Exploring the Antifungal Activity of Moroccan Bacterial and Fungal Isolates and a Strobilurin Fungicide in the Control of Cladosporium fulvum, the Causal Agent of Tomato Leaf Mold Disease

Abstract

The causal agent of tomato leaf mold, Cladosporium fulvum, is prevalent in greenhouses worldwide, especially under high humidity conditions. Despite its economic impact, studies on antifungal agents targeting C. fulvum remain limited. This study evaluates biocontrol agents (BCAs) as alternatives to chemical controls for managing this disease, alongside the strobilurin fungicide azoxystrobin. From a Moroccan collection of potential BCAs, five bacterial isolates (Alcaligenes faecalis ACBC1, Pantoea agglomerans ACBC2, ACBP1, ACBP2, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SF14) and three fungal isolates (Trichoderma spp. OT1, AT2, and BT3) were selected and tested. The in vitro results demonstrated that P. agglomerans isolates reduced mycelial growth by over 60% at 12 days post-inoculation (dpi), while Trichoderma isolates achieved 100% inhibition in just 5 dpi. All bacterial isolates produced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with mycelial inhibition rates ranging from 38.8% to 57.4%. Likewise, bacterial cell-free filtrates significantly inhibited the pathogen’s mycelial growth. Greenhouse tests validated these findings, showing that all the tested isolates were effective in reducing disease incidence and severity. Azoxystrobin effectively impeded C. fulvum growth, particularly in protective treatments. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed significant biochemical changes in the treated plants, indicating fungal activity. This study provides valuable insights into the efficacy of these BCAs and azoxystrobin, contributing to integrated management strategies for tomato leaf mold disease.