Fungus Colletotrichum Research Articles

Bacillus sp. extract used to fabricate ZnO nanoparticles for their antagonist effect against phytopathogens.

In order to achieve the food demand of a growing population, agricultural productivity needs to be increased by employing safe strategies. In the present study we have evaluated ZnONPs that were synthesized from the culture supernatant of Bacillus subtilis. Bio mimetically synthesized ZnONPs showed a surface resonance peak of 355nm corresponding to NPs formation. Further, NPs were examined for their size, shape and element confirmation by DLS, AFM, SEM, TEM and EDAX, which confirmed the synthesized NPs were nearly spherical in size with average diameter of 32nm by TEM. Surface charge of + 34.3 mV was observed for NPs with a low poly-dispersity index of 0.21. In vitro efficacy studies against fungi Colletotrichum capsici, Sclerotium rolfsii, Alternaria solani and Fusarium oxysporumf. sp. cicero showed up to 99% mycelial growth inhibition at 0.125% ZnONPs. Further, in-vitro disk-diffusion assay showed inhibition zones of 23 ± 0.4mm and 12.67 ± 0.24mm forXanthomonasaxonopodis pv. punicae (Xap) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) bacterial cultures. Plant toxicity study was observed that ≤ 0.14% NPs concentration was safe under greenhouse conditions. Overall, the present study emphasizes the potential effect of ZnONPs against agricultural pathogens which play an important role in agriculture production.

Pectinolytic arsenal of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and other fungi with different lifestyles.

To identify and analyse genes that encode pectinases in the genome of the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, evaluate the expression of these genes, and compare putative pectinases found in C. lindemuthianum with pectinases produced by other fungi and oomycetes with different lifestyles. Genes encoding pectinases in the genome of C. lindemuthianum were identified and analysed. The expression of these genes was analysed. Pectinases from C. lindemuthianum were compared with pectinases from other fungi that have different lifestyles, and the pectinase activity in some of these fungi was quantified. Fifty-eight genes encoding pectinases were identified in C. lindemuthianum. At least six types of enzymes involved in pectin degradation were identified, with pectate lyases and polygalacturonases being the most abundant. Twenty-seven genes encoding pectinases were differentially expressed at some point in C. lindemuthianum during their interactions with their host. For each type of pectinase, there were at least three isoenzyme groups. The number of pectinases present in fungi with different lifestyles seemed to be related more to the lifestyle than to the taxonomic relationship between them. Only phytopathogenic fungi showed pectate lyase activity. The collective results demonstrate the pectinolytic arsenal of C. lindemuthianum, with many and diverse genes encoding pectinases more than that found in other phytopathogens, which suggests that at least part of these pectinases must be important for the pathogenicity of the fungus C. lindemuthianum. Knowledge of these pectinases could further the understanding of the importance of this broad pectinolytic arsenal in the common bean infection and could be exploited for biotechnological purposes.

Anthracnose Disease Control and Postharvest Quality of Hass Avocado Stored in Biobased PLA/PBAT/Pine Essential Oil/Chitosan Active Packaging Nets.

For sale in the domestic market, Hass avocados are kept in non-biodegradable plastic nets and stored at an ambient temperature. The fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides can cause important losses at this stage. Consequently, formulations based on polylactic acid (PLA)/poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) 60/40 biodegradable blends added with pine essential oil (PEO) at 10, 12, 14, and 20% and coated with 1% chitosan (CH) were used for the elaboration of nets, which were evaluated on C. gloeosporioides and Rhizopus stolonifer on nutrient media and fruit and on the ripening behavior of Hass avocados at ambient temperature. The spore germination stage of C. gloeosporioides was the most extensively damaged (78% inhibition). The incidence of anthracnose was notably reduced by almost 80% in the avocados stored in the 60/40 PLA/PBAT nets coated with 1% CH. The overall values regarding weight loss, °Brix, and dry matter were c.a. 23.5%, 7.5, and 24.5%, respectively. The changes in firmness, color, and CO2 production were particularly associated with the initial harvest index and storage temperature rather than with the nets. In future research, essays on nets should include evaluations at the commercial levels.

