Production of volatile organic compounds by an antagonistic strain Paenibacillus polymyxa WR-2 in the presence of root exudates and organic fertilizer and their antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by antagonistic microbes have great antifungal potential against soil-borne fungal pathogens. The VOCs produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa strain WR-2 in the presence of root exudates and organic fertilizer were identified and their effects on the growth and spore germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum were evaluated. The VOCs produced by WR-2 inhibited the growth of F. oxysporum by 38%, 36% and 40% in agar medium, sterilized soil and natural soil, respectively. This inhibitory effect was increased to 60%, 58% and 64% with the addition of organic fertilizer in agar medium, sterilized soil and natural soil, respectively. The addition of root exudates did not affect the production of antifungal VOCs by WR-2. The VOCs produced by WR-2 completely inhibited the germination of F. oxysporum spores. Out of 42 identified VOCs, seven VOCs; benzothiazole, benzaldehyde, undecanal, dodecanal, hexadecanal, 2-tridecanone and phenol were found to inhibit the growth of F. oxysporum. The results of these experiments suggest another significance of using organic fertilizer as a carrier material with the biocontrol agents to control soil-borne fungal pathogens.     

白色麝香霉挥发性有机化合物的抗菌活性和组成分析

采用核糖体RNA转录间隔区(internal transcribed spacer of ribosomal RNA,ITS r RNA)、RNA聚合酶II(RNA polymerase II,rpb2)和β-维管蛋白(beta-tubulin,tub1)基因系统发育分析法,鉴定了一株分离自浙江庆元的麝香霉ZJQY709,鉴定结果表明该菌为白色麝香霉Muscodor albus。生长速率法测定结果显示该菌株最适生长温度为22–28℃。二分格培养皿对峙培养法测定该菌挥发性有机化合物的抑菌活性,结果表明其挥发性有机化合物对灰葡萄孢菌和立枯丝核菌的生长抑制作用较强,而对尖孢镰刀菌和终极腐霉的抑制作用较弱。固相微萃取/气质联用法分析该菌产生的挥发性有机化合物,结果显示其挥发性有机化合物成分复杂,主要气体成分为2-甲基丙酸、乙酸-2-甲基丙酯和1-丁醇-2-甲基乙酸。     

Antifungal potentiality of some plant extracts against Fusarium sp.

Abstract

Aqueous extracts of 46 plants belonging to 32 different families of the plant kingdom were screened for antifungal activity against eight important species of Fusarium viz., Fusarium equiseti, F. moniliforme, F. semitectum, F. graminearum, F. oxysporum, F. proliferatum, F. solani and F. lateritium. The test fungi were isolated from maize, paddy and sorghum seeds collected from Mysore district, Mysore, India. Among the several plants screened only 12 plants have recorded significant antifungal activity. The antifungal activity of aqueous extracts varied among the test pathogens and was compared with that of the synthetic fungicides Blitox, Captan, Dithane M-45 and Thiram. F. proliferatum, which showed high susceptibility for the aqueous extracts, was tested using different solvent extracts viz., petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, methanol and ethanol extracts of all the 12 plants. The results revealed that these plants could be exploited for ecofriendly management of the diseases caused by the test fungal pathogens and seed biodeterioration during storage.     

Organic acids and water-soluble phenolics produced by Paxillus sp. 60/92 together show antifungal activity against Pythium vexans under acidic culture conditions

Ectomycorrhizal fungi can produce antifungal compounds in vitro as well as in symbiosis with the host plant that can reduce root diseases. The objective of this study was to isolate antifungal compounds from culture filtrate of Paxillus sp. 60/92, which can form mycorrhizas with Picea glehnii seedlings. Culture filtrate of Paxillus sp. 60/92 showed antifungal activity against Pythium vexans at pH 3–4 but not at pH 5–10, although sterile MMN-b liquid medium (pH 3–10) did not show antifungal activity. Upon separation of antifungal compounds in the culture filtrate, antifungal activity was detected in the organic acid and water-soluble phenolics fractions adjusted to pH 3. Although antifungal activity of individual fractions was lower than that of the culture filtrate, a mixture of these fractions showed antifungal activity similar to that of the culture filtrate. Furthermore, antifungal activity of oxalic acid, which is known to be produced by Paxillus involutus, was increased by mixing with the water-soluble phenolic fraction. Our findings indicate that Paxillus sp. 60/92 produces organic acids and water-soluble phenolics that together show antifungal activity at pH 3–4 against P. vexans.     

