DOI: https://doi.org/10.5513/JCEA01/25.4.4185
Original scientific paper
Antifungal effect of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana on the phytopathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea
2024, 25 (4) p. 1005-1013
Katarina Martinko, Anton Mihovilović
Abstract
The use of antagonistic microorganisms in the suppression of phytopathogenic fungi represents the ultimate approach to biological control, and because of their significant beneficial effects, antagonistic microorganisms are increasingly being researched. The necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea known as the causative agent of gray mold, leads to significant global yield and post-harvest storage losses. It is a polyphagous of high risk for fungicide resistance development, which is why the use of antagonistic microorganisms a promising biocontrol strategy. Among the antagonistic microorganisms, the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana is considered to have antagonistic properties in controlling phytopathogenic fungi due to the wide range of secondary metabolites. In order to maximize the antagonistic fungi effectiveness in field conditions, special attention paid to researching the antagonistic mechanisms under optimal conditions for their development. The aim of this study is testing antifungal effect of B. bassiana on pathogen B. cinerea by dual cultures method and testing a production of volatile metabolites on a substrate with two different pH values (pH= 5.6 and 7.2). The results of dual culture method and testing a production of volatile metabolites confirmed that the antagonistic effect of B. bassiana is significantly higher on a neutral pH substrate, where the inhibition of the B. cinerea was 36%, i.e. 38% which was achieved by different antagonistic mechanisms. Microscopic analysis confirmed inhibition mechanisms (mycoparasitism and antibiosis), more significant on a neutral pH substrate by B. bassiana, and B. cinerea microstructures deformations. B. bassiana isolate has a significant antagonistic potential in suppressing B. cinerea, which is the starting point for further research in vivo.
Keywords
antagonism, antibiosis, Beauveria bassiana, Botrytis cinerea, mycoparasitism, inhibition
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