides</i><i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>interaction relationshipbiological control
spellingShingle Zhao Liang
Qurban Ali
Huijun Wu
Qin Gu
Xin Liu
Houjun Sun
Xuewen Gao
Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
Biomolecules
<i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>
<i>Fusarium verticillioides</i>
<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
interaction relationship
biological control
title Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
title_full Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
title_fullStr Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
title_full_unstemmed Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
title_short Biocontrol Mechanism of <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> GBAC46 Against Diseases and Pests Caused by <i>Fusarium verticillioides</i> and <i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
title_sort biocontrol mechanism of i bacillus thuringiensis i gbac46 against diseases and pests caused by i fusarium verticillioides i and i spodoptera frugiperda i
topic <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>
<i>Fusarium verticillioides</i>
<i>Spodoptera frugiperda</i>
interaction relationship
biological control
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/4/519
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