Identificación de especies de Collletotrichum aisladas de fruto de mango y su efecto de control por la aplicación de compuestos GRAS

The fungus Colletotrichum sp. is the causal agent of anthracnose in mango fruit and leads to substantial postharvest losses (>30 %). Efficient control agents continue to be investigated to reduce the incidence of this pathogen, preferably of a biological-organic nature. The objective of this work was to evaluate the in vitro application of commercial-grade generally recognized as safe (GRAS) compounds as chitosan, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, and peracetic acid, in the control of Colletotrichum species isolated from mango fruit. The application of commercial chitosan (1.5 % and 2.0 %) confirmed its antifungal effect, with an average inhibition of 34 %, no significant difference was shown with respect to reactive grade chitosan. Hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid, and peracetic acid completely inhibited the development of C. asianum at concentrations > 1.0 %. Each GRAS agent caused morphological damage to the spores, including loss of turgidity, intracellular disorder, effusion of liquid from the cytoplasm, and total loss of integrity. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed the damage to the mycelia, with collapsed and dehydrated structures due to exposure to the control agents. Overall, commercial GRAS agents showed an in vitro control effect on the growth of C. asianum at different stages of their development.

Hypovirulence of Colletotrichum gloesporioides Associated with dsRNA Mycovirus Isolated from a Mango Orchard in Thailand.

The pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides causes anthracnose disease, which is an important fungal disease affecting the production of numerous crops around the world. The presence of mycoviruses, however, may have an impact on the pathogenicity of the fungal host. Here, we describe a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) mycovirus, which was isolated from a field strain of C. gloeosporioides, Ssa-44.1. The 2939 bp genome sequence comprises two open reading frames (ORFs) that encode for a putative protein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The Ssa-44.1 mycovirus is a member of the unclassified mycovirus family named Colletotrichum gloeosporioides RNA virus 1 strain Ssa-44.1 (CgRV1-Ssa-44.1), which has a phylogenetic similarity to Colletotrichum gleosporioides RNA virus 1 (CgRV1), which was isolated from citrus leaves in China. In C. gloeosporioides, CgRV1-Ssa-44.1 was shown to be linked to hypovirulence. CgRV1-Ssa-44.1 has a low spore transfer efficiency but can successfully spread horizontally to isogenic virus-free isolates. Furthermore, CgRV1-Ssa-44.1 had a strong biological control impact on C. gloeosporioides on mango plants. This study is the first to describe a hypovirulence-associated mycovirus infecting C. gloeosporioides, which has the potential to assist with anthracnose disease biological management.

Colletofragarone A2 Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth In Vivo and Leads to the Degradation and Aggregation of Mutant p53.

Mutant p53 not only loses its original tumor suppressor function but also acquires new abilities regarding oncogenic progression. Therefore, the strategy of targeting mutant p53 has attracted attention for cancer therapy. We isolated colletofragarone A2 (CF) from the fungus Colletotrichum sp. (13S020), which decreases mutant p53 levels in cells, and herein examine its effect on mutant p53. CF showed more potent cytotoxic activities on cells with p53R175H structural mutants than those with different p53 statuses such as a DNA-contact mutant, wild-type, and null cells. CF markedly decreased tumor cell growth in vivo using a mouse xenograft model with HuCCT1 (p53R175H) cells. Cotreatment of SK-BR-3 (p53R175H) cells with CF and cycloheximide decreased mutant p53 levels by promoting p53 degradation. In the presence of MG-132, CF induced the accumulation of the aggregated mutant p53. These results suggest that CF inhibits the function of molecular chaperones such as HSP90.

Delineating meta-quantitative trait loci for anthracnose resistance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is one of the devastating disease affecting common bean production and productivity worldwide. Several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for anthracnose resistance have been identified. In order to make use of these QTLs in common bean breeding programs, a detailed meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis has been conducted. For the MQTL analysis, 92 QTLs related to anthracnose disease reported in 18 different earlier studies involving 16 mapping populations were compiled and projected on to the consensus map. This meta-analysis led to the identification of 11 MQTLs (each involving QTLs from at least two different studies) on 06 bean chromosomes and 10 QTL hotspots each involving multiple QTLs from an individual study on 07 chromosomes. The confidence interval (CI) of the identified MQTLs was found 3.51 times lower than the CI of initial QTLs. Marker-trait associations (MTAs) reported in published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were used to validate nine of the 11 identified MQTLs, with MQTL4.1 overlapping with as many as 40 MTAs. Functional annotation of the 11 MQTL regions revealed 1,251 genes including several R genes (such as those encoding for NBS-LRR domain-containing proteins, protein kinases, etc.) and other defense related genes. The MQTLs, QTL hotspots and the potential candidate genes identified during the present study will prove useful in common bean marker-assisted breeding programs and in basic studies involving fine mapping and cloning of genomic regions associated with anthracnose resistance in common beans.

