Genomic Decoding of Bacillus velezensis BV01 Reveals Multifaceted Biocontrol Mechanisms Against Fungal Phytopathogens

Plant disease biocontrol represents an effective and ecologically sustainable approach for managing fungal phytopathogens. Although our previous study confirmed that Bacillus velezensis BV01 possesses potent antagonistic activities against phytopathogenic fungi, the dose-dependent efficacy of its fermentation broth, the contribution of volatile metabolites, and the genetic determinants underlying this inhibition have remained unclear. In this study, strain BV01 markedly suppressed the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum, and Rhizoctonia solani. Moreover, its volatile organic compounds exerted significant inhibitory effects on these pathogens, albeit to a lesser extent than the fermentation broth. Genomic analyses identified 15 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters, including those involved in the biosynthesis of macrolactin H, bacillene, bacillibactin, and bacilysin, as well as numerous genes encoding lytic enzymes. Collectively, these findings underscore the considerable potential of B. velezensis BV01 as a biocontrol agent and provide a robust foundation for its future development and practical deployment.