Characterization and antifungal activity of the yellow pigment produced by a Bacillus sp. DBS4 isolated from the lichen Dirinaria agealita

This study emphasis the production of yellow pigment from endolichenic Bacillus sp. isolated from the lichen Dirinaria aegialita (Afzel. ex Ach.) B.J. Moore. Yellow pigment-producing twenty different strains were investigated. The hyperactive pigment-producing bacterial strain was identified as Bacillus gibsonii based on 99 % sequence similarity. Maximum bacterial pigment production appeared in Luria Bertani medium. Methanol extraction of the pigment and its partial purification using TLC was carried out. Furthermore, isolated pigments were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and GC-MS results related to the possibility of the carotenoid occurrence. The pigment also exhibited efficient antifungal activity against selected fungal pathogens of economic importance. Likewise, the pigment extract evaluated for the total antioxidant potential using Phosphomolybdenum and Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay and the results represented in Ascorbic Acid Equivalent (AAE)- 21.45 ± 1.212 mg/mL. The SC₅₀ of the pigment extract found to be 75.125 ± 0.18 µg/ml determined by the ABTS assay.     

Detection of latent infections caused by Colletotrichum sp. in olive fruit

Aims

To set up a practical method to detect latent infections of Colletotrichum sp., the causal agent of olive anthracnose, on olives before the onset of disease symptoms.

Methods and Results

Freezing, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), ethanol and ethylene treatments were evaluated to detect latent infections on inoculated and naturally infected olive fruit by Colletotrichum sp. as non‐hazardous alternatives to paraquat. Treatments were conducted using fruit of cultivars Arbequina and Hojiblanca. The disease incidence and T₅₀ were calculated. Dipping in NaOH 0·05% solution and the paraquat method were the most effective treatments on both inoculated and naturally infected fruit, although the value of T₅₀ was lower for the NaOH method than for the paraquat method in one of the experiments. Subsequently, the dipping time in NaOH 0·05% was evaluated. Longer dipping times in NaOH 0·05% were better than shorter ones in cultivar Arbequina, with 72 h being the most effective in cultivar Hojiblanca.

Conclusions

NaOH solution is a practical method to detect latent infections of Colletotrichum sp. on immature olive fruit.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study is relevant because we set up a viable, non‐hazardous alternative to paraquat to detect latent infections of Colletotrichum sp. using NaOH. The use of NaOH is a simple and eco‐friendly tool that allows the determination of the level of latent infections by Colletotrichum in olives. Therefore, our method will be useful in decision‐making processes for disease management before the appearance of the first visible symptoms.     

Volatile organic compounds in the strongly fragrant fern genus Melpomene (Polypodiaceae)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common among plants, both as attractants for pollinators and as defence against herbivores. While much studied among flowering plants, the prevalence and function of VOCs among ferns is little known. Using headspace sorption and gas chromatography, we analysed the VOCs of dried specimens of six species of grammitid fern (Polypodiaceae), including two species of the genus Melpomene, which is characterised by a distinctive sweet smell. We identified 38 VOCs, including 22 not previously recorded among ferns. The two species of Melpomene had distinct VOC cocktails, including 12 substances not found in the other four studied genera, mainly involving fatty acid derivatives (FADs) and aromatics. We propose that these VOCs have, at least in part, a function in herbivore defence, but note that the VOC bouquet of Melpomene is distinct from that typically found in angiosperms.     

