Abstract:Background Cotton verticillium wilt is a highly detrimental disease to the cotton industry, severely affecting cotton quality and the economic well-being of cotton farmers.Objective To isolate and screen strains with high-efficiency disease resistance and growth-promoting properties, so as to provide microbial resources for the biological control of cotton verticillium wilt.Methods The dilution-plating method and plate confrontation method were used to screen strains with antagonistic effects against cotton verticillium wilt. Morphological analysis, physiological and biochemical tests, and molecular biology were employed to identify the taxonomic status of the strains. The strains were assessed for enzyme production, nitrogen fixation, and phosphate solubilization capabilities. Cultivation conditions were optimized, and the practical application effects of the strains in antifungal and growth-promoting activities were evaluated through cotton pot experiments.Results A strain of Bacillus velezensis F41-14 with a high inhibitory activity against Verticillium dahliae was isolated and screened, showing an inhibition rate of 76.32% and an indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production of 4.15 mg/L. Strain F41-14 exhibited the ability to produce cellulase, protease, and amylase and solubilize phosphate. The optimal cultivation conditions were 72 h of incubation, 3% inoculum size, 30 ℃, and initial pH of 7.0. Pot experiments demonstrated that the antagonistic strain colonized the root system of cotton, promoted cotton plant growth, reduced the disease index, and achieved a control efficacy of 78.62%.Conclusion B. velezensis F41-14 exhibits significant antifungal and growth-promoting potential, which makes it a viable biocontrol strain against cotton verticillium wilt, with substantial practical value.