Biology subjects

Mmbaga, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Mmbaga, M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Spatiochemical Investigation of Potential Biocontrol Agents Against Phytophthora capsici Infection in Tomato

Biological control agents can offer an eco-friendly and more sustainable alternative to conventional chemical pesticides, providing protection against destructive pathogens, such as Phytophthora capsici, while reducing potential environmental harm associated with synthetic pesticide use in agricultural production systems. This work demonstrates the biocontrol effectiveness of various Bacillus species, including Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus thuringiensis, and Bacillus subtilis, against the widespread plant pathogen, Phytophthora capsici. Our studies showed that Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis promote plant growth and provide protection against Phytophthora capsici in both in vitro and in vivo greenhouse studies, while Bacillus vallismortis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens were effective in vitro but not in vivo. Specifically, Bacillus thuringiensis was observed to both hinder the growth of Phytophthora capsici and enhance plant resilience to this oomycete pathogen. To probe the molecular interactions between biocontrol agent and pathogen, a dual culture of Bacillus thuringiensis and Phytophthora capsici was analyzed in situ using a mass spectrometry imaging workflow that implemented desorption electrospray ionization. This imaging approach spatially investigated the complex biochemical interactions that serve as the molecular foundation for the effectiveness of these biological control agents in crop protection, including antagonistic interactions that may be fundamental to their method of action. Herein, we demonstrate the benefits of biological control agent application in tomato cultivation, including enhanced pathogen control and plant growth, and showcase the strengths of desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry imaging when applied to the spatially-resolved molecular characterization of agriculturally relevant microorganisms.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2021

Efficient Fluorescence-Based Localization Technique for Tracking Endophytes Route in Host-Plants Colonization

Bacterial isolates that enhance plant growth and suppress plant pathogens growth are essential tools for reducing pesticide applications in plant production systems. The objectives of this study were to develop a reliable fluorescence-based technique for labeling bacterial isolates selected as biological control agents (BCAs) to allow their direct tracking in the host-plant interactions, understand the BCA localization within their host plants, and the route of plant colonization. Objectives were achieved by developing competent BCAs transformed with two plasmids, pBSU101 and pANIC-10A, containing reporter genes eGFP and pporRFP, respectively. Our results revealed that the plasmid-mediated transformation efficiencies of antibiotic-resistant competent BCAs identified as PSL, IMC8, and PS were up 84%. Fluorescent BCA-tagged reporter genes were associated with roots and hypocotyls but not with leaves or stems and were confirmed by fluoresence microscopy and PCR analyses in colonized Arabidopsis and sorghum. This fluorescence-based techniques high resolution and reproducibility make it a platform-independent system that allows tracking of BCAs spatially within plant tissues, enabling assessment of the movement and niches of BCAs within colonized plants. Steps for producing and transforming competent fluorescent BCAs, as well as the inoculation of plants with transformed BCAs, localization, and confirmation of fluorescent BCAs through fluorescence imaging and PCR, are provided in this manuscript. This study features host-plant interactions and subsequently biological and physiological mechanisms implicated in these interactions. The maximum time to complete all the steps of this protocol is approximately three months. SENTENCE SUMMARYWe describe a novel fluorescence localization technique as a powerful tool to directly visualize and determine the route in-situ of BCAs in host-plants interaction. The study features the host-plant interactions, biological and physiological responses implicated.

cell biology↗