Search Results (228)

Postharvest fungal diseases are a major cause of fruit spoilage and economic losses, particularly in perishable commodities like strawberries. In this study, a plant-derived Weissella paramesenteroides strain R2 was isolated from the mango fruit surface and evaluated for its antifungal potential. Dual-culture assays revealed the strong inhibitory activity of strain R2 against key postharvest pathogens, including Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, and Fusarium oxysporum. Notably, cell-free fermentation broth exhibited no antifungal activity, whereas the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by R2 significantly suppressed fungal growth in sealed plate assays. GC-MS analysis identified 84 VOCs, with pyrazines as the dominant group. Three major compounds, 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and 2-furanmethanol, were validated for their antifungal activity. The application of R2 VOCs in strawberry preservation significantly reduced disease incidence and severity during storage. These findings highlight W. paramesenteroides R2 as a promising, food-safe biocontrol agent for postharvest disease management via VOC-mediated mechanisms. Full article

Fruit rot seriously damages pomelo production. Given concerns regarding the safety of chemical agents, biological alternatives are becoming more preferable. Therefore, the experiment aimed to (i) identify the pathogens causing pomelo fruit rot disease and (ii) select Trichoderma spp. strains controlling the determined pathogens in Ben Tre, Vietnam. Three pathogenic fungal strains isolated from diseased pomelo fruits were selected. The three pathogenic fungal strains were randomly injected into 9 healthy pomelo fruits. The strain PCP-B02-A2 led to a completely rotten fruit on day 17 after infection, while strains PCP-B02-B2 and PCP-B03-A1 had infected spots whose lengths were 17.5 and 28.1 mm, became larger, and eventually led to the whole fruit rot. The pathogens were identified by the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) technique as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides PCP-B02-A2, Pseudopestalotiopsis camelliae sinensis PCP-B03-A1, and P. chinensis PCP-B02-B2. Twenty-five Trichoderma spp. strains were isolated. The ITS technique identified four strains, including Trichoderma asperellum TP-B01, T. harzianum TP-B08, T. harzianum TP-B09, and T. asperellum TP-C25. The PCP-B02-A2 strain had antagonism at 66.7–68.7%, while those of PCP-B02-B2 and PCP-B03-A1 were 64.2–71.1% and 55.7–57.4%, respectively. Full article

Colletotrichum fructicola is a member of the gloeosporioides complex and can act as a pathogen, causing anthracnose in various plants and as an endophyte residing in healthy plants. As a plant pathogen, C. fructicola has been frequently reported to cause anthracnose in chili fruit and tea plants, bitter rot in apples and pears, crown rot in strawberries, and Glomerella leaf spot in apples, which are the most common diseases associated with this pathogen. Over the years, C. fructicola has been reported to infect a wide range of plants in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, including various types of fruit crops, ornamental and medicinal plants, tree nuts, peanuts, and weeds. Several reports have also been made regarding endophytic C. fructicola recovered from different plant parts. Endophytic C. fructicola has the ability to switch to a pathogenic state, which may contribute to the infection of host and other susceptible plants. Due to the economic importance of C. fructicola infections, the present review highlighted C. fructicola as a plant pathogen and endophyte, providing a summary of its infections in various plants and endophytic ability to inhabit plant tissues. Several control measures for managing C. fructicola infections have also been provided. Full article

Streptomyces vinaceus strain SVFJ-07 is a biocontrol bacterium employed to control anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in Chinese orchids. This study investigated the mechanism of strain SVFJ-07-induced stomatal immunity-related closure in preventing the infection of anthracnose disease. After the foliar application of strain SVFJ-07, we analyzed the differential patterns of stomatal opening in Chinese orchids and measured the hormone levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA). RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was utilized to examine the differential expression of genes involved in SA and ABA signal transduction and disease resistance genes, which were induced by strain SVFJ-07. The results demonstrated that strain SVFJ-07 inhibited the infection of pathogens by inducing stomatal closure. Compared with the control group, the foliar application of strain SVFJ-07 significantly reduced stomatal length, width, and aperture. Furthermore, orchid plants treated with strain SVFJ-07 and infected with C. gloeosporioides exhibited elevated levels of endogenous ABA and SA, indicating that strain SVFJ-07 enhanced stomatal immunity and disease resistance in these plants. The transcriptome analysis revealed the upregulation of genes associated with stomatal immunity, particularly those involved in plant–pathogen interactions, peroxisome metabolism, plant hormone signaling, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. These findings confirmed that the induction of SVFJ-07 promoted stomatal closure to resist the infection of C. gloeosporioides and induced complex transcriptome-wide changes. Further investigation of the differentially expressed genes enhanced our understanding of the resistance mechanisms induced by S. vinaceus strain SVFJ-07. Full article

