AUTHOR=Feng Ru-Ying , Chen Yi-Hsuan , Lin Chih , Tsai Chia-Hsin , Yang Yu-Liang , Chen Ying-Lien 

TITLE=Surfactin secreted by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Ba01 is required to combat Streptomyces scabies causing potato common scab

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.998707

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2022.998707

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=<p>Potato common scab, which is mainly caused by the bacterium <italic>Streptomyces scabies</italic>, occurs in key potato growing regions worldwide. It causes necrotic or corky symptoms on potato tubers and decreases the economic value of potato. At present, there is no recommended chemical or biological control for combating potato common scab in Taiwan. It can only reduce the occurrence by cultivation control, but the efficacy is limited. Previously we found that <italic>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</italic> Ba01 could control potato common scab in pot assay and in the field. The potential anti-<italic>S. scabies</italic> mechanism was associated with surfactin secretion, but further molecular dissection was not conducted. Thus, in this study we aimed to determine whether surfactin is the main compound active against <italic>S. scabies</italic> by knocking out the <italic>srf</italic> gene cluster in Ba01. The cloning plasmid pRY1 was transformed to Ba01 by electroporation for in-frame deletion. Two independent Δ<italic>srf</italic> mutants were obtained and confirmed by specific primers and mass spectrometry. The swarming ability and <italic>S. scabies</italic> inhibition was significantly decreased (<italic>P</italic>&lt;0.001) in Δ<italic>srf</italic> mutants. The swarming ability of Δ<italic>srf</italic> mutants could be restored by the addition of surfactin. Furthermore, we found that Ba01 formed wrinkled biofilm in MSgg liquid medium, while Δ<italic>srf</italic> mutants formed biofilm abnormally. Furthermore, the α-amylase, protease and phosphate-solubilizing ability of Δ<italic>srf</italic> mutants was decreased, and the mutants could not inhibit the growth and sporulation of <italic>S. scabies</italic> on potato tuber slices. In conclusion, <italic>srf</italic> gene cluster of <italic>B. amyloliquefaciens</italic> Ba01 is responsible for the secretion of surfactin and inhibition of <italic>S. scabies</italic>.</p>