Detoxification of oxalic acid by pseudomonas fluorescens strain pfMDU2: implications for the biological control of rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Rhizoctonia solani isolates varying in their virulence were tested for their ability to produce oxalic acid (OA) in vitro. The results indicated that the virulent isolates produced more OA than the less virulent isolates. In order to isolate OA-detoxifying strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens, rhizosphere soil of rice was drenched with 100 mM OA and fluorescent pseudomonads were isolated from the OA-amended soil by using King's medium B. These isolates were tested for their antagonistic effect towards growth of R. solani in vitro. Among them P. fluorescens PfMDU2 was the most effective in inhibiting the mycelial growth of R. solani. P. fluorescens PfMDU2 was capable of detoxifying OA and several proteins were detected in the culture filtrate of PfMDU2 when it was grown in medium containing OA. To investigate whether the gene(s) involved in OA-detoxification resides on the plasmids in P. fluorescens PfMDU2, a plasmid-deficient strain of P. fluorescens was generated by plasmid curing. The plasmid-deficient strain (PfMDU2P-) failed to grow in medium containing OA and did not inhibit the growth of R. solani. Both PfMDU2 and PfMDU2P- were tested for their efficacy in controlling sheath blight of rice under greenhouse conditions. Seed treatment followed by soil application of rice with P. fluorescens strain, PfMDU2, reduced the severity of sheath blight by 75% compared with the control, whereas PfMDU2P- failed to control sheath blight disease.     

Enzyme Production by the Mycoparasite Verticillium biguttatum against Rhizoctonia solani

Verticillium biguttatum, a mycoparasite of the ubiquitous soil-borne plant pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, excreted chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase into liquid medium when grown on laminarin and chitin, respectively. Neither chitinase nor beta-1,3-glucanase was produced by the mycoparasite when grown on cell walls of two isolates of R. solani representing anastomosis groups (AG)-3 and AG-8. Extracellular protease was induced by growth on cell walls of the pathogen, whereas beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase were produced bound to the cell wall of V. biguttatum. This is the first report of chitinase, beta-1,3-glucanase and protease production by V. biguttatum. These enzymes may play a previously unforeseen role in dissolving and penetrating the cell walls of R. solani.     

Role of chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase activities produced by a fluorescent pseudomonad and in vitro inhibition of Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani

A study was conducted to investigate the possibility of involvement of chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase of an antagonistic fluorescent Pseudomonas in growth suppression of phytopathogenic fungi, Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani. Fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates GRC(3) and GRC(4) were screened for their antifungal potential against phytopathogenic fungi by using dual culture technique both on solid and liquid media. The percent inhibition was calculated. Various parameters were monitored for optimization of enzyme activities by fluorescent Pseudomonas GRC(3). The involvement of chitinases, beta-1,3-glucanases, and antifungal metabolites of nonenzymatic nature was correlated with the inhibition of P. capsici and R. solani. The results provide evidence for antibiosis as a mechanism for antagonism. The study also confirms that multiple mechanisms are involved in suppressing phytopathogens as evidenced by the involvement of chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase in inhibition of R. solani but not P. capsici by isolate GRC3.     

Production of Chitinases and beta-1,3-Glucanases by Stachybotrys elegans, a Mycoparasite of Rhizoctonia solani

The in vitro production of chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases by Stachybotrys elegans, a mycoparasite of Rhizoctonia solani, was examined under various culture conditions, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, and incubation period. Production of both enzymes was influenced by the carbon source incorporated into the medium and was stimulated by acidic pH and NaNO(3). The activity of both enzymes was very low in culture filtrates from cells grown on glucose and sucrose compared with that detected on chitin (for chitinases) and cell wall fragments (for beta-1,3-glucanases). Protein electrophoresis revealed that, depending on the carbon source used, different isoforms of chitinases and beta-1,3-glucanases were detected. S. elegans culture filtrates, possessing beta-1,3-glucanase and chitinase activities, were capable of degrading R. solani mycelium.     

