Isolation and Characterization of Antifungal Metabolites from Pterocarpus santalinus against Fusarium graminearum Causing Fusarium Head Blight on Wheat

Abstract

Fusarium head bight (FHB) is a devastating disease on major cereal crops worldwide which causes primarily by Fusarium graminearum. Synthetic fungicides are generally used in conventional agriculture to control FHB. Their prolonged usage has led to environmental issues and human health problems. This has prompted interest in developing environmentally friendly biofungicides, including botanical fungicides. In this study, a total 100 plant extracts were tested for antifungal activity against F. graminearum. The crude extract of Pterocarpus santalinus heartwood showed the strongest antifungal activity and contained two antifungal metabolites which were identified as a-cedrol and widdrol by GC-MS analysis. a-Cedrol and widdrol isolated from P. santalinus heartwood extract had 31.25 mg/l and 125 mg/l of minimal inhibitory concentration against the spore germination of F. graminearum, and also showed broad spectrum antifungal activities against various plant pathogens. In addition, the wettable powder type formulation of heartwood extract of P. santalinus decreased FHB incidence in dose-dependent manner and suppressed the development of FHB with control values of 87.2% at 250-fold dilution, similar to that of chemical fungicide (92.6% at 2,000-fold dilution). This study suggests that the heartwood extract of P. santalinus could be used as an effective biofungicide for the control of FHB.

Functional Analysis of Genes Specifically Expressed during Aerial Hyphae Collapse as a Potential Signal for Perithecium Formation Induction in Fusarium graminearum

“…However, efforts to breed disease-resistant or mycotoxin-resistant crops and develop eco-friendly control agents are still in the early stages ( Baek et al, 2020 ; Goswami and Kistler, 2004 ). Despite its pathological significance, disease control for F. graminearum heavily relies on chemical agents ( Kim et al, 2017 ).…”

“…the early stages (Baek et al, 2020;Goswami and Kistler, 2004). Despite its pathological significance, disease control for F. graminearum heavily relies on chemical agents (Kim et al, 2017).…”