Maize Anthracnose Stalk Rot in the Genomic Era.

Anthracnose stalk rot (ASR) of maize results in millions of dollars in losses annually in the United States. ASR, together with anthracnose leaf blight and anthracnose top dieback, is caused by the fungus Colletotrichum graminicola. Current ASR management recommendations emphasize host resistance and reduction of plant stressors (e.g., drought, heat, low fertility, or soil acidity). Stress reduction may be more difficult to achieve in the future due to more high-intensity production protocols and climate change. Moreover, cultural and chemical management practices may conflict with other important goals, including environmental sustainability and maximization of yield potential. Thus, future ASR management may rely more heavily on host resistance, for which there are relatively few highly effective sources. The last comprehensive review of C. graminicola and maize anthracnose was written over two decades ago. The genomic age has brought important new insights into mechanisms governing the host-pathogen interaction from the application of molecular and cytological technologies. This review provides a summary of our current model of maize anthracnose etiology, including how increased knowledge of molecular and cellular events could contribute to better ASR management. Improved understanding of C. graminicola taxonomy has confirmed that the fungus is specific to Zea mays, and that it colonizes living maize tissues via a critical biotrophic phase. Successful biotrophic establishment relies on an array of secreted protein effectors and secondary metabolites produced at different stages of infection and dispersed to multiple locations. These molecules could provide therapeutic targets for the next generation of transgenic or gene-edited ASR-resistant hybrids.

The Retromer Subunit CfVps29 Is Involved in the Growth, Development, and Pathogenicity of Colletotrichum fructicola.

Camellia oleifera is an edible oil tree species native to China. Anthracnose is a common disease of Ca. oleifera, which reduces the production of the trees and brings huge economic losses. We have previously identified the fungus Colletotrichum fructicola as the major pathogen of anthracnose in Ca. oleifera. The retromer complex participates in the intracellular retrograde transport of the cargos from the endosome to the trans-Golgi network in the eukaryotes. Vacuolar protein sorting 29 is a subunit of the retromer complex. Targeted CfVPS29 gene deletion revealed that CfVps29 is involved in growth, conidiation, and the response to cell wall stress. We further found that the ΔCfvps29 mutant was minimally pathogenic to Ca. oleifera leaves, as a result of its defect in appressorium formation. This study illustrated the crucial functions of CfVps29 in the development, cell wall stress response, and pathogenicity of C. fructicola and, therefore, identified it as a potential fungicide target for the control of anthracnose.

Selection of potential reference genes for RT-qPCR in the plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum fructicola.

Colletotrichum is widespread, and these pathogenic fungi can cause various plant diseases. Studies have shown that Colletotrichum fructicola cause oil-tea (Camellia oleifera) anthracnose and is widely distributed as a dominant fungus in all Ca. oleifera-producing regions. Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) is considered the most reliable technique for simultaneously measuring relative gene expression levels in different tissues. Target genes are typically quantified using RT-qPCR to explore gene function, and reliable RT-qPCR results require data normalization using stable reference genes. No studies have reported a suitable reference gene in C. fructicola. This study has eight candidate reference genes (CfCk, CfRpp, CfUce, CfRrp, CfAdrh, CfDd, CfAct, and CfTub) which were selected from C. fructicola-Ca. oleifera transcriptome data and evaluated and sequenced using geNorm, NormFinder, and BestKeeper algorithms. The results showed that CfRrp had better stability in C. fructicola, both during the growth of pure pathogenic fungi and during the invasion of different oil-tea leaves. After normalization with CfRrp, the differentially expressed target genes were similar to the transcriptome. Our work provides suitable reference genes for future studies to quantify target gene expression levels in C. fructicola.