刺盘孢菌的蛋白互作预测及侵染早期共表达模块分析

刺盘孢菌是一类重要的植物病原真菌,在全球范围内危害众多单双子叶植物。有许多研究对病菌的侵染模式进行了探索,但仍未阐明其确切的分子机制。本研究在预测病菌蛋白互作的基础上,结合表达谱数据对病菌在活体生存环境下的共表达模块进行挖掘和分析,以期为分子机制的研究提供新的线索。通过同源映射法和结构域法,预测得到刺盘孢菌的4 288个蛋白之间存在41 700个潜在互作,其中39 776个互作发生于异源蛋白之间,1 924个互作发生于同一蛋白内。将蛋白互作数据分别与4个表达谱数据进行整合,构建得到离体I、离体II、活体I和活体II 4个共表达互作组。对离体和活体互作组的共有基因的表达水平进行比较分析,结果表明,与离体互作组相比,活体互作组中与翻译、蛋白代谢等有关的基因表达水平下降,与离子转运、糖物质转运等有关的基因表达水平上升,暗示了物质转运在刺盘孢菌侵染早期的重要作用。进一步对活体互作组进行模块化分析,结果表明,活体I和活体II的特异模块分别与胁迫响应、肌动蛋白纤维长度调控有关,其中胁迫响应子网是以热激蛋白Hsp70为核心的互作簇,可能参与病菌对寄主的识别与对抗;肌动蛋白纤维长度调控子网则可能与病菌菌丝在寄主细胞间的延伸有关。     

水霉拮抗菌的筛选及其拮抗活性物质稳定性初步研究

【目的】从海底沉积物中分离、筛选水霉拮抗放线菌菌株,鉴定目标菌株及其无菌发酵液对水霉生长的抑制效果,并初步分析拮抗活性物质的稳定性。【方法】用稀释涂布法从采集的海底沉积物中分离得到海洋放线菌,以水霉为靶菌,通过平板对峙法在PDA平板上筛选出对水霉有拮抗作用的菌株;利用其发酵液对水霉菌丝和孢子进行初步拮抗效果研究;通过16S rRNA基因序列分析对目标菌株的种属进行初步鉴定。【结果】从分离到的数十株海洋放线菌中筛选到5株水霉拮抗菌,其中拮抗效果最强的为S26菌株,16S rRNA基因序列分析结果显示其为链霉菌,并与紫色链霉菌具有较近的亲缘关系;S26马铃薯葡萄糖液体培养基发酵液在平板抑菌圈实验中,对水霉孢子萌发的抑菌圈直径达32.00 mm±0.81 mm,其5倍浓缩无菌发酵液对水霉菌丝的抑菌圈直径达39.75 mm±0.50 mm;5倍浓缩无菌发酵液抑菌活性的3.125%即能完全抑制水霉孢子的萌发;5倍浓缩液对温度具有较强耐受性,经100 °C高温30 min处理后平板抑菌圈直径为25.50 mm±0.58 mm;经不同pH值处理12 h后,pH 5.0–9.0之间仍保持较好的拮抗活性;在37 °C下蛋白酶处理2 h后实验组与对照组存在显著性差异,但平板抑菌圈直径仍可达33.25 mm以上,推测拮抗物质活性成分由多肽和非多肽类代谢物共同组成。【结论】海洋链霉菌株S26产生的活性物质对病原水霉真菌有较强的抑制作用,并对外界环境变化有较强的适应能力,因而在水霉病的生物防治中具有潜在的应用价值。研究结果同时也显示海洋链霉菌在水产病害生物防治应用领域有较好的发展前景和更广阔的挖掘空间。     

Antifungal activity of volatile compounds generated by essential oils against fungi commonly causing deterioration of bakery products

