Assessment of the Antifungal Activity of Non-pathogenic Potatoassociated Fungi toward Fusarium Species Causing Tuber Dry Rot Disease

Bio-suppression of Fusarium Wilt Disease in Potato Using Nonpathogenic Potato-associated Fungi

“…Thus, this study clearly demonstrated the ability of this group of nonpathogenic fungi to suppress the mycelial growth of targeted Fusarium species. These results are in accordance with our previous findings where these isolates were selected among 20 tested for their interesting antifungal potential against F. sambucinum and F. solani [34]. Several previous studies have indicated that diverse groups of microorganisms naturally colonizing plants may act as biocontrol agents and may be explored as interesting sources for secondary antifungal compounds [32,[41][42][43].…”

“…Ten nonpathogenic isolates, previously selected based on their capacity to lower Fusarium dry rot disease incited by F. sambucinum and F. solani [34], were assessed for their in vitro antifungal potential toward F. sambucinum, F. oxysporum and F. graminearum and their suppressive effects against Fusarium wilt severity caused by these species. These fungi, naturally occurring within healthy plants were reported to be more adapted to the ecological niche harboring targeted pathogens and exhibiting, thus, interesting activities in bioprotection of their hosts [39].…”

“…Spunta tubers inoculated with a mixed inoculum composed of Fusarium sambucinum and F. solani and treated with the different potato-associated isolates tested [34]. Hyphal interactions at the confrontation zone between the dual cultured fungi were observed under light microscope and all abnormal morphological alterations in pathogen mycelium, in comparison to the untreated control, were described.…”

“…They were selected among 20 isolates, tested in a previous study [34], based on their capacity to suppress Fusarium dry rot disease. They were stored at -20°C in a 20% glycerol solution and were grown on PDA at 25°C for one week before being used in the bioassays.…”

“…In a previous study [34], we have demonstrated the ability of 20 nonpathogenic isolates of potatoassociated fungi belonging to Aspergillus, Penicillium, Colletotrichum, and Trichoderma, to suppress Fusarium dry rot disease severity in potato incited by F. sambucinum and F. solani.…”