Post-harvest decay of Carica papaya L. is the primary cause of deterioration in papaya quality and the low economic impact of this sector in Cameroon. Field surveys conducted by teams from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MINADER) in Cameroon have primarily associated these decays with fungal attacks. However, to date, no methodological analysis has been conducted on the identification of these fungal agents. To reduce post-harvest losses, rapid detection of diseases is crucial for the application of effective management strategies. This study sought to identify the fungal agents associated with post-harvest decay of papaya cv Sunrise solo in Cameroon and to determine their physiological and biochemical growth characteristics. Isolation and pathogenicity tests were performed according to Koch’s postulate. Molecular identification of isolates was achieved by amplification and sequencing of the ITS1 and ITS4 regions. Phylogenetic analysis was based on the substitution models corresponding to each fungal genus determined by jModeltest, according to the Akaike information criterion (AIC). Fungal explants of each identified species were subjected to variations in temperature, pH, water activity, and NaCl concentration. The ability to secrete hydrolytic enzymes was determined on specific media such as skimmed milk agar for protease, peptone agar for lipase, and carboxymethylcellulose for cellulase. These experiments allowed the identification of three fungi responsible for papaya fruit decay, namely Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium equiseti, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae. All three pathogens had maximum mycelial growth at a temperature of 25 ± 2 °C, pH 6.5, NaCl concentration of 100 µM, and water activity (aw) equal to 0.98. The three fungal agents demonstrated a strong potential for secreting cellulases, lipases, and proteases, which they use as lytic enzymes to degrade papaya tissues. The relative enzymatic activity varied depending on the fungal pathogen as well as the type of enzyme secreted. This study is the first report of F. equiseti as a causal agent of papaya fruit decay in Cameroon. Full article

Anthracnose significantly threatens the cultivation of Polygonatum cyrtonema, severely impacting its quality and yield. Between 2022 and 2023, 50 Colletotrichum isolates were obtained from diseased leaves collected in three P. cyrtonema production areas within the Two Lakes region of China (Hubei and Hunan provinces). Morphological and molecular analyses identified six Colletotrichum species as the causative agents of anthracnose: C. aenigma, C. siamense, C. gloeosporioides, C. spaethianum, C. fructicola, and C. karsti. Among these pathogens, C. fructicola and C. spaethianum were predominant (82%), while C. siamense and C. fructicola exhibited the highest aggressiveness. Physiological investigations revealed that the optimal temperature range for all six pathogens was 25–28 °C. C. spaethianum thrived under acidic conditions, whereas C. aenigma, C. siamense, and C. gloeosporioides preferred alkaline environments. In contrast, C. fructicola and C. karsti showed no significant response to pH variations. Fungicide screening demonstrated that pyraclostrobin, prochloraz, and carbendazim effectively inhibited the growth of Colletotrichum species. These findings elucidate the epidemiological factors, primary pathogens, and effective control agents for P. cyrtonema anthracnose in the Two Lakes region, providing a basis for developing targeted prevention and control strategies. Full article

The deterioration of the Carica papaya L. fruit caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides highlights the importance of postharvest packaging for extending papaya shelf life. To this end, in this present study, pectin/gelatin-based food packaging (FPC) was enriched with Azadirachta indica hydroethanolic extract (HNE), obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). The HNE showed a high concentration of phenolic compounds, with values of 2893 mg GAE/100 g extract (PLE) and 3136 mg GAE/100 g extract (MAE). The packaging thickness incorporated with HNE (FPC + HNE) did not significantly differ (FPC + HNE-PLE: 0.10 ± 0.01, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 0.16 ± 0.04) from the packaging control (FPC: 0.11 ± 0.00). Nevertheless, the FPC + HNE exhibited enhanced elongation (FPC + HNE-PLE: 10.33 ± 0.2%, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 9.50 ± 0.2%) compared to FPC (8.00 ± 0.0%). Variations in water vapor permeability (FPC: 5.2 g·mm/d·m²·kPa, FPC + HNE-PLE: 2.0 g·mm/d·m²·kPa, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 6.9 g·mm/d·m²·kPa) and tensile strength (FPC: 13.76 ± 0.79 MPa, FPC + HNE-PLE: 16.45 ± 2.25 MPa, and FPC + HNE-MAE: 9.24 ± 2.01 MPa) values were observed among all samples. FPC + HNE-PLE resulted in 0% deterioration by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides over 15 days. The antifungal FPC + HNE-PLE provides a promising way to reduce postharvest losses and extend the shelf life of papaya fruit. Full article

