The impact of the omics era on the knowledge and use of Lysobacter spp. to control phytopathogenic microorganisms

Omics technologies have had a tremendous impact on under-investigated genera of plant disease biocontrol agents such as Lysobacter. Strong evidence of the association between Lysobacter spp. and the rhizosphere has been obtained through culture independent methods, which has also contributed towards highlighting the relationship between Lysobacter abundance and soil suppressiveness. It is conceivable that the role played by Lysobacter spp. in soil suppressiveness is related to their ability to produce an impressive array of lytic enzymes and antibiotics. Indeed, genomics has revealed that biocontrol Lysobacter strains share a vast number of genes involved in antagonism activities, and the molecular pathways underlying how Lysobacter spp. interact with the environment and other microorganisms have been depicted through transcriptomic analysis. Furthermore, omics technologies shed light on the regulatory pathways governing cell motility and the biosynthesis of antibiotics. Overall, the results achieved so far through omics technologies confirm that the genus Lysobacter is a valuable source of novel biocontrol agents, paving the way for studies aimed at making their application in field conditions more reliable.