Bacterial community shifts in <i>Fusarium</i>-induced avocado root rot and the antagonistic potential of <i>Bacillus siamensis</i> NB92.

ABSTRACT: Avocado root rot, driven by soil-borne fungi such as Fusarium spp., poses a major challenge to global avocado production. The rhizosphere microbiome is critical for plant health, yet the impact of root rot on bacterial community structure and its implications for disease management remain poorly understood. Here, we combined culture-independent 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing with culture-dependent isolation to characterize bacterial communities in healthy and Fusarium-infested avocado bulk and rhizosphere soils. Key beneficial taxa, notably Bacillus, were then isolated and evaluated for their antagonistic potential. Results showed that root rot significantly reduced rhizosphere bacterial α-diversity, altered community structure, and depleted phyla such as Actinobacteriot

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12213771 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature