Biocontrol ability of Arcopilus aureus YZXR against Fusarium fujikuroi causing leaf spot on Polygonatum odoratum

Abstract

Arcopilus aureus is a plant-beneficial fungal species showing remarkable biocontrol capabilities. We investigated the antifungal activity of A. aureus YZXR strain and found that it strongly suppressed Polygonatum odoratum leaf spot disease caused by Fusarium fujikuroi. However, the antifungal substances and antifungal mechanisms remain unknown. To identify the antifungal substances, we extracted the fermentation liquid with ethyl acetate and found that the antifungal activity was mainly in the organic phase. Using column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLC, and GC–MS assays, we analyzed the compounds in the ethyl acetate phase and identified phenylethyl alcohol and 3,5-dihydroxytoluene as two compounds showing antifungal activity. The phenylethyl alcohol completely inhibited the growth of F. fujikuroi at a concentration of 0.25% (v/v), whereas the inhibition rate of 10.00 mg/mL 3,5-dihydroxytoluene on fungal growth was 80.60%. The fermentation broth of strain YZXR efficiently inhibited mycelial growth and conidiation of F. fujikuroi. Thus, this study uncovered the antifungal metabolites of A. aureus and the potential of A. aureus as a biological fungicide for managing P. odoratum leaf spot disease, providing a foundation for further research on its biocontrol mechanisms and field applications.