Functional analysis of a beta-1,3-glucanase gene (Tag1) with anther-specific RNA and protein accumulation using antisense RNA inhibition

A critical stage in pollen development is the dissolution of tetrads into free microspores. Tetrads are surrounded by a wall composed primarily of beta-1,3-glucan. At the completion of meiosis, tetrads are released into the anther locule after hydrolysis of the callose by a beta-1,3-glucanase complex. The cDNA corresponding to a beta-1,3-glucanase cloned from tobacco (Tag 1) represents a gene that is highly similar to other beta-1,3-glucanases and is expressed exclusively in anthers from the tetrad to free microspore stage of pollen development. Tag 1 protein was overexpressed in E. coli, accumulating in insoluble inclusion bodies. Polyclonal antibodies against Tag 1 recombinant protein identify a single 33 kD protein accumulating only in anthers at tetrad and free microspore stages where beta-1,3-glucanase activity is present. Transgenic plants expressing Tag 1 antisense RNA were produced. Although Tag 1 RNA and protein levels were greatly reduced, tetrad dissolution and pollen development were normal. These data indicate that under the conditions these tobacco plants were grown, wild type levels of Tag 1 protein are not necessary for male fertility.     

Induced hydrolytic enzymes of ectomycorrhizal fungi against pathogen Rhizoctonia solani

Interactions between ectomycorrhizal fungi (Suillus laricinus, S. tomentosus, Amanita vaginata and Gomphidius viscidus) and the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani in co-culture were studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. S. laricinus, S. tomentosus and A. vaginata inhibited the growth of the pathogen. Moreover, A. vaginata exhibited coiling around and penetration of the hyphae into R. solani was observed in the interaction zone. Furthermore, the production of chitinases, beta-1,3-glucanases and beta-glucosidases by these ectomycorrhizal fungi on colloidal chitin or cell walls of R. solani was evaluated: chitinases were not induced by colloidal chitin but all three enzymes were induced by R. solani cell walls. No correlation between inhibition rate and production of lytic enzymes was found.     

Role of salicylic acid in systemic resistance induced by Pseudomonas fluorescens against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri in chickpea

Selected isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf1-94, Pf4-92, Pf12-94, Pf151-94 and Pf179-94) and chemical resistance inducers (salicylic acid, acetylsalicylic acid, DL-norvaline, indole-3-carbinol and lichenan) were examined for growth promotion and induced systemic resistance against Fusarium wilt of chickpea. A marked increase in shoot and root length was observed in P. fluorescens treated plants. The isolates of P. fluorescens systemically induced resistance against Fusarium wilt of chickpea caused by Fusarium. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri (FocRs1), and significantly (P = 0.05) reduced the wilt disease by 26-50% as compared to control. Varied degree of protection against Fusarium wilt was recorded with chemical inducers. The reduction in disease was more pronounced when chemical inducers were applied with P. fluorescens. Among chemical inducers, SA showed the highest protection of chickpea seedlings against wilting. Fifty two- to 64% reduction of wilting was observed in soil treated with isolate Pf4-92 along with chemical inducers. A significant (P = 0.05; r = -0.946) negative correlation was observed in concentration of salicylic acid and mycelial growth of FocRs1 and at a concentration of 2000 microg ml(-1) mycelial growth was completely arrested. Exogenously supplied SA also stimulated systemic resistance against wilt and reduced the disease severity by 23% and 43% in the plants treated with 40 and 80 microg ml(-1) of SA through root application. All the isolates of P. fluorescens produced SA in synthetic medium and in root tissues. HPLC analysis indicated that Pf4-92 produced comparatively more SA than the other isolates. 1700 to 2000 nanog SA g(-1) fresh root was detected from the application site of root after one day of bacterization whereas, the amount of SA at distant site ranged between 400-500 nanog. After three days of bacterization the SA level decreased and was found more or less equal at both the detection sites.     

Purification and characterization of an exo-beta-1,3-glucanase produced by Trichoderma asperellum

Trichoderma asperellum produces at least two extracellular beta-1,3-glucanases upon induction with cell walls from Rhizoctonia solani. A beta-1,3-glucanase was purified by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. A typical procedure provided 35.7-fold purification with 9.5% yield. The molecular mass of the purified exo-beta-1,3-glucanases was 83.1 kDa as estimated using a 12% (w/v) SDS-electrophoresis slab gel. The enzyme was only active toward glucans containing beta-1,3-linkages and hydrolyzed laminarin in an exo-like fashion to form glucose. The K(m) and V(max) values for exo-beta-1,3-glucanase, using laminarin as substrate, were 0.087 mg ml(-1) and 0.246 U min(-1), respectively. The pH optimum for the enzyme was pH 5.1 and maximum activity was obtained at 55 degrees C. Hg(2+) strongly inhibited the purified enzyme.     

Biocontrol potential and polyphasic characterization of novel native <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma</Emphasis> strains against <Emphasis Type="Italic">Macrophomina phaseolina</Emphasis> isolated from sorghum and common bean

Native strains of Trichoderma isolated from sorghum and common bean crop soils were investigated to assess their biocontrol potential over the phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina, isolated from diseased plants. The Trichoderma strains were characterized with a polyphasic approach, which combined the analysis of their morphological characteristics, enzymatic activity, macro- and microculture test results, rDNA restriction patterns (AFLP), ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequences, and protein profiles. The integration of these data sets can be used to select new isolates as biological control agents against native fungal phytopathogens. In general, we observed a positive correlation between the secretion of beta-1,3-glucanase and N-acetylhexosaminidase, and the biocontrol capacities of all the Trichoderma isolates. Strains with the best hyperparasitic behavior against M. phaseolina isolated from diseased bean and sorghum were Trichoderma sp. (TCBG-2) and Trichoderma koningiopsis (TCBG-8), respectively.     

Characterization of Mycolytic Enzymes of Bacillus Strains and Their Bio-Protection Role Against Rhizoctonia solani in Tomato

Four antagonists bacteria namely, Bacillus megaterium MB3, B. subtilis MB14, B. subtilis MB99 and B. amyloliquefaciens MB101 were able to produce chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase and protease in different range with the presence of Rhizoctonia solani cell wall as a carbon source. Amplification of chitinase (chiA) gene of 270 bp and β-1, 3-glucanase gene of 415 bp was given supportive evidence at molecular level of antibiosis. After in vitro screening, all antagonists were tested against R. solani under greenhouse conditions. Root treatment of Bacillus strains showed superior defense during pathogen suppression in terms of chitinase, glucanase, peroxidase, poly phenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity and total phenolic content in leaves of tomato. All these enzymes accumulated high in tomato leaves as compared to roots. Pathogenesis-related proteins and defense-related enzymes accumulation was directly correlated with plant protection and greenhouse results indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens MB101- and B. subtilis MB14-treated plants offered 69.76 and 61.51 % disease reductions, respectively, over the infected control. These results established that these organisms have the potential to act as biocontrol agents. This study could be highlighted a mutual importance of liquid formulation of antagonistic Bacillus spp. against root associated sclerotia former pathogen R. solani.     

Hydrogen cyanide synthesis and antifungal activity of the biocontrol strain Pseudomonas fluorescens In5 from Greenland is highly dependent on growth medium

