Endophytic fungi as biocontrol agents of Theobroma cacao pathogens

Mejía, Luis C.; Rojas, Ernesto; Maynard, Zuleyka; Bael, Sunshine Van; Arnold, A. Elizabeth; Hebbar, Prakash K.; Samuels, Gary J.; Robbins, Nancy; Herre, Edward Allen

doi:10.1016/j.biocontrol.2008.01.012

Cited by 369 publications

(247 citation statements)

References 39 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

223

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…These fungi are closely associated with platanus crops, which are commonly used in Colombia to shade cocoa plantation, and therefore are horizontally transmitted, i.e., through the environment (7, 16). Inhibition tests revealed that the most common mechanism employed by B. quercum against most phytopathogens is competition for substrate, coinciding with previous reports by Mejía et al (12), who compared the inhibitory action of different endophytic morphospecies on primary phytopathogens of cocoa. These fungi are known to produce secondary metabolites (alkaloids) plus phenolic compounds and ligninolytic enzymes that reduce the growth of phytopathogens.…”

Section: Biocontrol Assaysupporting

confidence: 89%

Symbiotic and endophytic fungi as biocontrols against cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) phytopathogens

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tropical tree, seriously affected by fungal diseases. To control several pathogens, biological methods are prescribed since they are friendly to the environment and easy to use. The main objective of this study was to assess the biocontrol effect of two native strains, Trichoderma viride and Botryosphaeria quercum, on phytopathogens such as Phytophthora palmivora and Moniliophtora roreri, causal agents of black pod and frosty pod rot diseases, respectively. In addition, biocontrolers were faced on potential mycotoxigenic fungi such as Aspergills flavus and Fusarium solani, which are very common on cocoa. The Bio-Control Index (BCI) was calculated to determine the in vitro biocontrol effect against the biocontrole contra quatro fitopatógenos. Os resultados indicaram que o melhor agente de controle biológico de fitopatogenos era B. quercum, que mostra 82,3% de BCI e 80,7%, 63,3% e 59,7% para cad a um dos fitopatógenos testados, respectivamente. A competição por substrato foi a estratégia utilizada no controle biológico. As estirpes, provenientes do Departamento de Santander e Santander Norte apresentaram a maior inibição percentual média. Este estudo é um inicial para sobre o poten c ial endófito e antagonística de fungos, capazes de colonizar as especificamente bagas de cacau e solo. Assim, estas estirpes podem ser indicadas uma alternativa eficiente contra fitopatógenos de cacau importantes. Palavras-chave: Cacau, patógenos,cogumelos, biocontroleCocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) is a tropical American tree flowering all year long and bearing a fruit known as pod. Colombia is the ninth producer in the world and the third one in Latin America, after Brazil and Ecuador. Estimated projections indicate that by 2021 Colombia might produce 285,600 Mg cocoa, as cocoa tree plantations are expected to reach over 230,000 ha (11); however, 50% to 90% cocoa production is affected by fungal diseases (2,4). The most prevailing infections are frosty pod rot (caused by the fungus Moniliophthora roreri) and black pod (the etiological agent of which is Phytophthora sp.), both causing cocoa crop losses of up to 100% (15). In addition, there are secondary infections caused by phytopathogens like Aspergillus and Fusarium that attack opportunistically as cocoa deteriorates, thus accelerating pod degradation and leaving traces of mycotoxins (3).To reduce the effects of fungal phytopathogens, cocoa growers apply good cropping practices, sometimes combined with the use of fungicides. The first method is easy to apply but labor demanding and is only economically viable if the cocoa price in the market is high (8). In the case of fungicides, they certainly protect the plant

show abstract

Section: Biocontrol Assaysupporting

confidence: 89%

Symbiotic and endophytic fungi as biocontrols against cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) phytopathogens

2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Endophytic fungi, which can provide diverse beneficial effects to their host plants, including enhanced resistance to diverse (a)biotic stresses (Arnold 2007;Mejía et al 2008;Scheffer et al 2008;Rodríguez et al 2009b) may also represent an interesting approach for Verticillium wilts biocontrol. However, only a scarce number of studies using root endophytic fungi as BCA against V. dahliae have been performed (Matta and Garibaldi 1977;Narisawa et al 2002Narisawa et al , 2004.…”

