Metschnikowia pulcherrima as a Biocontrol Agent against Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Pathogens

Abstract

An increasing trend in protecting plants against phytopathogens is the replacement of chemical pesticides with environmentally acceptable biopreparations. This article focuses on the possible use of yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima as a biocontrol agent against potato pathogens. The scope included an assessment of the antimicrobial activity of 10 M. pulcherrima isolates against 10 phytopathogens: Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium sambucinum, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria solani, Alternaria, tenuissima, Alternaria alternata, Colletotrichum coccodes, Phoma exigua, Pectobacterium carotovorum, and Streptomyces scabiei, by the agar-well diffusion method. Pulcherrimin formation, enzymatic profiles detected by the API ZYM system, and metabolite formation evaluated by HPLC analysis were conducted for the most active M. pulcherrima isolates. Leucine arylamidase, valine arylamidase, α- and β-glucosidase, and esterases were the most noteworthy in the pattern of activity. In turn, ethanol, glycerol, and organic acids (acetic, succinic, lactic acids) were determined in the largest quantities. The isolate M. pulcherrima TK1 was selected and cultured on supplemented acid whey. An in situ experiment was carried out on the seed potatoes, which showed a 30%–100% reduction in nine phytopathogens; only P. carotovorum was insensitive to yeast treatment. Therefore, M. pulcherrima TK1 was proposed as the potential biological solution for seed potato protection against phytopathogens.

The Use of Mycoendophyte-Based Bioformulations to Control Apple Diseases: Toward an Organic Apple Production System in the Aurès (Algeria)

“…Several mechanisms are involved in preventing plant diseases and conferring biocontrol activity to yeasts’ competition for nutrients and space, the secretion of toxins, enzymes, and volatile organic compounds, direct parasitisation, and induction of resistance [ 65 ]. More recently, an assessment of the antimicrobial activity of 10 M. pulcherrima isolates against 10 key potato phytopathogens by the agar-well diffusion method proved the efficiency of this yeast as a biocontrol agent, revealing biological activity attributed to the enzymes Leucine arylamidase, valine arylamidase, α- and β-glucosidase, and esterases [ 66 ]. The in situ experiment demonstrated a reduction by 30%–100% in nine phytopathogens on potato seeds [ 66 ].…”

“…More recently, an assessment of the antimicrobial activity of 10 M. pulcherrima isolates against 10 key potato phytopathogens by the agar-well diffusion method proved the efficiency of this yeast as a biocontrol agent, revealing biological activity attributed to the enzymes Leucine arylamidase, valine arylamidase, α- and β-glucosidase, and esterases [ 66 ]. The in situ experiment demonstrated a reduction by 30%–100% in nine phytopathogens on potato seeds [ 66 ]. Some yeasts belonging to the genus Metschnikowia were used as biological control agents, mainly against post-harvest diseases of stone and pome fruit, as for M. pulcherrima (Pitt and M.W.…”

Metabolite Formation by Fungal Pathogens of Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) in the Presence of Bioprotective Agents

“…Therefore, selected natural active ingredients of biopreparations based on microorganisms and plants may be a solution. Their high effectiveness in inhibiting mould growth was proven in earlier studies [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. There are no data, however, considering the effect of biopreparations on the formation of mycotoxins by moulds on potato tubers, as well as on the growth and physiological activity of potatoes.…”

“…This can be achieved through various biological approaches, e.g., the use of microorganisms and their metabolites, plant extracts, or combined methods with certain synthetic compounds [ 8 ]. In our previous research, we described the inhibition of phytopathogen growth using three biological control agents: lactic acid bacteria [ 17 ], yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima [ 18 ], and garlic water extract [ 19 ].…”

“…This nonenzymatic reaction removes iron, an essential element for pathogen growth [ 29 ]. The published data provide information about the antifungal activity of yeast M. pulcherrima against potato pathogens from the Fusarium , Alternaria , Rhizoctonia , Phoma , and Colletotrichum species [ 18 , 30 , 31 ]. The composition of the culture medium and the conditions for the cultivation of M. pulcherrima yeasts and selected lactic acid bacteria used as biopreservatives were developed in earlier studies conducted by Steglińska et al [ 17 , 18 , 32 , 33 ].…”