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Biological Control of Fungal Diseases
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Biological Control of Fungal Diseases

A special issue of Journal of Fungi (ISSN 2309-608X). This special issue belongs to the section "Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2024) | Viewed by 10804

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Alessandro Vitale

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Di3A), University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Interests: post-harvest diseases; biological control; fungal diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fungal diseases represent a serious threat for agricultural production and food security worldwide. They significantly decrease the quality and quantity of agricultural commodities, causing heavy economic losses.

According to current sustainability policies, there is a general tendency to reduce the usage of synthetic fungicides, whereas biocontrol-based approaches of phytopathogenic fungi are increasingly attracting researcher interest. In addition to providing an overview of the latest insights into the mode of actions, advantages and applications of biological control of fungi, this Special Issue will provide new findings about the use of (i) biological control agents (BCAs); (ii) bio-molecules, bio-inspired compounds, natural compounds and plant extracts; and (iii) eco-friendly techniques aimed at both achieving biological management and decreasing the impact of fungal diseases on crops, agro-ecosystems and human health. Thus, the main goal of this Special Issue is to encourage the development of innovative and sustainable biocontrol-based approaches for fungal disease management. Research, review and perspective articles as well as short communications are welcome.

Dr. Alessandro Vitale
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Fungi is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • post-harvest diseases
  • biological control
  • fungal diseases
  • diseases of tropical fruits

