The "pseudo-pathogenic" effect of plant growth-promoting Bacilli on starchy plant storage organs is due to their α-amylase activity which is stimulating endogenous opportunistic pathogens.

Abstract

Many representatives of the Bacillus subtilis species complex are known as plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and are widely used in agriculture as biofertilizers and biocontrol agents. Two bacterial strains, "Korea isolate" and ZL918, taxonomically classified as being Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, isolated from disease-damaged plant organs, were alleged to cause bacterial rot in starchy storage plant organs. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether these findings have consequences for the general use of beneficial Bacilli in agriculture. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the pathogenic ZL918 was a representative of Bacillus velezensis. B. velezensis FZB42 and other representatives of the B. subtilis species complex caused the same symptoms of bacterial rot only when injected inside of potato tubers and onion bulbs, but not when inoculated onto the surface of the storage organs. It seemed that the pathogenic effect was due to starch hydrolyzing activity that likely stimulates propagation of endophytic bacteria inside of starchy tissues. After removing the inherent microbiota via Co60 γ-ray irradiation, the storage organs inoculated by either FZB42 or purified α-amylase did not develop rot symptoms. Two opportunistic pathogens, Pantoea ananatis and Pantoea agglomerans, isolated from the rotted area, were shown to cause bacterial rot in x-ray treated potato tuber and onion starchy tissues when the proteobacteria were applied in high concentration. This suggests that opportunistic pathogenic bacteria residing inside of the starchy storage organ are the causal agents of bacterial soft rot disease in potato tubers and other starchy plant storage organs.