Yan, T.; Guan, Y.; Mei, X.; Zhang, Z.; Zhu, T.; Gao, Y.; Xu, Y.; Shen, Q.; Wei, Z.; Yang, T.

In field production, we often apply beneficial microbial agents along with key resources that these beneficial microbes prefer to utilize. This practice aims to help the beneficial microbes colonize the field and exert their disease resistance functions. However, the mechanisms by which these key resources influence the colonization and disease resistance effects of beneficial microbes remain unknown. In this study, we first identified that inulin can enhance the growth capacity of Lysinibacillus sphaericus HR92 and its ability to inhibit Ralstonia solanacearum. Further investigation revealed that inulin can enhance strain HR92\'s flagellar assembly, bacterial chemotaxis, fatty acid metabolism, and siderophore synthesis capabilities, ultimately improving strain HR92\'s effectiveness in controlling bacterial wilt. Moreover, adding inulin to the soil can enrich Pseudarthrobacter strains. This genus, together with inulin, promotes HR92\'s synthesis of butanediol and Surfactin while also competing with R. solanacearum for nutrients, thereby further inhibiting the occurrence of bacterial wilt disease. Additionally, the combination of inulin and Pseudarthrobacter strains upregulates the valine and leucine pathway genes in strain HR92. These genes play a crucial role in the synthesis of surfactin and the antimicrobial VOC 3-methyl-1-butanol. We have demonstrated that the addition of key resources not only enhances the control efficacy of beneficial bacteria against soil-borne diseases but also enriches the \"helpers\" of beneficial bacteria in soil.