Identification and antagonistic activity of endophytic bacterial strain Paenibacillus sp 5 L8 isolated from the seeds of maize (Zea mays L., Jingke 968)

Endophytes are related to the health and growth of plants. In this study, the endophytic bacterial strain Paenibacillus sp. 5 L8 was isolated from the seeds of maize (Zea mays L., Jingke 968). Strain 5 L8 was identified as Paenibacillus polymyxa by polyphasic taxonomy based on morphological and physiological methods, and 16S rRNA gene phylogenetic analysis. Via antagonistic testing against the common plant pathogens Fusarium graminearum, Bipolaris maydis, Bipolaris sorokiniana, Cochliobolus heterostrophus, Aspergillus aculeatus, Phomopsis chimonanthi and Verticillium dahliae, strain 5 L8 showed comprehensive and good antagonistic activity. The draft genome of Paenibacillus sp. 5 L8 was sequenced by Illumina HiSeq 2000, and three coding sequences (CDSs) for the glucanase gene were annotated and correlated to antagonistic activity. Using specific primers to amplify the biocontrol gene in the glucanase family, the beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase gene (gluB) was found. This study supplies a basis for further study of industrial research and application.