Bacillus velezensis strain HT_B9 is a naturally occurring endophytic bacterium isolated from grapevine wood (Vitis vinifera cv. Muscat of Italy) collected in Bouficha (Nabeul, Tunisia). This strain exhibits strong antagonistic activity against several phytopathogenic fungi, including those associated with Botryosphaeria dieback, a major grapevine trunk disease causing severe economic losses worldwide.

In this study, we report the draft genome sequence of B. velezensis HT_B9 to explore its genetic potential as a biocontrol agent. The genome size is 4,065,220 bp with a GC content of 45%, and it comprises 3,847 predicted protein-coding genes, 84 tRNA genes, and 3 rRNA genes. Genome mining revealed the presence of multiple biosynthetic gene clusters involved in the production of bioactive secondary metabolites, including bacillaene, difficidin, macrolactin, surfactin, and fengycin. These compounds are well known for their antimicrobial and plant-protective properties.

The genomic features of strain HT_B9 highlight its capacity for plant colonization and pathogen suppression, supporting its potential application as an eco-friendly biocontrol agent for sustainable management of grapevine trunk diseases. This genomic resource provides a valuable foundation for further functional and applied studies in viticulture bioprotection.