Biological control of postharvest diseases of apples,peaches and nectarines by Bacillus subtilis S16 isolated from halophytes rhizosphere

Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are the most common postharvest pathogens of apples, peaches and nectarines. In this study, 96 bacteria were isolated from halophytes rhizosphere and assayed for biocontrol activity under in vitro conditions. Among the 96 isolates tested, isolate S16 effectively inhibited the growth of P. expansum, B. cinerea and C. acutatum. The isolate S16 has reduced 78.33±1.53 to 82.98±2.13% of disease severity in apples, peaches and nectarines. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation-time of flight mass spectrometry of the antifungal compounds revealed three lipopeptide complexes, namely surfactins, iturins and fengycins. Lipopeptides and hydrolytic enzymes produced by the isolate S16 play an important role in the antifungal activity. Polymerase chain reaction analysis using ituD, srfAD, fenD and fenE gene-specific primers showed that the isolate S16 carry sequences similar to ituD, srfAD, fenD and fenE genes. Based on the 16S rDNA sequencing, the effective isolate S16 was identified as Bacillus subtilis.     

Postharvest biological control of Penicillium digitatum decay on citrus fruit by Bacillus pumilus

A new antagonist/pathogen combination is reported, with Bacillus pumilus showing strong antagonistic activity against Penicillium digitatum. B. pumilus (1.6 × 10¹⁰ to 1.6 × 10¹²*cfu ml^-1) gave significant control of P. digitatum infection in Valencia orange, which was as effective as imazalil (500 μg ml^-1) and was significantly better than benomyl treatment (500 μg ml^-1). When lower concentrations of B. pumilus (1.9 × 10⁷ to 1.9 × 10⁹ cfu ml^-1) were tested on Washington Navel orange and Lisbon lemon fruit, the antagonist caused significant control of P. digitatum infection at two inoculum levels (6.5 × 10⁴ and 6.5 × 10⁵ spores ml^-5). Concentrations of both the pathogen and the antagonist affected the biocontrol effect.     

芳樟醇对灰葡萄孢生长的影响及对番茄灰霉病的防控效果

通过平板抑菌试验和孢子萌发试验研究了芳樟醇对灰葡萄孢的生长抑制作用,并通过盆栽试验进一步验证了芳樟醇对番茄灰霉病的防控效果。结果表明: 芳樟醇能够显著抑制灰葡萄孢菌丝的生长,半最大效应浓度(EC₅₀)值为0.581 mL·L^-1。孢子萌发试验中,芳樟醇能够有效抑制灰葡萄孢孢子的萌发,并表现出浓度依赖性。芳樟醇处理提高了灰葡萄孢菌菌丝体的相对电导率和丙二醛(MDA)含量,说明芳樟醇可引起氧化损伤效应导致灰葡萄孢菌的膜系统被破坏;芳樟醇处理后灰葡萄孢菌中的超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性较对照组分别下降了27.4%、68.9%和26.0%,说明芳樟醇抑制了灰葡萄孢菌体内的抗氧化系统。盆栽试验结果显示,芳樟醇处理的病斑直径较对照组显著降低;番茄叶片中的SOD、CAT、POD、多酚氧化酶和苯丙氨酸解氨酶活性均显著高于对照组;而MDA含量下降了41.5%,说明芳樟醇可减轻灰葡萄孢菌对番茄植株造成的氧化损伤以提高植物抗病性。综上,芳樟醇对灰葡萄孢的生长有显著抑制作用并对番茄灰霉病有较好的防治效果,研究结果可为开发新型植物源抑菌剂防控番茄灰霉病提供理论依据。     

Biological control of grey mould in strawberry fruits by halophilic bacteria

Aims:  Grey mould caused by Botrytis cinerea is an economically important disease of strawberries in Tunisia and worldwide. The aim of this study was to select effective halophilic bacteria from hypersaline ecosystems and evaluate the abilities of antifungal bacteria to secrete extracellular hydrolytic enzymes, anti- Botrytis metabolites and volatiles.
Methods and Results:  Grey mould was reduced in strawberry fruits treated with halophilic antagonists and artificially inoculated with B. cinerea . Thirty strains (20·2%) were active against the pathogen and reduced the percentage of fruits infected after 3 days of storage at 20°C, from 50% to 91·66%. The antagonists were characterized by phenotypic tests and 16S rDNA sequencing. They were identified as belonging to one of the species: Virgibacillus marismortui , B. subtilis , B. pumilus , B. licheniformis , Terribacillus halophilus , Halomonas elongata , Planococcus rifietoensis , Staphylococcus equorum and Staphylococcus sp. The effective isolates were tested for antifungal secondary metabolites.
Conclusions:  Moderately halophilic bacteria may be useful in biological control against this pathogen during postharvest storage of strawberries.
Significance and Impact of the study:  The use of such bacteria may constitute an important alternative to synthetic fungicides. These moderate halophiles can be exploited in commercial production and application of the effective strains under storage and greenhouse conditions.     

