P-080 - Induced resistance against Tomato leaf curl Thailand virus using Bacillus velezensis: Transcriptomic, and Metabolomic Insights

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM HST

Location: Exhibit Hall 3

Presenting Author(s)

ML

Mei-Ju Lin

Assistant Researcher
Taiwan Agricultural Research Insititute
Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Author(s)

YC

Ying-Huey Cheng

Researcher
Fengshan Tropical Horticultural Experiment Branch, Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture
Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Republic of China)
YT

Yuan-Kai Tu

Associate Researcher
Taiwan Agricultural Research Insititute
TAICHUNG, Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)
JC

Jin-Tong Chen

Associate Researcher
Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Floricultural Experiment Branch
YUNLIN, Yunlin, Taiwan (Republic of China)

Abstract Text: The tomato growing season from September to April aligns with the peak abundance of whiteflies, the primary vectors of Tomato leaf curl Thailand virus (TYLCTHV), resulting in substantial yield losses. As consumer-preferred fresh market tomato varieties are highly susceptible to the viral disease, this study aims to testify the use of microorganisms to enhance tomato resistance to TYLCTHV. Tomato seedlings were root irrigated and foliar sprayed weekly with B. velezensis JS strain following by injection with agro-infectious clone of TYLCTHV after twice spray. The treatment significantly reduced disease severity, and viral load. Indicating that the pre-inoculation application of Bv-JS is an effective strategy. In addition, transcriptomic analysis revealed that eight up-regulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) after Bv-JS application, including TGL-1, 7k-LTP, sig1, PMR5, DHN, HIRD11, LyesC2p002 and Twi1, which were associated with plant immune responses, while several genes were linked to plant growth and stress adaptation. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis indicated that Bv-JS application modulated the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites involved in disease resistance, including phenolics, flavonoids, alkaloids as well as regulation of phytohormone pathways were activated. These results suggested that Bv-JS mitigates TYLCTHV infection through multiple mechanisms. Future investigations employing integrated multi-omics approaches will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of microbial-mediated antiviral defense, facilitating translation to sustainable management.