Unraveling the Metabolite Signature of Endophytic Bacillus velezensis Strain Showing Defense Response towards Fusarium oxysporum

Seedling blight, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, significantly lowers rice production globally. Earlier reports have opined that endophytic bacteria strains could be possible biocontrol agents, but the mechanistic actions involved are still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to isolate the endophytic bacteria with high inhibitory activity and elucidate its possible mechanisms for inducing resistance by metabolomics. The results showed that mdj-36 had the strongest in vitro pathogen inhibition of F. oxysporum, while mdj-34 displayed the lowest inhibitory activity identified as Bacillus velezensis strains. Metabolomic analyses demonstrated that B. velezensis mdj-36 growth medium could produce higher organic acids, terpenes, and diterpene than B. velezensis mdj-34. Further investigation revealed that 'secondary bile acid biosynthesis' and 'glycerophospholipid metabolism' pathways played essential roles in defense response towards F. oxysporum. This study's findings provide a credible theoretical basis for the possible use of the B. velezensis strain against rice seedling blight.