<i>Bacillus velezensis</i> Enhances Rice Resistance to Brown Spot by Integrating Antifungal and Growth Promotion Functions.

ABSTRACT: Brown spot, caused by the seedborne fungus Bipolaris oryzae, remains a major constraint in rice production. Here, we used in vitro and in vivo assays to evaluate the biocontrol potential of three Bacillus strains (Ba. cereus OQ725688.1, Ba. velezensis OP938696.1, and Ba. subtilis OP937353.1) against Bi. oryzae in two rice cultivars ("Rubelita" and "Predileta"). Ba. cereus showed the highest in vitro mycelial inhibition (≈95%), whereas Ba. velezensis was the most effective under greenhouse conditions, reducing disease severity by up to 60% and increasing seedling vigor by 51% compared with infected controls. "Predileta" showed the strongest response to bacterial treatment, maintaining severity scores below 2 even under high inoculum pr

SUBMITTER: Pires EBE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12898680 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature