Bacillus subtilis strain UD1022 as a biocontrol agent against Magnaporthe oryzae, the rice blast pathogen

Rice blast disease, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae , is a major threat to global rice production, necessitating sustainable disease management strategies. Compared to chemical pesticides, biocontrol agents, such as beneficial microbe antagonists, offer a sustainable approach to naturally inhibit plant pathogens. This study evaluates the biocontrol potential of Bacillus subtilis UD1022 against M. oryzae through both direct antagonism and volatile-mediated inhibition. In dual culture assays, UD1022 significantly inhibited fungal growth. Furthermore, a stacking plate assay demonstrated that UD1022 produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that suppress fungal growth. Beyond vegetative growth inhibition, UD1022 also disrupted key infection processes of M. oryzae . Spore germination was reduced by 50%, while appressorium formation decreased by approximately 44% in UD1022-treated samples. In planta assays revealed that UD1022-treated rice plants exhibited a substantial reduction in disease severity compared to untreated controls. This reduction correlated with the upregulation of key defense genes in the salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene signaling pathways, suggesting that UD1022 primes systemic resistance in rice plants. These findings establish UD1022 as a potent biocontrol agent capable of suppressing M. oryzae through direct antagonism, VOC-mediated inhibition, and induction of systemic resistance. This study underscores the potential of UD1022 as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for managing rice blast disease.