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 10125 KiB  
Article
Native and Non-Native Soil and Endophytic Trichoderma spp. from Semi-Arid Sisal Fields of Brazil Are Potential Biocontrol Agents for Sisal Bole Rot Disease
by Leonardo O. Barbosa, Tainá D. S. da Conceição, Adriana de O. Neves, Wélica Z. B. Rocha, Beatriz S. Damasceno, Paula L. C. Fonseca, Paulo R. Ribeiro, Luis M. R. Tome, Dener E. Bortolini, Fabiano M. Martins, Fábio T. Raya, Aristóteles Goes-Neto and Ana C. F. Soares
J. Fungi 2024, 10(12), 860; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10120860 - 11 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1093
Abstract
Sisal (Agave sisalana) bole rot caused by Aspergillus welwitschiae is the main phytosanitary problem affecting sisal in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The aim of this study was to evaluate Trichoderma spp. as biocontrol agents for sisal bole rot. Native and non-native [...] Read more.
Sisal (Agave sisalana) bole rot caused by Aspergillus welwitschiae is the main phytosanitary problem affecting sisal in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The aim of this study was to evaluate Trichoderma spp. as biocontrol agents for sisal bole rot. Native and non-native species, both soil inhabitants and endophytes, and isolated from different plant hosts were tested. Anatomical studies of the interaction among A. sisalana, Trichoderma spp., and A. welwitschiae were performed. T. cf. asperellum (isolate F12), an endophyte of sisal leaves; T. cf. asperellum (TCS83) from banana plant soil; T. lentiforme (TCS15) and T. harzianum (species complex) (TCS35 and TCS76) from sisal root soil; T. spirale (R62) and T. saturnisporum (R75), endophytes of sisal roots, were the most efficient isolates, with inhibition of A. welwitschiae mycelial growth by up to 70%, and inhibition of sporulation and spore germination by 99%. A reduction in disease incidence of 70 to 93% and in disease severity of 97% was achieved. T. lentiforme (TCS1), T. harzianum (species complex) (TCS35 and R72), and T. koningiopsis (R78) showed mycoparasitism. An increase in cell wall thickness of bole tissue colonized by these Trichoderma species indicated that induced plant defense responses occurred, preventing pathogen colonization, which should be further investigated. Native and non-native Trichoderma species can control sisal bole rot disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control of Fungal Diseases)
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15 pages, 1869 KiB  
Article
Trichoderma: Harzianum Clade in Soils from Central and South America
by Adnan Ismaiel, Prashant P. Jambhulkar, Parimal Sinha and Dilip K. Lakshman
J. Fungi 2024, 10(12), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10120813 - 23 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1195
Abstract
As environmental and health concerns increase, the trend toward sustainable agriculture is moving toward using biological agents. About 60% of all biological fungicides have Trichoderma species as the active ingredient, with T. harzianum as the most common species in these products. However, the [...] Read more.
As environmental and health concerns increase, the trend toward sustainable agriculture is moving toward using biological agents. About 60% of all biological fungicides have Trichoderma species as the active ingredient, with T. harzianum as the most common species in these products. However, the name T. harzianum has often been used incorrectly in culture collections, databases, and scientific literature due to the division of the Harzianum clade (HC) into more than 95 cryptic species, with only one being named T. harzianum. In this study, 49 strains previously identified as T. harzianum in three surveys of Trichoderma species from soils in South and Central America were re-identified using phylogenetic analyses based on tef1α, rpb2, and ITS sequences obtained from GenBank. These were combined with the HC species from two other studies, which were identified based on the current taxonomy. Based on the results of the five surveys of the total 148 strains in HC, 11 species were identified. T. afroharzianum, T. lentiforme, and T. endophyticum, followed by T. azevedoi and T. harzianum, were the dominant species of the HC in South and Central America. This is the first report to identify dominant Trichoderma species within the HC in South and Central American soil based on multiple studies. These results will be useful in selecting strains within the clade for the formulation of biocontrol and biofertilizer products on the continent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control of Fungal Diseases)
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25 pages, 19076 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Biocontrol Potential of Phanerochaete chrysosporium against Wheat Crown Rot
by Lei Liu, Yaqiong Jin, Huijuan Lian, Qianxi Yin and Hailei Wang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(9), 641; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10090641 - 7 Sep 2024
Viewed by 2037
Abstract
The worldwide occurrence of wheat crown rot, predominantly caused by the pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum, has a serious impact on wheat production. Numerous microorganisms have been employed as biocontrol agents, exhibiting effectiveness in addressing a wide array of plant pathogens through various pathways. [...] Read more.
The worldwide occurrence of wheat crown rot, predominantly caused by the pathogen Fusarium pseudograminearum, has a serious impact on wheat production. Numerous microorganisms have been employed as biocontrol agents, exhibiting effectiveness in addressing a wide array of plant pathogens through various pathways. The mycelium of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium effectively inhibits the growth of F. pseudograminearum by tightly attaching to it and forming specialized penetrating structures. This process leads to the release of intracellular inclusions and the eventual disintegration of pathogen cells. Furthermore, volatile organic compounds and fermentation products produced by P. chrysosporium exhibit antifungal properties. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and modalities of action will facilitate the advancement and implementation of this biocontrol fungus. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the mycoparasitic behavior of P. chrysosporium, transcriptome analyses were conducted to examine the interactions between P. chrysosporium and F. pseudograminearum at 36, 48, and 84 h. During mycoparasitism, the up-regulation of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding fungal cell-wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs), iron ion binding, and mycotoxins were mainly observed. Moreover, pot experiments revealed that P. chrysosporium not only promoted the growth and quality of wheat but also hindered the colonization of F. pseudograminearum in wheat seedlings. This led to a delay in the development of stem base rot, a reduction in disease severity and incidence, and the activation of the plant’s self-defense mechanisms. Our study provides important insights into the biocontrol mechanisms employed by P. chrysosporium against wheat crown rot caused by F. pseudograminearum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control of Fungal Diseases)
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15 pages, 8291 KiB  
Article
Trichoderma-Bioenriched Vermicompost Induces Defense Response and Promotes Plant Growth in Thai Rice Variety “Chor Khing”
by Prisana Wonglom, On-Uma Ruangwong, Wasin Poncheewin, Siwaret Arikit, Kanamon Riangwong and Anurag Sunpapao
