Biocontrol potential of volatile organic compounds produced by Streptomyces corchorusii CG-G2 to strawberry anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Abstract

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is a fungal disease of strawberry fruit. Biocontrol strategies holds tremendous promise in alleviating fruit decay. Here, 30 actinomycetes were isolated from rhizosphere soil of Calotropis gigantea. A strain labeled with CG-G2 exhibited the strongest antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides and was assigned as Streptomyces corchorusii. Compared to strain CG-G2 extracts, the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) had a high antifungal activity against anthracnose. These volatiles effectively inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of C. gloeosporioides. The hyphal and conidial structure was severely destroyed. Metabolomics analysis revealed that VOCs inhibited C. gloeosporioides via inducing flavonoids metabolism contributing to antifungal activity. Three main antagonistic compounds in VOCs were identified as methyl 2-methyl butyrate, hexanenitrile and methyl 2-Ethyl hexanoate. Especially, methyl 2-methyl butyrate demonstrated a remarkable efficacy in inhibiting fruit decay and preserving fruit quality. Hence, S. corchorusii CG-G2 will be a potential biocontrol agent for controlling anthracnose on harvested fruits.