Genome sequence of plant associated rhizobacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain UCMB5033

Motivation and Objectives Over the past years, different measures have been adopted to increase crop production including chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and more recently genetic manipulation of plants. Such methods are costly tools for increasing the yield. In addition, side effects such as nutrient leakage, development of pesticide resistant strains, and negative effects on the environment call for other means to maintain food safety and security. Bacteria mediated bio-control is an alternative strategy that have great promise to overcome such problems. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain UCMB5033 is a spore forming Grampositive rhizobacterium that has shown great potential to serve as biocontrol agent. It has shown growth promotion and disease protection against insects and pathogens after developing symbiotic relationship with host plant; A. thaliana and oilseed rape B. napus (unpublished). Our ultimate goal is to eliminate the use of agrochemicals for production of crops. To achieve this, the aim of the study is to reveal and explain the genetic architecture that contributes to the plants ability to overcome biotic and abiotic stress based on bacterial bio-control. The availability and analysis of genome sequence will throw light on several biological aspects behind plant-bacterium interaction, such as plant colonization, priming, and stress tolerance in order to support durable plant protection and eliminate chemical pesticides.