Multiple effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens volatile compounds: plant growth promotion and growth inhibition of phytopathogens

Biotic interactions through volatile organic compounds (VOC) are frequent in nature. This investigation aimed to study the role of Bacillus VOC for the beneficial effects on plants observed as improved growth and pathogen control. Four Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum strains were screened for VOC effects on Arabidopsis thaliana Col-0 seedlings and Brassica fungal phytopathogens. VOC from all four Bacillus strains could promote growth of Arabidopsis plants resulting in increased shoot biomass but the effects were dependent on the growth medium. Dose response studies with UCMB5113 on MS agar with or without root exudates showed significant plant growth promotion even at low levels of bacteria. Bacillus VOC antagonized growth of several fungal pathogens in vitro. However, the plant growth promotion efficacy and fungal inhibition potency varied among the Bacillus strains. VOC inhibition of several phytopathogens indicated efficient microbial antagonism supporting high rhizosphere competence of the Bacillus strains. GC-MS analysis identified several VOC structures where the profiles differed depending on the growth medium. The ability of Bacillus strains to produce both volatile and soluble compounds for plant growth promotion and disease biocontrol provides examples of rhizosphere microbes as an important ecosystem service with high potential to support sustainable crop production.