Exploring the impact of cyclic lipopeptides from Bacillus subtilis NBAIR-BSWG1 through in vitro and in planta, studies against Sclerotium rolfsii

Bacillus subtilis is a Gram-positive bacterium known for its antagonistic attributes, particularly through the production of various secondary metabolites, including lipopeptides. In this study, we investigated the antagonistic capabilities of B. subtilis strain NBAIR-BSWG1 with a focus on assessing the efficacy of NBAIR-BSWG1 in combatting Sclerotium rolfsii. Our findings demonstrated substantial inhibitory effects, with 82.73% to 100% reduction in S. rolfsii growth when exposed to NBAIR-BSWG1 at concentrations ranging from 50 to 100 µL/mL in poison food technique. In dual culture assay, NBAIR-BSWG1 exhibited a significant 55.50% inhibition of S. rolfsii. Moreover, pot experiments revealed a promising 26% reduction in disease incidence. This study underscores the significant role of NBAIR-BSWG1 in controlling S. rolfsii, holding substantial potential for developing effective formulations aimed at mitigating the southern blight of tomatoes.