Biocontrol of strawberry fruit infected by Botrytis cinerea: Effects on the microbial communities on fruit assessed by next‐generation sequencing

Fruit grey mould, caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, is known to be a harmful disease of strawberry at postharvest stage. However, effects of an application of biological control agents (BCAs) on strawberry fruit in terms of shift in the microbial community are still unknown. The present research aimed to investigate the effects of an application of BCAs on postharvest microbial populations present on strawberry fruits. Strawberry plants were sprayed with three kinds of BCA, RhizoVital 42 fl. (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens FZB42), Trianum‐P (Trichoderma harzianum T22) and Naturalis (Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040), targeting Botrytis cinerea fungus. Control plots were composed of water and fungicide treatments. Microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) were analysed via next‐generation sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq. Analysis of 16S RNA and ITS rRNA sequences indicated that the BCAs application modified both bacterial and fungal community compositions and diversity. An application of two BCAs together had more effects on microbial community composition than a single application. These results suggest that BCAs can modify bacterial and fungal community composition and diversity on strawberry fruits, which may consequently improve the efficiency and establishment of these products on control of postharvest diseases of fruits, such as grey mould.     

Biological control of Setophoma terrestris isolated from onion rhizosphere in Costa Rica

Abstract

Setophoma terrestris is a fungus that produces a disease named “pink root” in onion. It is a biotrophic organism that causes losses, decreasing the onion’s weight and diameter. It is difficult to have a pure culture because it is slow growth. In this study, it was improved a protocol to isolate the pathogen from infected roots, which were obtained from farms in Costa Rica. The principal isolate was characterised through microscopic and molecular tests and confirmed as S. terrestris. The Koch’s postulates also were confirmed. Additionally, it was evaluated the antagonism of Trichoderma virens, Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus licheniformis in vitro dual culture assays. After 6 and 8?days, T. virens showed the greatest value of growth inhibition. For 12?days T. virens had the most important effect. The results are promissory for evaluation of these microorganisms as part of an integrated management program to reduce the use of agrochemicals in onion production.     

Biological control of Botrytis cinerea on stem wounds with moderately halophilic bacteria

Infection of tomato stem wounds by Botrytis cinerea is an important problem which can cause severe economic losses in greenhouse tomato crops. Three moderately halophilic bacteria were tested for their ability to protect pruning wounds from attacks by B. cinerea under growth chamber conditions. The severity of the disease estimated by the length of the rotted stem was used to calculate the area under the disease progress curves (AUDPC). Bacterial antagonists (B1, B2 and B3) were very effective in controlling Botrytis-infection on the tomato stems during the first 6 days and later by the end of the experiment. Plants treated with Bacillus subtilis (B1) had the lowest AUDPC (0). It was followed by B. subtilis (B3) and Halomonas sp. (B2) with AUDPC of 9.8 and 17.02, respectively. While the B1 strain best inhibited grey mold development when applied as young culture (24 h), the B3 strain performed better as an older culture (48 h). In contrast to the results obtained with Bacillus species, the efficacy of the bacterial treatment B2 seems to be independent of the growth phase. The co-cultures with fungal spores and either B. subtilis (B1) or Halomonas sp. (B2) applied as a 24 h bacterial culture completely inhibited the germination of B. cinerea after 24 h at 21°C.     

Isolation and characterization of bacteria from the rhizosphere of wheat

In this study, we isolated bacteria from rhizosphere and endorhizophere of wheat crops of the central region of Argentina. The isolates were phenotypically characterized and the restriction patterns of 16S rDNA (ARDRA) using endonuclease AluI were analysed. Representative isolates were used to evaluate the effect of the inoculation on the growth of wheat under greenhouse conditions. The effects of plant growth-promoting bacteria on wheat plants were studied by evaluating shoot fresh and dry weights and root fresh and dry weights. One native strain increased the shoot and root dry biomass by 23% and 45% respectively. Other strains increased the shoot dry biomass. A 1.5 kb fragment of the 16S rRNA gene of one isolate was sequenced. This isolate showed high identity with different species of Pseudomonas.     

