Biofumigation activities of volatile compounds from two Trichoderma afroharzianum strains against Fusarium infections in fresh chilies

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Two Fusarium fungi, F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum, have been recognized as major pathogenic fungi that cause postharvest decay of chili fruits. Ozone and some toxic chemicals are used to control pathogenic infections, leading to longer storage lives of agricultural commodities. However, these chemicals may pose some risks to the applicators and the environment. Therefore, alternative, easy-to-use fumigants for effective control of Fusarium infections in harvested fresh chilies are needed. RESULTS: Two endophytic fungi, Trichoderma afroharzianum strain MFLUCC19-0090 and T. afroharzianum strain MFLUCC19-0091, were isolated from Schefflera leucantha leaves. Their volatile compounds were investigated for antifungal activities against F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum. In vitro results showed that the volatile compounds produced by each strain inhibited pathogen growth. Additionally, the Trichoderma-derived volatile compounds significantly reduced Fusarium-related disease severity and incidence percentages in the inoculated fresh chilies. Antifungal properties of the volatile compounds were found to be specific to the species of the tested pathogens (MFLUCC19-0090 greatly suppressed F. oxysporum and MFLUCC19-0091 greatly suppressed F. proliferatum). Seventy-three volatile compounds were detected from both strains. Among the major volatile compounds detected, phenyl ethyl alcohol was found to possess the strongest antifungal activity against both pathogens. CONCLUSION: These Trichoderma-derived volatile compounds may be used as alternative fumigants for controlling Fusarium rot in harvested fresh chilies. The successful use of volatile compounds as biofumigants can prevent significant market losses and, more importantly, may reduce the health hazards caused by Fusarium-associated mycotoxin exposures among consumers.

Evaluation of Chili Germplasm against Leaf Spot and its Management by Nutrients and Fungicides

“…Preventing plant diseases with resistant cultivars is the most suitable, practical, competitive, and cost-effective strategy (Ashfaq et al, 2014;Aslam et al, 2017). The use of resistant cultivars not only provides disease resistance but also saves time, attention, and money compared to other disease control methods (Thakur et al, 2018;Garibaldi et al, 2019;Amrao et al, 2021;Khruengsai et al, 2021;Moya-Elizondo et al, 2021;Sarkar et al, 2021;Kumar et al, 2022). The decline in chili production and the deterioration of fruit quality have heightened the necessity for a long-term strategy to stop the disease's spread (Geddes-McAlister and Shapiro, 2019;Pickel et al, 2020;Bibi et al, 2023;Mukhtar et al, 2023;Shahbaz et al, 2023).…”

Risk assessment and molecular mechanism of Fusarium incarnatum resistance to phenamacril

“…At present, agronomic measures are mainly used for fruit rot diseases, 38 some biological control methods have also been reported. 39,40 However, there are still few researches on the chemical control of fruit rot caused by F. incarnatum. In this study, we carried out systematic investigations of the chemical control of CFR.…”

Novel Approaches for Sustainable Horticultural Crop Production: Advances and Prospects

“…Endophytes have a positive influence on the postharvest physiology and resistance to diseases of different fruits and vegetables. This results in extended marketing life while maintaining food products' nutritional values and quality (recently reviewed [32,211]), in fresh apple [212], tomato [213], grape berries [30], pear [214], strawberry [215], and other fruits and vegetables [216][217][218][219][220][221][222][223][224][225][226] (Table 2). [61,83] For example, endophytes have been demonstrated to be able to prevent the growth of postharvest gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea.…”