Understand the Potential Role of Aureobasidium pullulans, a Resident Microorganism From Grapevine, to Prevent the Infection Caused by Diplodia seriata

Abstract

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are one of the major concern amongst grapevine diseases, responsible for the decline of vineyards and for several economical losses. Since grapevine is naturally colonized by resident microorganisms such as Aureobasidium pullulans, the present challenge is to understand their biocontrol potential and how such microorganisms can be successfully integrated in the control of GTDs. In this context, the first priority consists to exploit the plant-beneficial-phytopathogen interactions in plant model systems, to identify the most prevalent equilibrium limiting expression of GTDs. In the current study, we deep characterized the interaction of a resident and abundant microorganism from grapevine – Aureobasidium pullulans strain Fito_F278 – against D. seriata F98.1, a Botryosphaeria dieback agent, and with plant (cv Chardonnay). Results revealed that A. pullulans strain Fito_F278 was able to reduce significantly the mycelium growth of D. seriata F98.1 at 33.41 ± 0.55%, under in vitro conditions, though this reduction is possibly dependent on a direct interaction between strain Fito_F278 and pathogen. Furthermore, strain Fito_F278 was able to promote an induction of some plant defense responses in cutting plants, 1 week after the D. seriata F98.1 infection. Results evidenced that strain Fito_F278 colonized efficiently grapevine at both epiphyte and endophyte level, could persist on plant roots for long-periods (up to 2 months after its inoculation) and grow at different pH and high salinity conditions. Moreover, a significant decrease of the microbial load from soil and rhizosphere was observed in plants treated with the strain Fito_F278, suggesting its competitivity potential in a microbial ecosystem. Altogether, the present study gives the first insights about the interaction of A. pullulans strain Fito_F278, a resident microorganism, with grapevine, its potential role against a Botryosphaeria dieback agent, and highlights its importance to toward more resilient grapevine.

Isolation, molecular characterization and virome analysis of culturable wood fungal endophytes in esca symptomatic and asymptomatic grapevine plants

“…In details, Pinto et al . () demonstrated that A. pullulans enhances several plant defence responses (e.g. detossification, glucanases and stress tolerance proteins) in presence of Diplodia seriata , a well‐known grapevine wood pathogen.…”

“…Its ability to control fungal diseases has been explored for many years but only in a recent report, it was suggested as a good candidate for controlling GTPs. In details, Pinto et al (2018) demonstrated that A. pullulans enhances several plant defence responses (e.g. detossification, glucanases and stress tolerance proteins) in presence of Diplodia seriata, a well-known grapevine wood pathogen.…”

Fungicides and the Grapevine Wood Mycobiome: A Case Study on Tracheomycotic Ascomycete Phaeomoniella chlamydospora Reveals Potential for Two Novel Control Strategies

“…In order to assess the effect of fungicides on the early colonization success by wood endophytes, we selected four non-pathogenic fungi that are frequently found in grapevine wood and that are believed to hold potential in the biological control of wood pathogens (Pancher et al, 2012; Mondello et al, 2017; Jayawardena et al, 2018; Pinto et al, 2018). The choice of using a consortium instead of single fungus springs from the two following ideas:…”

Metatranscriptomic approach for microbiome characterization and host gene expression evaluation for “Hoja de malvón” disease in Vitis vinifera cv. Malbec

“…3). [35]. In the present work, A. pullulans was less represented (< 0.001), but A. namibiae and A. subglaciale were found in levels above 0.001, therefore could be further evaluated for the capacity to control GTD.…”