P-041 - Isolation of Bdellovibrio and similar microorganisms (BALOs) in soil samples in Texas and their possible application as phytopathogen control agents

Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) are a group of bacteria that belong to the delta-proteobacteria. They have the ability to prey on other Gram-negative bacteria. One of the members of BALOs, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, is currently the most studied, which is capable of preying on a wide range of phytopathogenic bacteria, such as Xanthomonas, Pseudomonas, Erwinia, Protobacterium, Burkholderia, and Ralstonia solanacearum, which are responsible for various plant diseases. There is documented evidence of its application in controlling Pseudomonas glycinea, Burkholderia glumae, and Proteobacterium carotovorum subsp. Brasiliense in soybean, rice, and potato crops, respectively, reducing the bacterial load and inhibiting the disease. Notably, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus did not exhibit predation on beneficial microorganisms, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria or those associated with antibiosis. In this study, seven Bdellovibrio strains were isolated from soil samples collected in a garden located in Weslaco, Texas, using the double-layer technique. The presence of the Bdellovibrio strains was identified and confirmed through PCR amplification and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This is the first report of Bdellovibrio strains isolated from soil in Texas. These findings highlight the presence of these predatory bacteria as active bacterial components in the local microbiota and their potential role in regulating bacterial communities. Therefore, it is suggested that they could be utilized as biocontrol agents for the sustainable management of crops.