Anthracnose is a phytosanitary issue caused by various species of Colletotrichum. This study aims to revise the presence of Colletotrichum in the south of Mexico (the Soconusco area in Chiapas) and assess the inhibitory capacity of Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 against Colletotrichum in in vitro and field experiments. The study involved sampling pods with anthracnose from 17 sites in the Soconusco area, Chiapas, Mexico. The incidence of the disease ranged from 0.6 to 11.63%. A total of 142 isolates exhibiting the morphological characteristics of the Colletotrichum genus were obtained. Fifty selected isolates were identified using the ITS region and were classified as Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with 99% similarity. The concatenation of morphological and physiological characteristics resulted in nine main clusters. The in vitro test showed that Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 inhibited the fungal growth of selected strains by 30–50%. The field experiments included three commercial biocontrol agents, Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017, and a water control. The incidence of anthracnose (control with water) ranged from 32 to 65%, while the commercial biocontrol agents and Paenibacillus showed an incidence range of 12 to 20%. These findings support the use of Paenibacillus sp. NMA1017 as a biocontrol agent for cacao anthracnose. Full article

Persistent fungal pathogens remain a threat to global food security as these pathogens continue to infect crops despite different mitigating strategies. Traditionally, synthetic fungicides are used to combat these threats, but their environmental and health impacts have spurred interest in a more sustainable, eco-friendly approach. Endolichenic fungi (ELF) are a relatively underexplored group of microorganisms found thriving inside the lichen thalli. They are seen as promising alternatives for developing sustainable plant disease management strategies. Hence, in this study, a total of forty ELF isolates from two fruticose lichen hosts—Ramalina and Usnea, were tested and compared for their antagonistic activities against three economically important filamentous fungal pathogens—Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Fusarium oxysporum. The results of the dual culture assay showed that all ELF isolates successfully reduced the growth of the three filamentous fungal pathogens with varying degrees, and with direct contact inhibition as the predominant trait among the endolichenic fungi. Comparing the antagonistic activities between the different endolichenic fungi from the two lichen hosts, ELF isolates from Ramalina generally demonstrated a higher percentage inhibition of growth of the test fungi as compared to ELF isolates from Usnea. This study underscores the importance of endolichenic fungi as an efficient biocontrol agent. Full article

Converting pesticides into ionic liquids by designing counterions can modulate their physicochemical properties, thus improving their efficacy and environmental safety. In this study, eight prochloraz-based ionic liquids (PILs) were synthesized using natural organic acids, and their physicochemical properties, toxicity, antifungal activity, and efficacy in postharvest mango preservation were evaluated. The results showed that the physicochemical properties of propiconazole, including water solubility, logK_ow, surface activity, and light stability, could be adjusted by selecting counterions with varying structures. These properties were correlated with toxicity to zebrafish embryos and antifungal activity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Notably, except for the benzoate PIL, the photostability of the other seven PILs was enhanced under UV irradiation, with the cinnamate PIL exhibiting a half-life 2.28 times longer than prochloraz. Spectral analysis indicated that the anions influenced photostability by shielding or interacting with the cations. Furthermore, the three selected PILs improved pesticide deposition on the mango surface during preservation, and the salicylate PIL enhanced pesticide penetration into the fruit, potentially contributing to its therapeutic activity. In conclusion, the ionic liquid strategy offers an effective method to modify pesticide properties, improve photostability, reduce losses, and optimize pesticide formulation. Full article

Apple (Malus domestica) is an economically important fruit crop, but its production is affected by Glomerella leaf spot, a devastating disease caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. MicroRNA (miRNA) is a kind of non-coding RNA that plays an important role in the process of plant–pathogen interactions. However, little is known about the miRNAs that influence apple resistance against C. gloeosporioides. A novel miRNA, MIR396d-p3, was identified through small RNA sequencing (sRNA-seq). Functional analyses revealed that MIR396d-p3 negatively regulates apple resistance to C. gloeosporioides. In addition, MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 were confirmed as targets of MIR396d-p3 using 5′ RACE and heterologous expression assays. We further found that overexpressing MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 induce apple disease resistance to C. gloeosporioides, while silencing of MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3 reduces resistance to C. gloeosporioides. These results indicate that MIR396d-p3 plays a role in the response to the infection of C. gloeosporioides through regulating the expressions of MdUGT89A2 and MdRGA3. This research provides a new perspective on the interaction between apples and C. gloeosporioides and offers possible targets for resistance breeding. Full article

