Volatile organic compounds of L. enzymogenes LEC suppress the growth of fungal and oomycete pathogens and modify the cell physiology of Rhizoctonia solani

Volatile organic compounds from Lysobacter enzymogenes LEC strongly suppress several fungal and oomycete pathogens, with up to 94% inhibition of Phytophthora infestans.

• Why it matters: Biocontrol using bacterial VOCs could expand application options, but the breadth of activity and the physiological effects on target pathogens needed clearer definition.
• What they did: VOCs were tested in vitro with split-plate assays against eight isolates and in planta against Pseudoperonospora cubensis on cucumber; volatilomes of LEC and Lysobacter enzymogenes DSM2043 were profiled by GC-MS, and Rhizoctonia solani responses were imaged by fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy.
• The result: LEC VOCs reduced downy mildew by 39% locally on cucumber leaves and, in R. solani, decreased nuclei abundance while increasing lipid accumulation; GC-MS showed distinct VOC profiles and highlighted ketones like 2-dodecanone and undecanone as candidate bioactive compounds.

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