The Role of Paenibacillus in the Plant Pathogen Biological Control Strategies: A Literature Review
(1) Department of Biology, Faculty of Military Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Republic of Indonesia Defense University, Bogor, Indonesia
(2) Department of Biology, Faculty of Military Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Republic of Indonesia Defense University, Bogor, Indonesia
(3) Department of Biology, Faculty of Military Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Republic of Indonesia Defense University, Bogor, Indonesia
(*) Corresponding Author
Abstract
Modern agriculture has faced many serious challenges due to the increasing attack of plant pathogens, that resulted in the decline in productivity and quality of agricultural products. Over-reliance on chemical pesticides often poses many problems in pathogen resistance, environmental pollution, and health risks, so more sustainable alternative strategies are needed. Paenibacillus is a genus of endospore-forming gram-positive soil bacteria that has been widely studied for its potential as a biocontrol agent. Its biocontrol mechanisms include the production of antimicrobial compounds (lipopeptides, antibiotics, secondary metabolites), the activity of hydrolytic enzymes (chitinase, β-glucanase, cellulase), and inhibition through volatile compounds (VOCs) that play a role in suppressing pathogens remotely. In addition to the direct mechanism, Paenibacillus also supports plant health indirectly through the induction of systemic resistance (ISR), which activates the plant's hormonal pathways and defense genes, as well as its role as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) through nitrogen fixation, phosphate and potassium dissolution, siderophore production, and phytohormone synthesis. Recent studies have shown the effectiveness of species such as P. polymyxa, P. terrae, P. peoriae, and P. elgii in suppressing important pathogens, including Meloidogyne incognita, Fusarium proliferatum, Coniella vitis, Pectobacterium brasiliense, and Ralstonia solanacearum. This literature review confirms that Paenibacillus has great potential as a multifunctional biocontrol agent that not only suppresses the development of plant diseases but also increases plant growth and resilience, making it feasible to develop as an environmentally friendly biological control strategy that supports sustainable agriculture.
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