Nitrogen fixation by Bacillus strains isolated from the rhizosphere of Ammophila arenaria

Summary Several Bacillus strains, from the rhizosphere of Ammophila arenaria, appeared on ‘nitrogen-free’ agar plates. They were able to grow in nitrogen-poor medium to which 0.1% yeast extract was added. Three of these bacilli were tested for their ability to fix nitrogen using the acetylene reduction assay. The C₂H₂-reducing activity was determined at 8-hour intervals during their growth cycle. C₂H₂ reduction (and accordingly N₂ fixation) was greater under anaerobic than aerobic conditions. Additions of 0.1% CaCO₃ significantly increased the C₂H₂-reducing activity under both conditions. Characterisation suggests that these strains are new nitrogen-fixing Bacillus species. re]19740121     

Iturin A is the principal inhibitor in the biocontrol activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 against postharvest fungal pathogens

Aims: A Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain, surviving epiphytically on the surface of fruit, was isolated while searching for naturally occurring biological control agents. This bacterial strain was characterized for its antifungal activity against seven selected fungal postharvest pathogens of citrus. Methods and Results: To understand the antifungal activity, seven postharvest fungal pathogens were screened for growth inhibition by B. amyloliquefaciens strain. Assays using B. amyloliquefaciens lipopeptide extracts showed a strong inhibitive activity. The inhibitory effect was observed in abnormal conidial germination and germ tube development when conidia were treated with different lipopeptide extract concentrations. Further analysis using PCR and chromatography confirmed the presence of fengycin, iturin and surfactine, of which iturin A showed the strongest and most common inhibitory effect. The results are supported by site‐directed mutagenesis analysis, targeted to suppress the biosynthesis of iturin A production. Fruit trials confirmed disease development inhibition when the antagonist was applied 1 day prior to or 1 day after fungal application. Conclusions: We conclude that the iturin family of lipopeptides are vital in the antagonism of B. amyloliquefaciens against the seven citrus postharvest pathogenic fungi tested. Significance and Impact of the Study: We elucidated the principal mechanism used by B. amyloliquefaciens PPCB004 to suppress postharvest disease development on stored fruits.     

Biological control of winter wheat pathogens with the use of antagonistic Sphingomonas bacteria under greenhouse conditions

This paper describes, for the first time, the effect of bacteria of the genus Sphingomonas on healthiness of winter wheat. The effect of the application of Sphingomonas cell suspension on development of disease symptoms of powdery mildew and Fusarium head blight (FHB) of winter wheat cv. Bogatka was studied under greenhouse conditions. The abundance of populations of yeast and fungi producing mycelium as well as bacteria of the genus Azotobacter and pseudomonads was determined on wheat kernels. The biocontrol agent reduced the population size of Fusarium poae, and it contributed to better grain filling. The tested Sphingomonas isolate reduced the severity of flag leaf infection caused by pathogenic biotroph Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici.     

Indole-3-acetic acid enhances the biocontrol of Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea on pear fruit by Cryptococcus laurentii

This study evaluated the efficacy of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) alone or with a biocontrol yeast, Cryptococcus laurentii, in the inhibition of blue and gray mold diseases (Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea) on pear fruit. The results demonstrated that a combination of C. laurentii with IAA at 100 microg mL(-1) was more effective in suppressing blue and gray mold infections on pear fruit than application of C. laurentii alone. IAA alone or with C. laurentii stimulated catalase, peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase activities of pear fruit, indicating that IAA can induce fruit-mediated resistance, although this agent alone had no direct antifungal activity.     

Biological control of seedling blight of wheat caused by Fusarium graminearum with beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms

Fusarium graminearum is associated with the cereal damping-off complex which reduces germination, seedling stand and yield. Fifty-two bacterial strains and six Trichoderma spp. isolated from the wheat rhizosphere were evaluated for biocontrol of seedling blight of wheat caused by F. graminearum. Their potential as biocontrol agents was tested in vitro and in the greenhouse. Isolates varied in their ability to inhibit the mycelial growth of F. graminearum in agar plate bioassays by 0–79%. This parameter was not related with biocontrol efficacy of in vivo assays. In greenhouse trials, all isolates were initially evaluated for reducing disease on wheat cultivars Klein Centauro (moderately resistant to F. graminearum) and Pro INTA Oasis (susceptible) planted in sterilized soil artificially infested with the pathogen. Among the 25 bacteria and six fungal isolates that exhibited a pronounced suppressive effect, the most efficient 10 for both cultivars were further assayed on eight cultivars (Buck Candil, Buck Catriel, Buck Chambergo, Buck Poncho, Buck Topacio, Klein Cacique, Klein Centauro and Pro INTA Oasis) potted in cultivated–inoculated soil. Three weeks after sowing, plant stand, percentage of diseased emerging seedlings, plant height and dry weight were evaluated. Among the antagonists only Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was significantly better than the control for the average of the eight cultivars for plant stand, height and dry weight. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia also caused a non-significant decrease in the percentage of diseased plants. Three strains of Bacillus cereus and one isolate of Trichoderma harzianum gave also a good control in some cultivars. The ability of these isolates to affect the infection of wheat seedlings by F. graminearum may be of potential value in field trials.     

