Lipid metabolism in tomato and bean as a sensitive monitor for biocontrol of wilt diseases

The lipids metabolism of tomato and bean plants during biological control of wilt pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici and F. oxysporunz f.sp. phaseoli, respectively) by Bacillus subtilis was investiuated. The interaction of wilt pathogens with both tomato and bean caused an imbalance and drastic reduction in total lipids, triacylglycerol, sterol and all phospholipid fractions except phosphatidic acid. The application of a formulated biocontrol agent, B. subtilis, eliminated the detrimental effect of both wilt pathogens and consequently prevented catabolism of lipid fractions in both tomato and bean. Moreover, the changes in the lipid fractions as a sensitive monitor for biocontrol of wilt diseases suggest a positive correlation between the application of B. subtilis and improvement in the host metabolism towards anabolism.