Insight into the Microbiological Control Strategies against Botrytis cinerea Using Systemic Plant Resistance Activation

Abstract

Botrytis cinerea is a polyphagous necrotrophic fungus and is the causal agent of grey mold diseases in more than 1400 different hosts. This fungus causes serious economic losses in both preharvest and post-harvest—mainly in grape, strawberry, and tomato crops—and is the second most important pathogen worldwide, to our knowledge. Beneficial bacteria and fungi are efficient biocontrol agents against B. cinerea through direct mechanisms, such as parasitism, antibiosis, and competition, but also indirectly through the activation of systemic plant resistance. The interaction between plants and these microorganisms can lead to the development of defensive responses in distant plant organs, which are highly effective against foliar, flower, and fruit pathogens, such as B. cinerea. This review aimed to explore the systemic plant defense responses against B. cinerea by compiling all cases reported (to the best of our knowledge) on the use of beneficial bacteria and fungi for agriculture, a subject not yet specifically addressed.

Genomic Analysis and Secondary Metabolites Production of the Endophytic Bacillus velezensis Bvel1: A Biocontrol Agent against Botrytis cinerea Causing Bunch Rot in Post-Harvest Table Grapes

“…Biological control agents such as Bacillus sp. and their metabolites have received a lot of attention as complementary or alternative methods to the use of conventional chemical fungicides [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In this study, we showed that the endophytic Bacillus velezensis Bvel1 can be used to control grey mold caused by B. cinerea .…”

“…Botrytis bunch rot (grey mold) caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea is a major disease of grapevines. Infection of ripening berries leads to large losses in the quantity and quality of both table and wine grapes, either in the field or under post-harvest storage conditions [ 1 ].…”

“…Although grey mold control has been mainly achieved using synthetic fungicides, public concerns regarding their adverse effects on the environment and human health have prompted the search for alternative disease control methodologies [ 1 ]. Among several scientific approaches, a promising alternative for grey mold management is the use of microorganisms (e.g., Trichoderma spp., Bacillus spp., Candida spp., and Aureobasidium pullulans ) as biological control agents (BCAs) [ 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”

The Role of Yeasts as Biocontrol Agents for Pathogenic Fungi on Postharvest Grapes: A Review

“…Moreover, several pathogens and consequently new yeast species with the potential to be used as BCAs have recently been discovered and citations about their roles are reported here. However, this review was inspired by the scarcity of information related to the biocontrol activity of yeasts against Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Botrytis cinerea species—i.e., the three main causes of postharvest grape diseases [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Finally, the present work analyzes the relevant mechanisms underlying the antagonistic action of yeasts on the above-mentioned molds and presents a comprehensive table with reference material for a rapid and direct comparison.…”

The Use of Interactions Between Microorganisms in Strawberry Cultivation (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

“…It has been shown that the fungi Aureobasidium pullulans , Diaporthe sp., and Nigrospora oryzae inhibits the development of C. acutatum ( Landum et al, 2016 ). Useful fungi and bacteria limit the growth and development of pathogens by activating antagonistic mechanisms such as parasitism, antibiotics, and competition ( Poveda et al, 2020 ).…”