Grapevine bacterial endophytes control multiple grapevine pathogens

A collection of bacterial endophytes isolated from wild and domesticated grapevine was characterised for 30 features, arranged in five major groups: plant growth promotion (PGP), antibiotic resistance (AB), secretion of enzymes (ENZ), quorum sensing (QS) and biocontrol (BICO). Many bacterial strains showed a high biocontrol potential against known grapevine pathogens in vitro (Botrytis cinerea, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Botryosphaeria obtusa, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum) and in vivo (B. cinerea and Plasmopara viticola). Interestingly, effective biocontrol agents were classified into several, often distantly related genera. By comparing bacterial strains from wild and cultivated grapevines, we show that the strains with the best biocontrol activity against multiple pathogens were mostly isolated from wild grapevine. Conversely, strains from domestic grapevines were generally more efficient in the in vitro biocontrol of P. chlamydospora. We also discuss here the other groups of analysed features, their distribution and possible ecological significance.