Influence of antagonist, host fruit and pathogen on the biological control of postharvest fungal diseases by yeasts

The yeasts Rhodotorula glutinis (LS-11), Cryptococcus laurentii (LS-28), Candida famata (21-D) and Pichia guilliermondii (29-A) and the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (LS-30), previously selected and characterized for mechanisms of action and antagonistic activity against postharvest pathogens in small and large-scale experiments, were used in this study in order to assess interrelationships among the main factors (antagonist, host fruit and fungal pathogen) involved in biological control of postharvest diseases. The antagonists were evaluated for their inhibitory activity (IA) against six common postharvest fungal pathogens on six different host fruits. Artificially wounded fruits were first inoculated with the antagonist and 2 h later with the pathogen; subsequently they were kept at 20°C for 4–6 days. The IA of each antagonist was evaluated and data were submitted to factorial analysis of variance. The populations of antagonists were also monitored on wounded and unwounded fruits kept at 20°C for 7 days. Each factor examined (antagonist, host fruit and fungal pathogen) as well as their interactions significantly affected the IA. However, among the antagonists, isolates LS-28 and LS-30 were only slightly affected by both host and pathogen, showing a wide range of activity, whereas isolate LS-11 had a variable IA. All the antagonists rapidly colonized the wounds, while their population remained substantially unchanged on unwounded fruits. These results suggest that in order to select yeasts with a broad spectrum of action, more suitable for commercial development, it would be advantageous to perform preliminary assays against several pathogens and in particular on different fruit species. Received 23 February 1999/ Accepted in revised form 09 July 1999     

Rope-producing strains of Bacillus spp. from wheat bread and strategy for their control by lactic acid bacteria

Two types of white wheat bread (high- and low-type loaves) were investigated for rope spoilage. Thirty of the 56 breads tested developed rope spoilage within 5 days; the high-type loaves were affected by rope spoilage more than the low-type loaves. Sixty-one Bacillus strains were isolated from ropy breads and were characterized on the basis of their phenotypic and genotypic traits. All of the isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis by biochemical tests, but molecular assays (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR assay, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis, and sequencing of the V3 region of 16S ribosomal DNA) revealed greater Bacillus species variety in ropy breads. In fact, besides strains of B. subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus cereus, and isolates of Bacillus clausii and Bacillus firmus were also identified. All of the ropy Bacillus isolates exhibited amylase activity, whereas only 32.4% of these isolates were able to produce ropiness in bread slices after treatment at 96 degrees C for 10 min. Strains of lactic acid bacteria previously isolated from sourdough were first selected for antirope activity on bread slices and then used as starters for bread-making experiments. Prevention of growth of approximately 10(4) rope-producing B. subtilis G1 spores per cm(2) on bread slices for more than 15 days was observed when heat-treated cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum E5 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides A27 were added. Growth of B. subtilis G1 occurred after 7 days in breads started with Saccharomyces cerevisiae T22, L. plantarum E5, and L. mesenteroides A27.     

Combination of antagonistic yeasts with two food additives for control of brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola on sweet cherry fruit