AIMS: To investigate the volatile fractions of 16 essential oils for activity against the more common fungi causing spoilage of bakery products, Eurotium amstelodami, E. herbariorum, E. repens, E. rubrum, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger and Penicillium corylophilum. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study applied 50 microl of pure essential oils in a sterilized filter paper, were carried out at pH 6 and at different water activity levels (0.80-0.90). First, a wheat flour based agar medium was used, where cinnamon leaf, clove, bay, lemongrass and thyme essential oils where found to totally inhibit all microorganisms tested. These five essential oils were then tested in sponge cake analogues, but the antifungal activity detected was much more limited. CONCLUSION: Five essential oils showed potential antifungal capacity against all species tested, over a wide range of water availability. Their activity, however, seems to be substrate-dependent. More research is needed to make them work in real bakery products, as in the preliminary study limited effectiveness was found. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The potential of the cinnamon leaf, clove, bay, lemongrass and thyme essential oils against species belonging to Eurotium, Aspergillus and Penicillium genus has been demonstrated.     

Comparison of volatile organic compounds from uninfested and Monochamus alternatus Hope infested Pinus massoniana Lamb.

Monochamus alternatus is a destructive stem‐boring herbivore of Pinus massoniana, and the principal vector of pine wood nematode. To investigate the impacts of boring by M. alternatus larvae on the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from their host trees, the VOCs from uninfested and M. alternatus larvae infested P. massoniana trees were observed using a gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer. We detected 12, 9, 18 and 14 volatile organic compounds from infested xylem, infested phloem, uninfested xylem and uninfested phloem, respectively. In P. massoniana xylem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced cyclosativene, and inhibited 4‐carene, humulene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene and γ‐terpinene. The relative amounts of camphene, copacamphene, longicyclene, longifolene, tricyclene and α‐longipinene were significantly increased, and the relative amounts of α‐pinene and β‐pinene were significantly decreased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. In P. massoniana phloem, the boring of M. alternatus larvae induced 2‐bornanone, copacamphene, longicyclene and α‐longipinene, and inhibited 2‐carene, 4‐carene, styrene, α‐phellandrene, β‐myrcene, β‐phellandrene, β‐pinene, γ‐terpinene and ο‐cymene. The relative amounts of camphene, caryophyllene and longifolene were significantly increased by the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae. The results indicate that the boring behaviors of M. alternatus larvae changed both the sorts and contents of the VOCs from P. massoniana trees.     

胁迫条件对一土生青霉菌总酚积累及其清除自由基能力的影响

旨在阐明胁迫条件对一土生青霉菌总酚积累及其抗氧化活性的影响。采用固体培养基培养青霉菌,以紫外线辐射、添加H2O2水溶液和降低培养基营养物质含量作为胁迫手段,检测受到胁迫后,菌体总酚的积累及酚类清除自由基的能力。菌丝体总酚含量以Folin-Ciocalteu法测定,自由基清除率以分光光度法测定。结果表明,在胁迫条件下,各实验组菌丝体的总酚含量较对照组均有显著提高,添加H2O2组的总酚含量最高达63.86mg/g,紫外线辐射组的总酚含量最高达58.4mg/g,营养胁迫组的总酚含量最高达43.19mg/g。各实验组酚类提取物对羟自由基的清除率最高,其中添加1mmol/LH2O2组为35.28%,紫外线辐射40s组为69.97%,75%营养胁迫组为50.83%。因此,胁迫条件可增加该青霉合成酚类化合物及提高其抵抗胁迫的能力。     

Biological control of anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) in yam by Streptomyces sp.MJM5763