Pengenalan pemanfaatan ekstrak Serai Wangi sebagai Pestisida Organik di Desa Bocek Karangploso Malang

Bocek Village, located in Karangploso District, Malang Regency, is one of the villages known for its chili production. However, the production of chili plants in this village is often affected by diseases caused by pests such as the fungus Colletotrichum spp., which will cause anthracnose (Patek) disease. This disease can cause defects in chili, reducing the quality of chili production. The farmers have handled the handling by using chemical pesticides, which are considered less effective and harm the environment. One solution that can be used is to use extracts from the citronella to be used as organic pesticides. This community service activity aims to introduce organic pesticides with citronella oil as raw material to the Tri Rejeki farmers group in Bocek Village. The socialization activity was carried out using the lecture method with the material covering the introduction of pesticides, the difference between chemical and organic pesticides, extraction of essential oils with a simple method, and the production process of organic pesticides with citronella oil. An evaluation of the participants was also carried out through a questionnaire given before and after the socialization. After the socialization was conducted, participants understood more about organic pesticides and how to produce them

Genome-Wide Transcriptomic Analysis of the Effects of Infection with the Hemibiotrophic Fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum on Common Bean.

Bean anthracnose caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum is one of the most important diseases of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in the world. In the present study, the whole transcriptome of common bean infected with C. lindemuthianum during compatible and incompatible interactions was characterized at 48 and 72 hpi, corresponding to the biotrophy phase of the infection cycle. Our results highlight the prominent role of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes from the PR10/Bet vI family as well as a complex interplay of different plant hormone pathways including Ethylene, Salicylic acid (SA) and Jasmonic acid pathways. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis reveals that infected common bean seedlings responded by down-regulation of photosynthesis, ubiquitination-mediated proteolysis and cell wall modifications. In infected common bean, SA biosynthesis seems to be based on the PAL pathway instead of the ICS pathway, contrarily to what is described in Arabidopsis. Interestingly, ~30 NLR were up-regulated in both contexts. Overall, our results suggest that the difference between the compatible and incompatible reaction is more a question of timing and strength, than a massive difference in differentially expressed genes between these two contexts. Finally, we used RT-qPCR to validate the expression patterns of several genes, and the results showed an excellent agreement with deep sequencing.

Curvicollide D, a new modified γ-lactone from the culture broth of Albifimbria verrucaria and its antifungal activity against plant pathogenic fungi.

In our screening program for new antifungal active compounds, a new modified γ-lactone curvicollide D (1) together with five known trichothecenes (2-6) were isolated from the culture filtrate of fungus Albifimbria verrucaria based on the in vitro antifungal assay. The chemical structure of new compound 1 was elucidated by NMR and HR-MS spectroscopic analyses, and the relative configurations of 1 were deduced from NOE experiments and coupling constant analysis. Compound 1 exhibited moderate antifungal activities against plant pathogenic fungi Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum coccodes, and Magnaporthe oryzae with MIC value in a range of 100-200 µg ml-1. Moreover, trichothecene compounds (2-6) displayed a broad spectrum of antifungal activities with MIC values in a range of 6.3-100 µg ml-1.

Pathogenic variability of the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum on dry bean in South Africa

Dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L) anthracnose is an economically important seed-borne fungal disease caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. The pathogenic variability of C. lindemuthianum was evaluated in a glasshouse study. A total of 32 isolates were collected in three provinces, namely KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North-West. The isolates were collected from different fields of dry bean at research stations and also from small-scale farmers’ fields. Inoculum developed from the different isolates was sprayed onto 12 CIAT differential dry bean cultivars that were used to identify pathogen races. The inoculation was carried out during the trifoliate developmental stage of the dry bean seedlings raised in pots 14 days post-sowing. Using the CIAT binomial system, eight pathogenic races of C. lindemuthianum were identified, namely, 3, 6, 7, 81, 83, 89, 263 and 323 out of the 32 isolates evaluated. Only pathogenic races 7, 81, 83 and 89 were found in the more humid locations of the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Races 7, 81 and 89 are internationally recognized and show characteristics reported of races in Brazil. Race 6 was identified in Mpumalanga and North west provinces and this was important as it has been reported in other Southern African countries. The races populations were distinct between locations as they infected both the Andean and the Meso-American bean landraces. The most important dry bean landraces were AB 136, G 2333, Kaboon, TU and PI 207262 as they showed complete resistance from the isolates. The study findings suggests that these six landraces can be successfully used to improve anthracnose resistance, especially G 2333 because of its horizontal resistance that can be used to improve the current cultivars used for the control of anthracnose in South Africa. Additionally, Cornell 49242 was one of the landraces of importance, as it showed glimpses of anthracnose that faded overtime under controlled suitable environmental conditions. Use of these landraces will ensure stability in the long-term control of dry bean anthracnose since the pathogen C. lindemuthianum is highly variable and widely distributed in South Africa. Key words: Anthracnose, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, dry bean, disease, pathogenic races, seed, differential cultivars, resistance

