Genetic Characteristics and Enzymatic Activities of <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> KS04AU as a Stable Biocontrol Agent against Phytopathogens

<i>Bacillus velezensis</i> has a broad application in the agricultural and industrial sectors for its biocontrol properties and its potential active secondary metabolites. The defined phenotypic characteristics of a strain vary according to its ecosystem. We report the complete genomic analysis of <i>B. velezensis</i> KS04AU compared to four strains of <i>B. velezensis</i> (SRCM102752, ONU-553, FZB42, and JS25R) and two closely related <i>Bacillus amyloliquefaciens</i> (LL3 and IT-45). A total of 4771 protein coding genes comprises the KS04AU genome, in comparison with 3334 genes core genes found in the six other strains and the remaining 1437 shell genes. Average nucleotide identity of the target strain to the six other strains showed 99.65% to <i>B. velezensis</i> ONU-553, sharing 60 orthologous genes. Secondary metabolite gene cluster analysis of all strains showed that KS04AU has a mersacidin cluster gene, which is absent in the genome of the other strains. PHASTER analysis also showed KS04AU harboring two phages (<i>Aeribacllus</i> AP45 NC_048651 and <i>Paenibacillus</i>_Tripp NC_028930), which were also unique in comparison with the other strains. Analysis on anti-microbial resistance genes showed no difference in the genome of KS04AU to any of the other genomes, with the exception of <i>B. amyloliquefaciens</i> IT-45 which had one unique small multidrug-resistance antibiotic efflux-pump gene (<i>qacJ</i>). The CRISPR-Cas systems in the strains were also compared showing one CRISPR gene found only in KS04AU. Hydrolytic activity, antagonistic activity against phytopathogens (<i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>, <i>Fusarium graminearum</i>, <i>Alternaria alternata</i> and <i>Pseudomonas syringae</i>) and biocontrol against tomato foot and root rot experiments were carried out. <i>B. velezensis</i> KS04AU inhibits the growth of all phytopathogens tested, produces hydrolytic activity, and reduces <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> f.sp. <i>radicis-lycopersici</i> (<i>Forl)</i> ZUM2407 lesions up to 46.02 ± 0.12%. The obtained results confirm <i>B. velezensis</i> KS04AU as a potential biocontrol strain for plant protection.