Identification and genomic analyses of a novel endophytic actinobacterium Streptomyces endophytica sp. nov. with potential for biocontrol of yam anthracnose

Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of the devastating diseases of yams (Dioscorea sp.) worldwide. In this study, we aimed to isolate endophytic actinobacteria from yam plants and to evaluate their potential for the control of yam anthracnose based on bioassays and genomic analyses. A total of 116 endophytic actinomycete strains were isolated from the surface-sterilized yam tissues from a yam orchard in Hainan Province, China. In total, 23 isolates showed antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides. An endophytic actinomycete, designated HNM0140(T), which exhibited strong antifungal activities, multiple biocontrol, and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits was subsequently selected to colonize in the tissue-cultured seedlings of yam and was tested for its in vivo biocontrol potential on yam anthracnose. The results showed that treatment with strain HNM0140(T) markedly reduced the severity and incidence of yam anthracnose under greenhouse conditions. Morphological and chemotaxonomic analyses showed that strain HNM0140(T) was assigned to the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HNM0140(T) formed a separate cluster together with Streptomyces lydicus ATCC 25470(T) (99.45%), Streptomyces chattanoogensis NRRL ISP-5002(T) (99.45%), and Streptomyces kronopolitis NEAU-ML8(T) (98.97%). The phylogenomic tree also showed that strain HNM0140(T) stably clustered with Streptomyces lydicus ATCC 25470(T). The ANI and dDDH between strain HNM0140(T) and its closest related-type species were well below the recommended thresholds for species demarcation. Hence, based on the phylogenetic, genomic, and phenotypic analyses, strain HNM0140(T) should represent a new streptomycete species named Streptomyces endophytica sp. nov. Genomic analysis revealed that strain HNM0140(T) harbored 18 putative BGCs for secondary metabolites, some PGP-related genes, and several genes coding for antifungal enzymes. The presented results indicated that strain HNM0140(T) was a promising biocontrol agent for yam anthracnose.

Automated summary

In this study, endophytic actinobacteria were isolated from yam plants and evaluated for their potential in controlling yam anthracnose. One strain, HNM0140(T), showed strong antifungal activity and plant growth-promoting traits. Under greenhouse conditions, treatment with HNM0140(T) significantly reduced the severity and incidence of yam anthracnose. Phylogenetic and genomic analyses revealed that HNM0140(T) belonged to the genus Streptomyces and represented a new species named Streptomyces endophytica sp. nov. Genomic analysis also indicated the presence of potential secondary metabolites and genes related to plant growth promotion and antifungal activity. Overall, HNM0140(T) showed promising biocontrol potential for yam anthracnose.