Enhanced Biocontrol of Root-Knot Nematodes Through Co-Cultivation of <i>Clonostachys rosea</i> and <i>Bacillus velezensis</i>: Proline-Driven Bacterial Fitness and Synergistic Metabolite Production.

ABSTRACT: The ascomycete fungus Clonostachys rosea is a promising biocontrol agent against root-knot nematodes. To develop a more effective and stable biocontrol strategy, we rationally constructed a co-culture system by partnering C. rosea with the plant growth-promoting bacterium Bacillus velezensis. Through systematic optimization of the medium and inoculation protocol, the co-culture demonstrated significantly enhanced performance, achieving 95.3% mortality of Meloidogyne incognita juveniles, a 78.0% increase in tomato shoot dry weight, and 69.2% disease control efficacy in pot trials. Metabolomic profiling indicated that the co-culture triggered a distinct metabolic profile compared to the respective monocultures. The enhanced efficacy was associated with the accumul

SUBMITTER: Zhang J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12941432 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature