Bacillus velezensis BER1 enriched Flavobacterium daejeonense-like bacterium in the rhizosphere of tomato against bacterial wilt

Abstract Beneficial microorganisms can protect crop from phytopathogens, and modify rhizosphere microbiome. However, it is not well-understood whether or how do rhizosphere microorganisms which respond to bioagents contribute to disease suppression. Bacillus velezensis BER1 and tomato bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum were selected as models to disentangle the interactions and mechanisms in the rhizosphere. Bacillus velezensis BER1 greatly suppressed tomato bacterial wilt by over 49.0%, reduced R. solanacearum colonization in the rhizosphere by 36.3%, and significantly enriched two Flavobacterium ASVs (1357 and 2401). A novel colony loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay system was developed to screen out Flavobacterium from tomato rhizosphere bacterial isolates. In vitro tests revealed that cocultivating BER1 with Flavobacterium C45 increased biofilm formation by 18.6%. Climate chamber experiment further revealed that Flavobacterium C45 improved the control efficiency of BER1 on tomato bacterial wilt by 46.0%, decreased the colonization of R. solanacearum in the rhizosphere by 43.1% and elevated the transcription of plant defense gene PR1α in tomato by 45.4%. In summary, Flavobacterium C45 boosted the ability of B. velezensis BER1 to prevent bacterial wilt and the colonization of R. solanacearum, highlighting the importance of helper bacteria on elevating the efficiency of biological control.