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a secondary metabolite produced by many antagonistic Pseudomonas species. In the present study, the gene cluster encoding HCN synthesis in a newly isolated Pseudomonas fluorescens strain, In5, from South Greenland was investigated. Sequence analysis showed that the Greenlandic hcn gene cluster comprises a novel hcn cluster. Transposon mutagenesis of strain In5 resulted in mutants In5-2E1 and In5-1H7 with no production of HCN, and mutant In5-6B9 with reduced HCN synthesis. In mutant In5-2E1, the transposon was inserted into the hcnC gene; in mutant In5-1H7, the Tn5 insertion was found in a region upstream of a putative malate:quinone oxidoreductase gene (mqo); and in mutant In5-6B9, the transposon disrupted a probable enoyl-CoA hydratase/isomerase gene. In vitro inhibition experiments with In5 (wild type) and In5-2E1 (mutant) showed that in nitrogen-rich Luria-Bertani medium, strain In5 but not the hcn mutant In5-2E1 produced HCN and inhibited the growth of hyphae of Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium aphanidermatum . In contrast, when cultivating the strains in the carbohydrate-rich potato dextrose medium, neither of the strains produced any HCN, and thus, they were unable to inhibit hyphal growth of fungi. These experiments strongly indicate that the synthesis of HCN is highly dependent on the growth medium used.     

The study of mycolytic properties of aerobic spore-forming bacteria producing extracellular chitinases

The mycolytic activity of 27 strains of antagonistic bacilli belonging to two taxonomic groups (18 strains of Bacillus subtilis and 9 strains of Paenibacillus ehimensis) capable of induced synthesis of chitinolytic enzymes was studied. Most of the B. subtilis strains neither displayed visible mycolytic effects on the phytopathogenic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana in vitro, nor produced chitinases in the presence of an autoclaved mycelium. On the contrary, P. ehimensis strains grown under conditions favorable for induction of chitinases and other hydrolases exhibited a pronounced lytic effect on B. sorokiniana and actively grew by utilizing mycelium as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen. Comparison of the mycolytic activities of extracellular hydrolases in the studied strains demonstrated low correlation between chitinase production and the ability of the strains to degrade the cell walls of B. sorokiniana. Characterization of enzyme profiles in the studied strains revealed that β-1,3-glucanase was a more significant factor than chitinase for determining the mycolytic potential of bacteria and their ability to utilize the mycelium of phytopathogenic fungi as a growth substrate.     

水稻种子内生泛菌(Pantoea spp.)系统发育多样性及其促生功能

【目的】Pantoea菌株是广泛分布在自然界中的一类功能多样的细菌。本研究对分离自水稻种子内生的Pantoea菌株进行系统发育分析及功能评价,从而确定分类地位、种类多样性、分布特征及功能特性。【方法】采用乙醇-次氯酸钠联合灭菌方法进行水稻种子的表面灭菌,进行内生细菌的分离与纯化;其次将纯化后的菌株进行16Sr RNA基因PCR扩增及序列分析,通过MEGA7软件构建系统发育树;将分离得到的菌株进行功能实验检测,如溶磷、产IAA、产铁载体、拮抗病原真菌等特性,最后检测菌株的溶血性;水稻分型采用SSR方法,并对水稻农学性状如分蘖数、株高、植株重及产量进行调查。【结果】本研究对分离自8个不同基因型水稻种子中的146株内生Pantoea菌株进行系统发育分析及功能评价,结果发现所分离到的泛菌菌株主要属于Pantoea dispersa、Pantoea agglomerans、Pantoea cypripedii以及Pantoea brenneri四个种,其中P. dispersa的菌株数量最多,分布最广,并且存在于所有的8个水稻种子样品中。对其中66株菌进行功能检测,发现86.3%和69.7%的菌株具有溶磷和产IAA能力,有7株菌具有产铁载体能力,未发现对真菌病害Fusarium moniliforme有拮抗作用的菌株,并发现3株菌具有溶血性;本实验未发现泛菌组成与水稻系统发育及农学性状存在明显的相关性。【结论】本研究首次对水稻种子中泛菌的多样性及其功能进行报道,发现不同基因型的水稻种子所含Pantoea种类及组成存在差异,种子选择性地积累了Pantoea类群,大部分菌株具有一定的促生特性。该研究结果有助于进一步探究微生物与植物的共进化、种子微生物的传播途径及作用方式。     

