Enhanced Enterobacter ludwigii ES2-Mediated Thifensulfuron-Methyl Degradation and Maize Disease Resistance: A Multifunctional Microbial Technology Approach.

Rapid industrialization has increased soil pollution, reducing maize yield. We adopted the pesticide-degrading bacteria Enterobacter Ludwigii ES2 from our previous studies and identified some functional genes for agricultural applications. We hypothesized that it is a multifunctional strain and gradually verified it. Bioinformatics studies revealed key protein structures and domains. The gene El-cysJ was knocked out, resulting in a 70% degradation loss. ES2 metabolizes thifensulfuron-methyl via C-N cleavage, demethylation, and degreasing. ES2 degraded thifensulfuron-methyl at 92.74% in 4 days under optimal conditions (30 °C, pH 6.0, 3% inoculum, 10 mg L-1). It also promoted plant growth via nitrogen fixation, phosphorus/potassium solubilization, and siderophore production, controlling maize big blotch disease (64.59% efficacy). ES2 tolerated 7% NaCl and metals (Zn, Mg, Pb) and formed biofilms under thifensulfuron-methyl stress. In field tests, ES2 degraded 87.66% of thifensulfuron-methyl and reduced big blotch by 68.6%. This multifunctional microbial technology will be applied in green and sustainable agricultural applications.