This study characterizes a novel endophytic strain, Xanthomonas sacchari KmAL21 isolated from banana (Musa acuminata) tissue culture, an unconventional host for this species, which is typically associated with sugarcane and rice. Unlike most Xanthomonas species known for their pathogenicity, this strain exhibits a non-pathogenic, endophytic lifestyle in banana and demonstrates antagonistic activity, inhibiting Fusarium odoratissimum (Fo), the causative agent of Fusarium wilt of banana by 48.3% in co-culture and up to 88.42% with cell-free supernatant (CFS) at 5% concentration after 7 days of incubation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that the development of fungal hyphae and the generation of conidia were disrupted. Integrated genomic and metabolomic analyses identified a 4.94 million base pairs genome size with 4,077 protein-coding genes, encoding nonribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS)-dependent siderophore and antifungal metabolites, including benzoic acid derivates. Eleven biosynthetic gene clusters, including those for xenotetrapeptide was identified. Phylogenomic analysis confirmed KmAL21's close relation to Xanthomonas sacchari CFBP 4641T. This work redefines Xanthomonas as potential antagonist against banana Fusarium wilt, and also expanding the known host range and functional diversity of this species.
Suparmin et al. (2026) studied this question.