Horizontal and vertical movement of Pseudomonas fluorescens toward exudate of Macrophomina phaseolina in soil: influence of motility and soil properties

The role of motility and cell surface hydrophobicity in transport and dispersal of Pseudomonas fluorescens strains LAM1-hydrophilic, LAM2-hydrophobic and LAM(NM) (non-motile mutant of LAM2) under different soil conditions was studied. Maximum adhesion was recorded for LAM2 in clay loam (70%), followed by sandy loam (68%) and sandy soil (40%). Vertical migration of P fluorescens isolates in soils was recorded at 5 and 25 cm flow of wafer or M. phaseolina exudate. In all the treatments, LAM1 exhibited maximum migration followed, by LAM2 and LAM(NM). The rate of migration of such isolates was lowered in water irrigated soils compared to those irrigated with M. phaseolina exudate. In sandy soil, cells of LAM1 migrated up to 13 cm in comparison to LAM2 (11 cm) and LAN(NM) (9 cm) at 5 cm flow of fungal exudate. Population of LAM1, LAM2 and LAM(NM) was 5.7, 5.68 and 5.61 log cfu g(-1) soil at 1 cm depth, but it decreased to 2.56, 2.21 and 1.99 log cfu during migration up to 11 cm in sandy soil at 5 cm flow of fungal exudate. Greater motility was observed in sandy soil irrigated with water or fungal exudate, followed by sandy loam and clay loam. In general, filtration coefficient (lambda) of P. fluorescens was higher in soils irrigated with 5 cm of water or exudate than with 25 cm of irrigation. The horizontal movement of P. fluorescens strains in sandy soil adjusted at different psi m showed marked reduction with decrease in psi m. The non-motile LAN(NM) did not show chemotactic response and migrated up to a maximum of 3 mm in saturated soils (0 kPa). After 96 h, LAM1 and LAM2 migrated upto 35 and 29 mm respectively in sandy soil. Motile isolates had significantly greater colonization of M. phaseolina sclerotia over the non-motile mutant.     

Non-pathogenic Fusarium solani represses the biosynthesis of nematicidal compounds in vitro and reduces the biocontrol of Meloidogyne javanica by Pseudomonas fluorescens in tomato

AIMS: The aim of the present investigation was to determine the influence of various Fusarium solani strains on the production of nematicidal agent(s) in vitro and biocontrol of Meloidogyne javanica in tomato by Pseudomonas fluorescens strains CHA0 and CHA0/pME3424. METHODS AND RESULTS: Culture filtrates (CF) of P. fluorescens strain CHA0 and its diacetylphloroglucinol-overproducing derivative CHA0/pME3424 caused substantial mortality of M. javanica juveniles in vitro. Bacterial growth medium amended with the growth medium of F. solani repressed the nematicidal activity of the bacteria. Methanol extract of F. solani CF resulting from Czapek's Dox liquid (CDL) medium without zinc amendment repressed the nematicidal activity of the bacteria while the CF obtained from CDL medium amended with zinc did not. Conidial suspension of F. solani strain Fs5 (repressor strain for the biosynthesis of nematicidal compounds in P. fluorescens) reduced biocontrol potential of the bacterial inoculants against M. javanica in tomato while strain Fs3 (non-repressor) did not. CONCLUSIONS: Fusarium solani strains with increased nematicidal activity repress the biosynthesis of nematicidal compounds by P. fluorescens strains in vitro and greatly alter its biocontrol efficacy against root-knot nematode under natural conditions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Fusarium solani strains are distributed worldwide and found in almost all the agricultural fields which suggest that some mycotoxin-producing strains will also be found in almost any soil sample taken. Besides the suppressive effect of these metabolite-producing strains on the production of nematicidal compound(s) critical in biocontrol, F. solani strains may also affect the performance of mycotoxin-sensitive biocontrol bacteria effective against plant-parasitic nematodes.     