Mitochondrial prohibitin complex regulates fungal virulence via ATG24-assisted mitophagy

Prohibitins are highly conserved eukaryotic proteins in mitochondria that function in various cellular processes. The roles of prohibitins in fungal virulence and their regulatory mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we identified the prohibitins ChPhb1 and ChPhb2 in a plant pathogenic fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum and investigated their roles in the virulence of this anthracnose fungus attacking crucifers. We demonstrate that ChPhb1 and ChPhb2 are required for the proper functioning of mitochondria, mitophagy and virulence. ChPhb1 and ChPhb2 interact with the autophagy-related protein ChATG24 in mitochondria, and ChATG24 shares similar functions with these proteins in mitophagy and virulence, suggesting that ChATG24 is involved in prohibitin-dependent mitophagy. ChPhb1 and ChPhb2 modulate the translocation of ChATG24 into mitochondria during mitophagy. The role of ChATG24 in mitophagy is further confirmed to be conserved in plant pathogenic fungi. Our study presents that prohibitins regulate fungal virulence by mediating ATG24-assisted mitophagy.

Augmented growth of Cd-stressed rice seedlings with the application of phytostimulating, root-colonizing, Cd-tolerant, leaf-endophytic fungi Colletotrichum spp. isolated from Eupatorium triplinerve

The potential of plant growth-promoting endophytic fungi (PGPEF) in mycoremediation has received notable attention in recent years. Unlike other root-colonizing microorganisms, PGPEF colonization under Cadmium (Cd) stress is a less-revealed phenomenon. Among eighteen fungal isolates from the leaves of Eupatorium triplinerve, twelve were found as the species of Colletotrichum and remaining six belong to Fusarium based on phenotypic characterization. However, only two PGPEF isolates (ALE15 and ALE18) were finally selected based on possession of ACCD activity (~0.84 and 0.47 nM/µg protein/h, respectively) and higher Cd tolerance (1000 and 750 µg/mL, respectively). Moreover, the said isolates showed IAA production (~248 and 289 µg/mL), GA production (~86 and 88 AUs), phosphate solubilization (~165 and 256 µg/mL, respectively) under Cd stress. ALE18 strain was found to produce siderophore too. Molecular identification through sequencing of ITS region of both isolates confirmed their identity as species of Colletotrichum. Furthermore, FESEM-EDAX and AAS analyses supported their Cd bioaccumulation ability in mycelial cells that directly impacted to assist rice seedlings’ (IR-36 cultivar) growth under Cd stress. Successful root colonization was also observed through FESEM and fluorescence microscopic studies. Finally, the detached leaf experiment with six economically important crops assured their applicability on field-scale as non-pathogenic PGPEF candidates.

Potential parents of carioca bean for use in breeding aiming resistance to Colletotrichum lindemuthianum

AbstractCarioca common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most produced and consumed in Brazil. The production of carioca bean is affected by fungal diseases such as anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Most sources resistant to anthracnose, used in crosses by breeding programs are not derived from the commercial group or are poorly productive and less adapted. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize 40 carioca bean cultivars already recommended in Brazil for their reaction to C. lindemuthianum races 65, 73, 81, and 89. The cultivars and the resistant control, BRS Esplendor, were inoculated in a greenhouse with two different experiments for each race. Seedlings with fully expanded primary leaves were inoculated with a suspension of each pathogen race and assessed after 12 d. Among the 40 cultivars assessed, 12.5, 2.5, 12.5, and 15% resistant to one, two, three, and four races of C. lindemuthianum, respectively. The cultivars IAC Formoso, IAC‐Carioca Pyatã, IAC‐Apuã, VC 15, BRS Notável, and IPR Campos Gerais were resistant to the four races, constituting parental sources of resistance to the pathogen. In regions that favor the occurrence of anthracnose in common bean, cultivars with certain levels of resistance should be selected. Therefore, the important information obtained will be made available to growers and those offering technical assistance to growers.