Poplar anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, significantly threatens global poplar cultivation, with rising temperatures further intensifying environmental stress on trees. As autotrophic organisms, plants rely on photosynthesis for growth and stress responses, making this process particularly vulnerable under combined stressors, such as heat and pathogen infection. This study investigates the dual-stress response mechanisms of the resistant poplar species Populus × canadensis through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Results show that C. gloeosporioides inoculation at ambient temperature conditions activates multiple defense-related pathways, including MAPK signaling and ferroptosis. High temperatures amplify these responses, leading to extensive alterations in gene expression, particularly in pathways related to the cell cycle, photosynthesis, and phytohormone signaling. The chlorophyll content, a key marker of photosynthetic efficiency, is significantly reduced under high temperatures, with dual stress causing the most pronounced declines in chlorophyll a and b and total chlorophyll levels. These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying poplar resilience to anthracnose and heat stress, offering a foundation for breeding climate-resilient and pathogen-resistant tree cultivars. Full article

Strawberry anthracnose is becoming more important from a scientific and economic standpoint. The Colletotrichum spp. pathogen complex includes C. fragariae, C. gloeosporioides and C. acutatum. The aim was to use microsatellite (SSR) markers to assess the genetic diversity of Colletotrichum species. We used seven SSR primer pairs previously developed for the C. acutatum (3) and C. gloeosporioides (4) species. To analyze the genetic diversity of C. fragariae, it was discovered that SSR primer pairs created for C. gloeosporioides were helpful. SSR molecular markers were used in this study for the first time to identify the species of C. fragariae. The average polymorphism information content (PIC) value across all SSR primer pairs was 0.72, making them all informative. The most informative SSR primers were CG22 and CG30, with PIC values of 0.83 and 0.82, respectively. We believe these primers are suitable for the genetic diversity analysis of C. fragariae species. Therefore, the SSR primer pairs CG20 and CG30 are suggested for the genetic investigation of C. acutatum and C. gloeosporioides. A higher incidence of Colletotrichum spp. polymorphism in Lithuania can be linked to adaptation to survival in our environment, according to this study’s findings on the number of alleles and the degree of genetic diversity, which are higher than the results reported in the literature. Full article

Coffee is a significant traded commodity for developing countries. Among the various diseases affecting coffee, anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum spp. has re-emerged as a major constraint on global coffee production. To better understand the Colletotrichum species complex associated with coffee anthracnose, we characterized Colletotrichum spp. using a combination of phenotypic traits, MAT1-2 (ApMat) gene analysis, multi-locus phylogenetic (ITS, ACT, CHS-1, and GAPDH), and pathogenicity assays. A total of 74 Colletotrichum isolates were collected from coffee plants exhibiting anthracnose symptoms across nine coffee plantations in China. Among these, 55 isolates were identified as the C. gloeosporioides species complex using the ApMat locus, while the remaining 19 isolates were identified through multi-locus phylogenetic analyses. The isolates represented seven Colletotrichum species from five species complexes: C. gloeosporioides (including C. siamense, C. nupharicola, and C. theobromicola), C. boninens (C. karstii), C. gigasporum (C. gigasporum), C. orchidearum (C. cliviicola), and C. magnum (C. brevisporum). This is the first report of C. nupharicola and C. cliviicola causing coffee anthracnose worldwide, and the first report of C. nupharicola in China. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that all seven species were capable of infecting coffee leaves. This research enhances our understanding of the Colletotrichum species responsible for coffee anthracnose, and provides valuable insights for developing effective disease management strategies. Full article

Botanical extracts are being considered for integration into disease management programs to control plant pathogenic fungi and oomycetes. A promising extract with potential is the essential oil of Lippia graveolens. However, its extraction process has not been optimized. Since optimizing process conditions can impact fungicidal and/or oomyceticidal effects, this research implemented time, temperature, and solid/liquid ratio conditions to maximize the fungicidal and oomyceticidal effects. The effectiveness was evaluated through parameters of mycelial growth inhibition, spore germination inhibition, minimum inhibitory and fungicidal/oomyceticidal concentration for the fungi Gilbertella persicaria, Agroathelia rolfsii, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, as well as the oomycete Phytophthora capsici. Optimal conditions were as follows: time: 46.27 min; temperature: 329.34 °C; and solid/liquid ratio: 80.35 g/L. In general, the optimized treatment was more effective in A. rolfsii ≥ P. capsica > G. persicaria ≥ C. gloeosporioides in all assays. These results demonstrate the fungicidal and oomiceticidal effects of L. graveolens essential oil, with potential for commercial product formulation. Full article