A Novel Neotropical Strain Inhibits Soil-Borne Plant Pathogens and Promotes Soybean Growth.

Soil-borne fungal pathogens such as spp., spp., and spp. pose significant threats to global agriculture, with soybean crops among the most severely affected due to damping-off disease. These pathogens cause substantial yield losses, making their management a critical concern. In this study, we investigated the potential of BCL, a novel Neotropical strain, as an eco-friendly solution for managing , , and species. The strain exhibited strong antifungal activity, significantly inhibiting fungal growth in vitro, with the greatest suppression observed against spp., reaching up to 81%. In vivo assays further confirmed the biocontrol potential of . When applied at 10 colony-forming units (CFU)/mL, the strain reduced disease symptoms and improved plant growth parameters-including root length, shoot biomass, and leaf number-compared to untreated, infected controls. The protective effect varied by pathogen, with the most significant recovery in root length observed against spp. (85%) and spp. (78%). In preventive treatments, fermentation extracts of the strain suppressed disease progression, although they did not promote seedling growth. A genomic analysis of BCL revealed genes encoding antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including terpenes, fengycins, and surfactins. These findings highlight BCL as a promising candidate for sustainable crop protection and a valuable resource for developing novel antimicrobial strategies in agriculture.