<em>In vitro</em> studies on anti-diabetic, anti-bacterial and phytochemical activities of endophytic fungal extracts from <em>Salacia species</em>

In the current investigation, 474 endophytic fungi were isolated from 1200 plant parts of four species of Indian traditional medicinal plant Salacia collected in different seasons. Among them, Fusarium oxysporum, Penicillium notatum, Pestalotiopsis sps and Phoma sps were isolated as a dominant genus from S. chinensis, S. oblonga, S. fruticosa and S. macrosperma respectively. Most of the isolates have shown potential anti-diabetic activity through alpha-amylase inhibitor activity at different levels. Among them, metabolite extracted from endophytic fungi Colletotrichum species isolated from Salacia macrosperma resulted in significant inhibition exhibiting IC50 values of 106.11 μg/ml and 124.62 μg/ml against α-amylase and α-glucosidase respectively. Out of 68 isolates, five isolates have shown anti-bacterial activity against all the tested organisms through dual culture method. Overall, this study strongly suggests that extracts of isolated endophytic fungi from Salacia can be developed as a potent drug molecule in the view of their pharmaceutical importance.

Feeding Selectivity of Aphelenchoides besseyi and A. pseudogoodeyi on Fungi Associated with Florida Strawberry.

Aphelenchoides besseyi and A. pseudogoodeyi are foliar nematodes associated with commercial strawberry production in Florida, United States. The reproductive and feeding habits of these two nematode species were assessed on Florida isolates of the fungi Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Macrophomina phaseolina, and Neopestalotiopsis rosae, which are pathogenic to strawberry, and nonpathogenic isolates of Fusarium oxysporum and Monilinia fructicola grown on potato dextrose agar in Petri dishes. Each culture was inoculated with six specimens of mixed life stages of A. besseyi or A. pseudogoodeyi and incubated at 24°C under axenic and nonaxenic conditions 23 and 31 days after inoculation, respectively. A. besseyi reproduction rates were greater on strawberry-pathogenic isolates of B. cinerea, C. gloeosporioides, and N. rosae than on the nonpathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum and M. fructicola. In contrast, reproductive rates of A. pseudogoodeyi did not vary among fungi cultures. For both nematode species, M. phaseolina was a poor host because it did not produce mycelium on the media used. Our findings indicate that A. besseyi is more selective in its fungal-feeding preference than A. pseudogoodeyi. Additionally, A. pseudogoodeyi eggs and juveniles were significantly more numerous than adults. Yet, for A. besseyi, adult stages were more abundant. Fungi aid in the maintenance of soil-dwelling populations of these two nematode species. Removing fungus-infected strawberry plant residues is both a desirable and effective management practice to limit A. besseyi in central Florida commercial strawberry fields.

Control of Antracnose Disease in Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum) Using Endophytic Fungi

Anthracnose is a disease that affects tomato plants and causes farmers to lose money. The fungus Colletotrichum coccodes causes this disease, which manifests as small blackish spots on the tomato. The fruit then becomes shrivelled and dry, and it rots. One of the safest and most environmentally friendly methods of biological control is the use of endophytic fungi. These fungi are found in living plant tissue and can form colonies in the tissue without harming the host or causing disease symptoms. The goal of this study was to identify the different types of endophytic fungi found in tomatoes, as well as the role of endophytic fungi in the control of anthracnose disease. Plant samples were collected in Lempake Village in North Samarinda District, and antagonists between the endophytic fungi found in tomatoes and pathogens that cause anthracnose disease were tested. In the tomato plants, the researchers discovered four genera of endophytic fungi: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma sp., and Rhizopus sp. Antagonist tests revealed that Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Rhizopus sp. fungi suppressed pathogenic fungi that cause anthracnose disease by 33.17%, 36.43%, and 38.37%, respectively. The fungus Trichoderma sp. had the best ability to control anthracnose.
 Keywords: tomatoes, endophytic fungi, anthracnose, Colletotrichum coccodes Wallr. S. Hughes