The endophyteVerticillium Vt305 protects cauliflower against Verticillium wilt

Abstract

Aims: To investigate the interaction between cauliflower and the isolate Verticillium Vt305, obtained from a field suppressive to Verticillium wilt of cauliflower, and to evaluate the ability of Verticillium Vt305 to control Verticillium wilt of cauliflower caused by V. longisporum. Methods and Results: Single and combined inoculations of Verticillium Vt305 and V. longisporum were performed on cauliflower seedlings. Symptom development was evaluated, and fungal colonization was measured in the roots, hypocotyl and stem with real-time PCR. No symptoms were observed after single inoculation of Verticillium Vt305, although it colonized the plant tissues. Pre-inoculation of Verticillium Vt305 reduced symptom development and colonization of plant tissues by V. longisporum. Conclusions: Verticillium Vt305 is an endophyte on cauliflower plants and showed effective biological control of V. longisporum in controlled conditions. Significance and Impact of the Study: This work can contribute to the development of a sustainable control measure of V. longisporum in Brassicaceae hosts, which is currently not available. Additionally, this study provides evidence for the different roles of Verticillium species present in the agro-ecosystem.

Desirable Traits of a Good Biocontrol Agent against Verticillium Wilt

“…V. isaacii Vt305, an isolate obtained from the suppressive cauliflower field, has shown to be able to reduce symptom development and colonization by V. longisporum of cauliflower (Tyvaert et al, 2014). The control was dependent on the applied dose of both the pathogen and the BCA.…”

“…The best protection is accomplished if the protective isolates are applied to the plants before challenge treatment with the pathogen. Also the concentrations of inoculum of both the pathogen and the beneficial organism are of importance for the level of control (Shittu et al, 2009; Tyvaert et al, 2014). Verticillium species have proven to expand their host range and the stability of the interaction between non-pathogenic and pathogenic isolates remains an open question (Shittu et al, 2009).…”

“…Moreover, within the different Verticillium species non-pathogenic isolates can be found that do not cause symptoms upon inoculation of host plants. Several of these non-pathogenic Verticillium isolates show biocontrol efficacy against Verticillium wilt (Matta and Garibaldi, 1977; Davis et al, 2000; Robinson et al, 2007; Qin et al, 2008; García et al, 2011; França et al, 2013; Zhu et al, 2013; Tyvaert et al, 2014). …”

Evaluation of the Biocontrol Potential of Purpureocillium lilacinum QLP12 against Verticillium dahliae in Eggplant

“…[7], nonpathogenic Verticillium spp. [8], nonpathogenic Fusarium oxysporum [9], and Bacillus spp. [10].…”

Kill or cure? The interaction between endophytic Paenibacillus and Serratia strains and the host plant is shaped by plant growth conditions

“…Recently root endophytes were suggested as promising biocontrol agents against Verticillium wilt in olives (Prieto et al 2009); they were able to induce resistance in the plant (Cabanás et al 2014). In addition, fungal endophytes were identified as promising antagonists (Tyvaert et al 2014). Because endophytes colonize the same microhabitat as Verticillium, they probably have substantial, currently under exploited potential to act as biocontrol agents (BCAs) against Verticillium spp.…”