Section: Use Of Beneficial Microorganisms and Microbial Antagonists Tmentioning

confidence: 99%

Verticillium wilt of olive: a case study to implement an integrated strategy to control a soil-borne pathogen

2010

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Olive (Olea europaea L.) is one of the first domesticated and cultivated tree species and has historical, social and economical relevance. However, its future as a strategic commodity in Mediterranean agriculture is threatened by diverse biotic (traditional and new/emerging pests and diseases) and abiotic (erosion, climate change) menaces. These problems could also be of relevance for new geographical areas where olive cultivation is not traditional but is increasingly spreading (i.e., South America, Australia, etc). One of the major constraints for olive cultivation is Verticillium wilt, a vascular disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. In this review we describe how Verticillium wilt of olive (VWO) has become a major problem for olive cultivation during the last two decades. Similar to other vascular diseases, VWO is difficult to manage and single control measure are mostly ineffective. Therefore, an integrated disease management strategy that fits modern sustainable agriculture criteria must be implemented. Multidisciplinary research efforts and advances to understand this pathosystem and to develop appropriate control measures are summarized. The main conclusion is that a holistic approach is the best strategy to effectively control VWO, integrating biological, chemical, physical, and cultural approaches.

show abstract

“…Mechanisms of inhibition of pathogen infection and proliferation within a host can be direct (via antibiosis, competition for substrate and mycoparasitism), or indirect via inducing resistance responses intrinsic to the host (Mejia et al, 2008) and as some endophytic organisms seem to be able to control pathogens with such mechanisms, they could be used in bio control of plant diseases.…”

Section: June 2015mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of endophytic fungi on plant growth and blast disease incidence of two traditional rice varieties

Atugala¹,

Deshappriya²

2015

J. Natn. Sci. Foundation Sri Lanka

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Traditional rice varieties, although low producers of yield, are more amenable to organic farming practices that cause less damage to the environment and human health. Improved growth and reduced disease incidence would produce higher yields, and endophytic fungi have proven to be effective in achieving these ends in wheat. With this in view, endophytic fungal assemblages of two traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka i.e. Suwandel and Kaluheenati were evaluated for their effect on the growth and disease incidence of rice plants, because the endophytic mycoflora of these two traditional rice varieties and their effects have not been studied before. The most common and the highest occurring endophytes of both rice varieties i.e. Absidia and Cylindrocladium were tested to determine their effect on rice plant growth and the results showed that the plants inoculated with both fungal isolates showed significant increases (p ≤ 0.05) in plant height, fresh weight and dry weight. Twenty two endophytic fungal isolates common to both rice varieties were screened using dual culture assay for their ability to control the mycelial growth of Magnaporthe grisea, the causative agent of rice blast disease. All tested endophytes controlled pathogen growth by coiling the hyphae around the pathogen and forming clamps and loops. However, Absidia and Acremonium showed the highest growth inhibition of the pathogen (100 %) and showed an abundance of the above inhibitory structures. The effect of crude culture filtrates of thirteen endophytic fungi tested using the diffusion plate method indicated antagonistic activity against the rice pathogen. In planta tests were carried out to assess the effect of three endophytic fungi i.e. Acremonium, Absidia and Penicillium on infection by M. grisea. Disease symptoms were observed only on the leaves of the rice plants grown from Penicillium inoculated seedlings and on plants used as controls sprayed with a 1×10 7 spores/mL suspension of the pathogen. Pre-inoculation with Acremonium and Absidia were effective in preventing infection by the blast fungus. No disease symptoms were observed in plants pre-inoculated with endophytes and in plants used as controls sprayed with a 1×10 5 spores/mL suspension of the pathogen. Twenty one endophytic fungi common to both rice varieties were assessed by the culture plate method in this study.

show abstract

Endophytic fungi as biocontrol agents of Theobroma cacao pathogens

Cited by 369 publications

References 39 publications

Symbiotic and endophytic fungi as biocontrols against cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) phytopathogens

Symbiotic and endophytic fungi as biocontrols against cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) phytopathogens

Verticillium wilt of olive: a case study to implement an integrated strategy to control a soil-borne pathogen

Effect of endophytic fungi on plant growth and blast disease incidence of two traditional rice varieties

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About