Nematicidal Activity of the Endophyte Serratia ureilytica against Nacobbus aberrans in Chili Plants (Capsicum annuum L.) and Identification of Genes Related to Biological Control

The genus Serratia is widely distributed in soil, water, plants, animals, invertebrates, and humans. Some species of this genus have antifungal, antibacterial, and nematicidal activity. In this work, the nematicidal activity of the endophytic strain of Serratia sp. in chili, Capsicum annuum L., is reported, where at a bacterial concentration of 4 × 10(9) cel/mL, the penetration of nematodes into the roots significantly decreased by 91 and 55% at 7 and 21 days after inoculation. This bacterial concentration also significantly decreased the number of galls, eggs, egg masses and reproduction factor produced by Nacobbus aberrans in Chili plants, with respect to the control where this bacterial strain was not applied. In the analysis of the genome of the strain, based on average nucleotide identity (ANI), the isolate could be affiliated to the species Serratia ureilytica. The size of the genome is 5.4 Mb, with a 59.3% content of GC. Genes related to the synthesis of chitinases, siderophores, proteases C, serralisins, hemolysin, and serrawettin W2 that have been reported for biocontrol of nematodes were identified in the genome. It is the first report of Serratia ureilytica with nematicidal activity. Based on these results of nematicidal activity, this strain can be evaluated in the field as an alternative in the biocontrol of Nacobbus aberrans in chili cultivation.