Evaluation of biocontrol potential of Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain CTA8689 against common bean root rot

The purpose of this research was to explore the control of common bean root rot disease caused by Fusarium solani by the bacterial strain CTA8689 under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. The strain CTA8689 was isolated from common bean root and identified as Achromobacter xylosoxidans using 16S rDNA sequence, morphological and physiological characteristics. The strain CTA8689 suppressed the mycelial growth of F. solani in dual-culture (58.67%) and culture filtrates (41.87%) methods. The volatile compounds (VOCs) produced by CTA8689 inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination of F. solani by 42.26% and 59.12%, respectively. Also, this strain produced biofilm, lytic enzymes such as chitinase, protease and pectinase, siderophore, IAA and gibberellin, and it was able to phosphate solubilization. Furthermore, the disease severity of common bean root rot was reduced using soil and seed treatment by 83.89% and 87.60%, respectively, 60 days after inoculation. Additionally, the strain improved the plant growth parameters in common bean under greenhouse conditions. The VOCs produced by the strain CTA8689 were analyzed by Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Out of 23 identified VOCs, 1,3-Dimethylbenzene (21.613%), Benzene, 1,3-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl)-(13.823%%), Ethylbenzene (8.636%), Dodecane, 4,6-dimethyl-(8.145%) and Decane (5.905%), were the major bioactive components. The mode of action of the strain CTA8689 on the F. solani was through the production of antifungal compounds (antibiosis) and lytic enzymes, which suppressed mycelial growth and conidial germination of the pathogen in vitro and greenhouse conditions. Overall, our results showed that A. xylosoxidans strain CTA8689 could be a promising biological control agent (BCAs) for common bean root rot.