Soil sterilization accumulates higher content of antibacterial compound and recruits beneficial fungus for konjac soft rot disease management by multi-omics analyses

Konjac soft rot is a typical soil-borne disease, and while soil sterilization is known to reduce pathogen inoculum and disease incidence, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates how sterilization alters soil metabolite profiles and microbial communities to suppress pathogens and promote konjac health. We identified the antibacterial compound 1,4-naphthoquinone, which accumulates more abundantly in sterilized soil. Transcriptome analysis revealed that 1,4-naphthoquinone disrupts gene expressions involved in protein synthesis, thereby inhibiting the occurrence of soft rot disease. Furthermore, microbiome analysis of sterilized replanting soil showed significant changes in microbial community structures. Beneficial fungi for disease management are favored to recolonize in sterilized replanting soil. An antagonistic Aspergillus sp. NCF-16 was identified, demonstrating strong inhibitory effects on soft rot disease management. Consequently, our findings suggest that soil sterilization can foster a novel soil environment by enhancing antibacterial compounds and promoting the colonization of beneficial microorganisms for effective soil-borne disease management.