Multi-omics analysis of Bacillus-associated suppression of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus disease symptoms and candidate defense responses in Pinus thunbergii
6 affiliations
- 1Department of Forest Protection, College of Forestry, Northeast Forestry University
- 2College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University
- 3Chongqing Forestry Investment Development Co. Ltd.
- 4National Reserve Forest Research Institute
- 5College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agricultural University
- 6College of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine
Abstract
Introduction: Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus , is a devastating threat to pine forests worldwide. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of two Bacillus strains, Bacillus thuringiensis B122 and Bacillus velezensis B223, isolated from post-logging rhizosphere soil, to suppress PWD symptoms and characterize associated host responses in Pinus thunbergii.
Methods: Root drenching with bacterial suspensions was applied, followed by nematode inoculation. Disease severity and relative control efficacy were assessed. Early needle assays measured hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase responses. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were used to identify candidate molecular associations underlying differential efficacy.
Results: Root drenching with bacterial suspensions significantly reduced disease severity after nematode inoculation. B223 exhibited superior relative control efficacy (76.1%) compared with B122 (40.8%). Early needle assays revealed strain-associated differences in hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase responses. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identified candidate molecular associations underlying this differential efficacy. Both strains were associated with enrichment of defense-related pathways, including MAPK signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis. B223 showed distinct enrichment of the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, including jasmonate/ethylene (JA/ET)-related annotations, and broader metabolic reprogramming.
Discussion: We propose a cautious working model in which B223-associated symptom suppression may involve coordinated hormone-related transcriptional responses, MAPK signaling, and downstream phenylpropanoid/flavonoid metabolism. Collectively, these data support B223 as a promising biocontrol candidate against PWD.
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BibTeX
@article{zhang2026multiomics,
title = {{Multi-omics analysis of Bacillus-associated suppression of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus disease symptoms and candidate defense responses in Pinus thunbergii}},
author = {Yue Zhang and Kexiang Zhi and Zhiyuan Chen and Jing Han and Bin Liu and Wei Ma and Zhihua Liu and Ling Ma and Yibo An},
journal = {Frontiers in Plant Science},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1854108},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1854108/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multi-omics analysis of Bacillus-associated suppression of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus disease symptoms and candidate defense responses in Pinus thunbergii
AU - Yue Zhang
AU - Kexiang Zhi
AU - Zhiyuan Chen
AU - Jing Han
AU - Bin Liu
AU - Wei Ma
AU - Zhihua Liu
AU - Ling Ma
AU - Yibo An
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/14
JO - Frontiers in Plant Science
DO - 10.3389/fpls.2026.1854108
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpls.2026.1854108/full
AB - Introduction: Pine wilt disease (PWD), caused by Bursaphelenchus xylophilus , is a devastating threat to pine forests worldwide. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of two Bacillus strains, Bacillus thuringiensis B122 and Bacillus velezensis B223, isolated from post-logging rhizosphere soil, to suppress PWD symptoms and characterize associated host responses in Pinus thunbergii. Methods: Root drenching with bacterial suspensions was applied, followed by nematode inoculation. Disease severity and relative control efficacy were assessed. Early needle assays measured hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase responses. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were used to identify candidate molecular associations underlying differential efficacy. Results: Root drenching with bacterial suspensions significantly reduced disease severity after nematode inoculation. B223 exhibited superior relative control efficacy (76.1%) compared with B122 (40.8%). Early needle assays revealed strain-associated differences in hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase responses. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses identified candidate molecular associations underlying this differential efficacy. Both strains were associated with enrichment of defense-related pathways, including MAPK signaling, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and flavonoid biosynthesis. B223 showed distinct enrichment of the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, including jasmonate/ethylene (JA/ET)-related annotations, and broader metabolic reprogramming. Discussion: We propose a cautious working model in which B223-associated symptom suppression may involve coordinated hormone-related transcriptional responses, MAPK signaling, and downstream phenylpropanoid/flavonoid metabolism. Collectively, these data support B223 as a promising biocontrol candidate against PWD.
SN - 1664-462X
ER -