Several possible biocontrol mechanisms have been suggested as being effective against post‐harvest fruit spoilage. These include competition (for nutrients and space), antibiosis, parasitism, induction of resistance in the host tissue and production of volatile metabolites. Information on the mechanisms of action for most of the antagonists is still incomplete because of the lack of information on the complex interactions between the host, the pathogen, the antagonist and the other microorganisms present. However, a good understanding of the mechanism of action is essential before developing appropriate formulations and methods of application in order to obtain official approval. In this review information is provided about several mechanisms of biocontrol agents that could provide future biocontrol agents.

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The resistance phenotypes of nine potato cultivars to five isolates of Alternaria solani, causal agent of early blight, were studied after inoculation and growth under greenhouse conditions. We identified potato cultivars with both susceptible and resistant phenotypes as well as A. solani isolates with varying degrees of aggressiveness. Two potato cultivars and two pathogen isolates were selected for biochemical analysis of phenol production and peroxidase activity after inoculation. Phenol compounds were evaluated 2, 4, 6, and 8 days after inoculation, while peroxidase activities were monitored daily for 10 days. Native polyacrylamide electrophoresis was used to identify one protein with peroxidase activity in extracts taken 6 days after inoculation. Significantly higher peroxidase activity as well as total phenol content in potato was correlated with resistance in the Iranian potato cultivar Diamond. Variability of responses within the same cultivar to different isolates of A. solani suggests genotypic diversity between isolates that results in phenotypic diversity for pathogen aggressiveness.

The aim of this study was to verify that induced resistance was another mechanism through which Bacillus pumilus 7 km can suppress Gaeumannomyces graminis (Sacc.) Von Arx and Oliver var. tritici Walker (Ggt). Also, plant growth-promotion activity of B. pumilus 7 km and its effect on disease severity of take-all were evaluated. Soil was drenched with B. pumilus 7 km and disease severity, root and shoot fresh weights and root and shoot heights were evaluated. The activities of soluble peroxidase (SPOX), ionically cell wall-bound peroxidase (CWPOX), b-1,3-glucanase, b-1,4-glucanase and the contents of total phenolic compounds were also determined. The results indicated that disease severity in the bacterized roots was significantly less than the pathogen control roots. Also this isolate promoted root height, root and shoot fresh weights, compared with the healthy control plants. Wheat plants treated with B. pumilus 7 km showed increased presence of SPOX, CWPOX, b-1,3-glucanase, b-1,4-glucanase and phenolic compounds in bacterized roots challenged with the pathogen. In this treatment, maximum SPOX, b-1,3-glucanase and b-1,4-glucanase activities on day 4 and CWPOX activity on day 8 were recorded. Also, maximum total phenolic concentration on day 6 was recorded. The results suggest that the inhibitory effect of B. pumilus 7 km on the take-all may be related to its ability to enhance defense responses in the wheat roots.www.blackwell-synergy.com

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