Endophytic Beauveria spp. Enhance Tomato Growth and Resistance to Botrytis cinerea via Transcriptomic Regulation

Author: mycolabadmin
11/10/2025
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Summary

Researchers tested five types of beneficial fungi from the Beauveria genus to see if they could help tomato plants grow better and resist gray mold disease. They found that all five species could live inside tomato plants and help them grow taller. Most importantly, the fungus Beauveria brongniartii completely protected plants from gray mold infection. By examining which genes were activated in the plants, scientists discovered that these fungi boost the plant’s natural defense systems while also improving photosynthesis.

Background

Beauveria species are recognized as dual-function agents serving as both insect pathogens and plant endophytes. However, research has predominantly focused on B. bassiana while overlooking other species’ endophytic potential. This study addresses the knowledge gap by systematically evaluating five Beauveria species for their capacity to establish endophytic associations in tomato.

Objective

To evaluate the endophytic colonization capacity, growth-promoting effects, and disease resistance mechanisms of five Beauveria species (B. bassiana, B. brongniartii, B. aranearum, B. amorpha, and B. velata) in tomato plants challenged with Botrytis cinerea. The study aimed to clarify functional diversity among underutilized species and elucidate underlying molecular mechanisms through transcriptomic analysis.

Results

All five Beauveria species colonized tomato tissues with rates ranging from 33.3% to 56.7%, with B. brongniartii showing the highest efficiency. B. bassiana, B. brongniartii, and B. aranearum significantly increased plant height, while B. brongniartii uniquely enhanced aboveground biomass. All species reduced B. cinerea incidence and severity, with B. brongniartii providing complete protection. Transcriptome analysis identified 160 commonly dysregulated genes, including 17 upregulated genes enriched in defense responses, hormone signaling, and photosynthesis pathways.

Conclusion

Non-B. bassiana Beauveria species establish effective endophytic associations in tomato, promote plant growth, and induce resistance to gray mold through coordinated upregulation of defense and photosynthesis genes. These findings expand the biotechnological potential of Beauveria as biocontrol agents for sustainable agriculture, with B. brongniartii showing exceptional promise as a candidate strain.

Published in:Journal of Fungi,
Study Type:Experimental Study,
Source: 10.3390/jof11110799, PMID: 41295179