Inulin reduces Ralstonia invasion by promoting cooperation between Lysinibacillus sphaericus and Pseudarthrobacter spp.

Abstract In field production, beneficial microbial agents are typically applied along with key resources that beneficial microbes prefer to utilize. This practice aims to help the beneficial microbes colonize the field and exert their disease resistance functions. However, the mechanisms by which these key resources influence the colonization and disease resistance effects of beneficial microbes remain unknown. In this study, we found that inulin can enhance the growth capacity of Lysinibacillus sphaericus HR92 and its ability to inhibit Ralstonia solanacearum. Further investigation revealed that inulin can enhance strain HR92’s flagellar assembly, bacterial chemotaxis, fatty acid metabolism, and siderophore synthesis capabilities, ultimately improving strain HR92’s effectiveness in controlling bacterial wilt. Moreover, adding inulin to the soil can enrich Pseudarthrobacter strains. This genus enhances the expression of genes involved in the synthesis of the antibacterial substance HR92, and competes for nutrients with Ralstonia solanacearum, thereby further inhibiting the occurrence of bacterial wilt disease. Additionally, the combination of inulin and Pseudarthrobacter strains upregulates the valine and leucine pathway genes in strain HR92. These genes play a crucial role in the synthesis of surfactin and the antimicrobial VOC 3-methyl-1-butanol. We have demonstrated that the addition of key resources not only enhances the control efficacy of beneficial bacteria against soil-borne diseases but also enriches the “helpers” of beneficial bacteria in soil. Importance Ralstonia solanacearum is a plant pathogen that can cause bacterial wilt in several important crops. Given the limitations of beneficial bacterial inoculation, we propose a strategy to enhance the biocontrol efficacy of beneficial microorganisms by utilizing key resources. In this study, we demonstrate that key resources inulin can improve the biological control effects of beneficial bacteria, thereby maintaining plant health. Furthermore, we found that increasing the concentration of inulin altered the diversity of the rhizosphere microbiota and specifically enriched the abundance of Pseudarthrobacter, which compete with pathogens for nutrients on one hand and, on the other hand, synergize with inulin to enhance the biocontrol efficacy of the beneficial bacterium HR92. Together, our study reveals that key resources can enhance the biocontrol efficacy of beneficial bacteria and enrich potential beneficial bacteria in resident microbial communities, further reducing tomato diseases. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Footnotes Revise the main figure and the corresponding description in the Results section