AIMS: To evaluate beneficial effect of two food additives, ammonium molybdate (NH4-Mo) and sodium bicarbonate (NaBi), on antagonistic yeasts for control of brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola in sweet cherry fruit under various storage conditions. The mechanisms of action by which food additives enhance the efficacy of antagonistic yeasts were also evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Biocontrol activity of Pichia membranefaciens and Cryptococcus laurentii against brown rot in sweet cherry fruit was improved by addition of 5 mmol l(-1) NH4-Mo or 2% NaBi when stored in air at 20 and 0 degrees C, and in controlled atmosphere (CA) storage with 10% O2 + 10% CO2 at 0 degrees C. Population dynamics of P. membranefaciens in the wounds of fruit were inhibited by NH4-Mo at 20 degrees C after 1 day of incubation and growth of C. laurentii was inhibited by NH4-Mo at 0 degrees C in CA storage after 60 days. In contrast, NaBi did not significantly influence growth of the two yeasts in fruit wounds under various storage conditions except that the growth of P. membranefaciens was stimulated after storage for 45 days at 0 degrees C in CA storage. When used alone, the two additives showed effective control of brown rot in sweet cherry fruit and the efficacy was closely correlated with the concentrations used. The result of in vitro indicated that growth of M. fructicola was significantly inhibited by NH4-Mo and NaBi. CONCLUSION: Application of additives improved biocontrol of brown rot on sweet cherry fruit under various storage conditions. It is postulated that the enhancement of disease control is directly because of the inhibitory effects of additives on pathogen growth, and indirectly because of the relatively little influence of additives on the growth of antagonistic yeasts. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results obtained in this study suggest that an integration of NH4-Mo or NaBi with biocontrol agents has great potential in commercial management of postharvest diseases of fruit.     

Survival of the postharvest biocontrol yeast Candida sake CPA-1 after dehydration by spray-drying

Spray drying was evaluated as a dehydrating method to preserve the postharvest biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA-1. The effect of drying temperature, carrier, growth and rehydrating medium on the survival of the yeast was studied. Outlet temperature had more influence on the death of the cells than inlet temperature, and survival decreased with increasing temperature. Spray drying at an inlet temperature of 150°C was optimum in terms of viability, powder recovery and moisture content of the product. Use of 10% (v/v) skimmed milk as a carrier gave the highest survival and percentage of powder recovery (34-47%). Rich rehydration media were found to be better than water or phosphate buffer, with slight differences on survival. Spray-dried cells were less effective than fresh ones in controlling Penicillium expansum rot on apples. Spray drying of C. sake was not a good dehydration method as it gave low cell survival, poor recovery of product, and low efficacy.     

Selection of antagonistic bacteria isolated from the Physalis peruviana rhizosphere against Fusarium oxysporum

Aims: Cape gooseberries (Physalis peruviana) have become increasingly important in Colombia for both domestic consumption and the international export market. Vascular wilting caused by Fusarium oxysporum is the most damaging disease to P. peruviana crops in Colombia. The control of this pathogen is mainly carried out by chemical and cultural practices, increasing production costs and generating resistance. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to test rhizobacteria isolates from P. peruviana rhizosphere against F. oxysporum under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Methods and Results: Over 120 strains were isolated, and five were selected for their high inhibition of F. oxysporum growth and conidia production under in vitro conditions. These strains inhibited growth by 41–58% and reduced three‐ to fivefold conidia production. In the in vivo assays, all the tested isolates significantly reduced fungal pathogenicity in terms of virulence. Isolate B‐3·4 was the most efficient in delaying the onset of the first symptoms. All isolates were identified as belonging to the genus Pseudomonas except for A‐19 (Bacillus sp.). Conclusions: Our results confirmed that there are prospective rhizobacteria strains that can be used as biological control agents; some of them being able to inhibit in vitro F. oxysporum growth and sporulation. Significance and Impact of the Study: Incorporating these bacteria into biological control strategies for the disease that causes high economical losses in the second most exported fruit from Colombia would result in a reduced impact on environment and economy.     

芽孢杆菌拮抗苹果树腐烂病菌的筛选、鉴定及抑菌活性初探

【背景】苹果树腐烂病发生面积广、危害严重,目前对于该病的防治以化学防治为主,但存在一定的弊端,因此迫切需要寻找一种对该病高效、安全的防治措施。【目的】从敦煌地区盐碱土壤中筛选出对苹果树腐烂病有良好抑制作用的芽孢杆菌菌株。【方法】采用平板对峙培养法和菌丝生长速率法对盐碱土中分离筛选的芽孢杆菌进行拮抗苹果树腐烂病菌的筛选,并对优良拮抗效果菌株进行离体组织防效测定、发酵培养基选择以及结合培养形态、生理生化及16S rRNA基因序列分析进行菌种鉴定。【结果】初筛阶段菌株7-2-1-2对病原菌的抑制率为86.18%,复筛试验中发酵液对病原菌的抑制率为73.2%;在离体枝条创面涂抹菌株7-2-1-2发酵原液后,苹果树腐烂病菌的生长可被完全抑制;菌株7-2-1-2的最优生长培养基为NBY培养基;经初步鉴定,菌株7-2-1-2为枯草芽孢杆菌亚种(Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii)。【结论】菌株7-2-1-2对苹果树腐烂病有较好的生防效果,为该病生防菌剂的选择提供了必要的菌种资源。