J. Fungi 2024, 10(8), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10080582 - 16 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1388
Abstract
Vermicompost (VC) produced by African nightcrawler earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) is a natural fertilizer with a rich microbial community. Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1 is an effective antagonistic microorganism with multifaceted activity mechanisms. This research aimed to develop Trichoderma-bioenriched vermicompost (TBVC) to promote [...] Read more.
Vermicompost (VC) produced by African nightcrawler earthworms (Eudrilus eugeniae) is a natural fertilizer with a rich microbial community. Trichoderma asperelloides PSU-P1 is an effective antagonistic microorganism with multifaceted activity mechanisms. This research aimed to develop Trichoderma-bioenriched vermicompost (TBVC) to promote plant growth and induce the defense response in the Thai rice variety “Chor Khing”. T. asperelloides PSU-P1 was tested against Rhizoctonia solani, the pathogen of sheath blight disease, using a dual-culture assay. The results showed that T. asperelloides PSU-P1 effectively inhibited R. solani in vitro growth by 70.48%. The TBVC was prepared by adding a conidial suspension (108 conidia/mL) to vermicompost. The viability of Trichoderma persisted in the vermicompost for 6 months and ranged from 1.2 to 2.8 × 107 CFU/mL. Vermicompost water extracts significantly enhanced seed germination, root length, and shoot length compared to a control group (p < 0.05). Plants that received the TBVC displayed significantly longer shoot and root lengths and higher total chlorophyll content than control plants (p < 0.05). The TBVC induced defense response by increasing the enzyme activity of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in comparison with control plants. Rice grown in the TBVC had a significantly reduced incidence of sheath blight caused by R. solani in comparison with control rice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the fungal community of rice plants was analyzed via the high-throughput next-generation sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The fungal community in the TBVC had greater alpha diversity than the community in the VC. Phylum Ascomycota was dominant in both samples, and a heat map showed that Trichoderma was more prevalent in the TBVC than in the VC. Our results indicate that the enrichment of VC with Trichoderma increases growth, enhances the defense response, and reduces the incidence of sheath blight disease in the Thai rice variety “Chor Khing”. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control of Fungal Diseases)
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13 pages, 814 KiB  
Article
Control of Peach Leaf Curl with Foliar Applications of Plant Immunity Inducers and Insights in Elicitation of Defense Responses against Taphrina deformans
by Charikleia K. Kavroumatzi, Paschalina Matziarli, Michael Chatzidimopoulos, Anastasia Boutsika, Dimitrios I. Tsitsigiannis, Epaminondas Paplomatas and Antonios Zambounis
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050325 - 30 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2562
Abstract
Taphrina deformans is the causal agent of leaf curl, a serious peach disease which causes significant losses in peach production worldwide. Nowadays, in order to control plant diseases, it is necessary to adopt novel and low-cost alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides. These promising [...] Read more.
Taphrina deformans is the causal agent of leaf curl, a serious peach disease which causes significant losses in peach production worldwide. Nowadays, in order to control plant diseases, it is necessary to adopt novel and low-cost alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides. These promising strategies are targeted at eliciting host defense mechanisms via priming the host through the consecutive application of plant immunity inducers prior to pathogen challenge. In this study, we investigated whether chitosan or yeast cell wall extracts could provide enhanced tolerance against leaf curl in two-season field trials. Furthermore, we addressed the possible molecular mechanisms involved beyond the priming of immune responses by monitoring the induction of key defense-related genes. The efficacy of spraying treatments against peach leaf curl with both inducers was significantly higher compared to the untreated control, showing efficacy in reducing disease severity of up to 62.6% and 73.9% for chitosan and yeast cell wall extracts, respectively. The application of chitosan in combination with copper hydroxide was more efficient in reducing disease incidence and severity, showing efficacy values in the range of 79.5–93.18%. Peach plantlets were also spray-treated with immunity inducers three times prior to leaf inoculation with T. deformans blastospores in their yeast phase. The relative expression levels of nine key defense and priming genes, including those encoding members of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins and hub genes associated with hormone biosynthesis, were monitored by RT-qPCR across three days after inoculation (dai). The results indicate that pre-treatments with these plant immunity inducers activated the induction of genes involved in salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonate (JA) defense signaling pathways that may offer systemic resistance, coupled with the upregulation of genes conferring direct antimicrobial effects. Our experiments suggest that these two plant immunity inducers could constitute useful components towards the effective control of T. deformans in peach crops. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control of Fungal Diseases)
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14 pages, 2465 KiB  
Article
Ozone Application Suppressed the Blue Mold Development and Maintained the Main Active Ingredients Content of Postharvest Fresh Codonopsis pilosula during Storage
by Jiangyang Chen, Zhiguang Liu, Qili Liu, Dan Zhang, Huali Xue, Suqin Shang and Yang Bi
J. Fungi 2024, 10(3), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10030163 - 20 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1618
Abstract
Penicillium expansum is the predominant causal agent causing blue mold in postharvest fresh Codonopsis pilosula during storage. The pathogen reduces the yield and affects the quality of C. pilosula and even generates patulin, threatening human health. In this study, postharvest fresh, healthy C. [...] Read more.
Penicillium expansum is the predominant causal agent causing blue mold in postharvest fresh Codonopsis pilosula during storage. The pathogen reduces the yield and affects the quality of C. pilosula and even generates patulin, threatening human health. In this study, postharvest fresh, healthy C. pilosula was sprayed with P. expansum, and the control effect of ozone on postharvest diseases of C. pilosula was studied, and the effect of ozone on the contents in the main active ingredients of C. pilosula was compared; finally, the effect of ozone on reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism in C. pilosula was analyzed. The results showed that 2 mg L−1 ozone application significantly inhibited the occurrence of postharvest blue mold caused by P. expansum, reduced weight loss rate, controlled the accumulation of patulin and maintained the contents of the main active components in C. pilosula. The study will provide a theoretical basis for ozone treatment to control the occurrence of postharvest diseases of C. pilosula. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Control of Fungal Diseases)
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