Arvin Nickzad

Dr. Arvin Nickzad


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 September 2023 in Applied Microbiology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
SOSnizhana Olishevska
Snizhana Olishevska
ANArvin Nickzad
Arvin Nickzad
CRConcetta Restieri
Concetta Restieri
FDFadi Dagher
Fadi Dagher
YLYan Luo
Yan Luo
Eric DézielEric Déziel
Eric Déziel
Gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Xanthomonas genus include plant pathogens representing a major challenge in the field of agriculture for a wide variety of economically important crops, such as tomato, pepper, and lettuce. Due to the massive usage of agrochemicals, Xanthomonas spp. are developing resistance to copper pesticides typically used to control microbial infections. An interesting alternative approach to control bacterial phytopathogens consists of using eco-friendly biocontrol agents, often beneficial microorganisms. Here, following the targeted, broad-spectrum screening of thousands of microorganisms isolated from different environmental locations, we isolated Bacillus velezensis strain 71 and Paenibacillus peoriae strain To99 displaying potent antagonistic activity against Xanthomonas spp. We found that oxydifficidin and polymyxin A secreted by B. velezensis 71 and P. peoriae To99, respectively, are mainly responsible for the anti-Xanthomonas activity. We further evaluated the performance of cell suspensions and cell-free supernatants of these isolates in controlling tomato bacterial spot disease in growth chamber and greenhouse conditions to validate the in vitro results. The overall results demonstrate the potential of treatments based on the secondary metabolites from both isolates and their cells as an alternative to copper-based chemicals to control leaf spot diseases caused by Xanthomonas spp. phytopathogens.