Control of blast and sheath blight diseases of rice using antifungal metabolites produced by Streptomyces sp. PM5

Two antifungal aliphatic compounds, SPM5C-1 and SPM5C-2 with a lactone and ketone carbonyl unit, respectively obtained from Streptomyces sp. PM5 were evaluated under in vitro and in vivo conditions against major rice pathogens, Pyricularia oryzae and Rhizoctonia solani. These compounds were dissolved in distilled water/medium to get the required concentrations. The well diffusion bioassay indicated that the of SPM5C-1 remarkably inhibited the mycelial growth of P. oryzae and R. solani in comparison to SPM5C-2. Though SPM5C-2 showed low antifungal activity against P. oryzae, it was not active against R. solani. Further, SPM5C-1 completely inhibited the growth of P. oryzae and R. solani at concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 μg/ml. Greenhouse experiments revealed that spraying of SPM5C-1 at 500 μg/ml on rice significantly decreased blast and sheath blight development by 76.1% and 82.3%, respectively, as compared to the control with a corresponding increase in rice grain yield.     

Isolation and overexpression of a gene encoding an extracellular beta-(1,3-1,4)-glucanase from Streptococcus bovis JB1.

Streptococcus bovis JB1 was found to produce a 25-kDa extracellular enzyme active against beta-(1,3-1,4)-glucans. A gene was isolated encoding a specific beta-(1,3-1,4)-glucanase that corresponds to this size and belongs to glycoside hydrolase family 16. A 4- to 10-fold increase in supernatant beta-glucanase activity was obtained when the cloned beta-glucanase gene was reintroduced into S. bovis JB1 by use of constructs based on the plasmid vector pTRW10 or pIL253. The beta-(1,3-1,4)-glucanase gene was also expressed upon introduction of the pTRW10 construct pTRWL1R into Lactococcus lactis IL2661 and Enterococcus faecalis JH2-SS, although extracellular activity was 8- to 50-fold lower than that in S. bovis JB1. The beta-(1,3-1,4)-glucanase purified from the culture supernatant of S. bovis JB1 carrying pTRWL1R showed a K(m) of 2.8 mg per ml and a Vmax of 338 mumol of glucose equivalents per min per mg of protein with barley beta-glucan as the substrate. The S. bovis beta-(1,3-1,4)-glucanase may contribute to the ability of this bacterium to utilize starch by degrading structural polysaccharides present in endosperm cell walls.     

Simultaneous expression of an arylacetonitrilase from Pseudomonas fluorescens and a (S)-oxynitrilase from Manihot esculenta in Pichia pastoris for the synthesis of (S)-mandelic acid

The arylacetonitrilase of Pseudomonas fluorescens EBC191 catalyzes the conversion of (S)-mandelonitrile to (S)-mandelic acid and (S)-mandeloamide. This biotransformation is optimally performed under acidic pH values because (S)-mandelonitrile rapidly decomposes under neutral conditions. Therefore, the gene encoding the arylacetonitrilase of P. fluorescens EBC191 was integrated and expressed under the control of the AOX1 promoter in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris which was supposed to act as an acidotolerant expression system. These recombinant strains hydrolyzed (R,S)-mandelonitrile at pH values >or=3 to mandelic acid and mandeloamide and were more acidotolerant than previously constructed Escherichia coli whole cell catalysts synthesizing the same nitrilase activity. Subsequently, recombinant P. pastoris strains were constructed which simultaneously expressed the (S)-oxynitrilase of Manihot esculenta and the arylacetonitrilase of P. fluorescens EBC191 each under the control of individual AOX1 promoters in order to obtain a whole cell catalyst for the synthesis of (S)-mandelic acid from benzaldehyde and cyanide. Resting cells of the recombinant strains converted under acidic conditions benzaldehyde and cyanide initially to mandelonitrile which was immediately converted to mandelic acid and mandeloamide. The chiral analysis of the products formed revealed a high enantiomeric excess for the (S)-enantiomers.