Aim: To find a suitable biocontrol agent for yam anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Methods and Results: An actinobacterial strain, MJM5763, showing strong antifungal activity, multiple biocontrol and plant growth‐promoting traits was isolated from a yam cultivation field in Yeoju, South Korea. Based on morphological and physiological characteristics and analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence, strain MJM5763 was identified as a novel strain of Streptomyces and was designated as Streptomyces sp. MJM5763. Treatment with MJM5763 and the crude culture filtrate extract (CCFE) was effective in suppressing anthracnose in detached yam leaves in vitro and reduced incidence and severity of anthracnose in yam plants under greenhouse conditions. The CCFE treatment was the most effective of all the treatments and reduced the anthracnose severity by 85–88% and the incidence by 79–81%, 90 days after inoculation with the pathogen. CCFE treatment was also effective under field conditions and showed a reduction of 86 and 75% of anthracnose severity and incidence, respectively. Conclusion: Streptomyces sp. strain MJM5763 was effective in biocontrolling anthracnose in yam caused by C. gloeosporioides. Significance and Impact of the Study: Streptomyces sp. MJM5763 is a potential alternative to chemical fungicides for reducing yield losses to anthracnose in yam.     

Volatile organic compounds released by maize following herbivory or insect extract application and communication between plants

To protect themselves from herbivory, plants have evolved an arsenal of physical and chemical defences and release a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By releasing these VOCs, a signalling plant can both reduce herbivory, sometimes by more than 90%, and also warn neighbouring plants about an attack. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of herbivory and insect extract application on VOC release by damaged/treated and nearby undamaged/untreated maize plants. We confirmed that European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) larvae attack or larvae extract application induced maize VOC release. Greater amounts of (Z)‐3‐hexenal, (E)‐2‐hexenal, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, (E)‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, β‐myrcene, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate, 1‐hexyl acetate, (Z)‐ocimene, linalool, benzyl acetate, methyl salicylate, indole, methyl anthranilate, geranyl acetate, β‐caryophyllene, (E)‐β‐farnesene and (Z)‐3‐hexenal, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐ol, (Z)‐3‐hexen‐1‐yl acetate, (Z)‐ocimene, linalool, indole, methyl anthranilate, geranyl acetate, β‐caryophyllene and (E)‐β‐farnesene were released as a result of biotic stress after insect attack or insect extract application. The amounts of each VOC released were qualitatively and quantitatively distinct and dependent on time after biotic stress exposure. However, for all biotic stresses, significantly lower VOC induction was measured when leaves were damaged/treated for three days, as compared to seven days. Our work also demonstrated that undamaged/untreated neighbouring plants also release significant amounts of VOCs. This suggests that VOC emission by a damaged/treated plant stimulates VOC induction in nearby undamaged/untreated plants. However, the concentrations of all VOCs released by neighbouring undamaged/untreated maize plants were lower than those from damaged/treated plants and were negatively correlated with distance from a damaged/treated plant. Still, significant VOC induction occurred in undamaged/untreated plants even at 3 m distance from a damaged/infected plant. Our work suggests that maize plant protective defence responses (VOC emission) can be induced via application of European corn borer extracts.     

A bleaching herbicidal activity of methoxyhygromycin (MHM) produced by an actinomycete strain Streptomyces sp. 8E-12

AIMS: To screen bioherbicidal isolates and evaluate herbicidal activity of methoxyhygromycin (MHM) produced by Streptomyces sp. 8E-12. METHODS AND RESULTS: Streptomyces sp. 8E-12 with herbicidal activity was selected through seed germination bioassay. An active metabolite, MHM was isolated from culture broth by carbon absorption, butanol extraction, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and G-10 chromatography, and preparative HPLC. The metabolite was identified by electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS) and 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data analyses. In vivo herbicidal activity was examined against weeds and crops grown on pots. CONCLUSIONS: Streptomyces sp. 8E-12 produced a selective herbicidal metabolite which was identified as MHM. The metabolite showed stronger in vivo activity against monocotyledonous plants than dicotyledonous plants, and caused a bleaching (albino symptom) on some weeds including Digitaria sanguinalis and Echinochloa crus-galli. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results showed that Streptomyces sp. 8E-12 produced a bioherbicidal metabolite, MHM and can be developed as a biocontrol agent (BCA) for weed control.