Diversity of Antifungal Properties in Bacterial Isolates from Different Plant Species Growing Across Uzbekistan

Plant-associated bacteria play a crucial role in protecting plants from pathogens, yet the diversity and antagonistic potential of these bacteria across different plant species remain underexplored, especially in central Asia. To investigate the competitive dynamics between phytopathogenic fungi and plant-associated bacteria, we collected stem and root samples from 50 plant species across nine regions of Uzbekistan. A total of 3355 bacterial isolates were obtained (1896 from roots and 1459 from shoots) and screened for antifungal activity against six fungal pathogens, resulting in 432 antagonistic isolates. These were identified through 16S rDNA sequencing, revealing 65 bacterial species across three phyla: Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, predominantly in the respective families <i>Bacillaceae</i>, <i>Pseudomonadaceae</i>, and <i>Caryophanaceae.</i> The plant <i>Salsola vvedenskii</i> hosted the highest diversity of antagonists (26 species), while other species harbored fewer. Plant species showed strong associations with specific bacterial communities, with 14 plant species each hosting unique antagonists. Enzymatic profiling revealed functional diversity, with <i>Bacillus</i> species producing protease, cellulase, and lipase activities, while <i>Pseudomonas</i> species excelled in xylanase, glucanase, and cellobiase production. <i>B. mojavensis</i> 9r-29 stood out by producing all six enzymes. These findings underscore the ecological diversity and biocontrol potential of plant-associated bacteria in natural ecosystems, offering promising candidates for sustainable plant protection strategies.