Phloridzin promotes the growth of Fusarium moniliforme (Fusarium verticillioides)

Abstract

Apple replant disease (ARD) has been reported from all major fruit-growing regions of the world, and is often caused by biotic (pathogen fungi) and abiotic (phenolic compounds) factors. However, how phenolic compounds affect pathogen fungi is not yet fully understood. The aims of this study were to investigate whether the Fusarium moniliforme (F. moniliforme, a soil-borne pathogen of apple) could be labeled with fluorescent silicon carbide (SiC) quantum dots for a long-term tracing, and to observe the effect of phloridzin on the growth and conidia morphology of F. moniliforme with the help of fluorescence labeling with SiC quantum dots. The phloridzin was set to three concentrations (0mM, 0.5mM and 1.0mM). Results showed that F. moniliforme could be labeled with SiC quantum dots and that the fluorescence in the mycelium could be observed for at least 40days. The fluorescent images during the labeling process showed that F. moniliforme growth and division were slower when there was no phloridzin. The growth and division of F. moniliforme were fast with the help of phloridzin, and the growth and division were faster in the 1.0mM phloridzin than in the 0.5mM phloridzin. These results suggested that SiC quantum dots could successfully label F. moniliforme for a long-term tracing, and phloridzin could promote the growth and conidia division of F. moniliforme under the experimental concentration.