Phaseolina Research Articles

Severity of charcoal rot disease in soybean genotypes inoculated with Macrophomina phaseolina isolates differs among growth environments.

Charcoal rot of soybean caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Mp) is a major disease of economic significance around the world. The objective of this test is to evaluate and identify new method(s) that can identify resistant and susceptible genotypes when inoculated with the fungus that causes charcoal rot in non-field environments. Four independent experiments were performed to determine the variability in disease severity when soybean genotypes are inoculated with isolates up to a total of 100 different variants of the charcoal rot fungus in laboratory, greenhouse, and growth chamber tests. Linear mixed models were fit to AUDPC values from the four experiments and model predictions of disease progress were used to determine the best method to classify MR and S genotypes. In a growth chamber study using a modified cut-tip inoculation method, 28 of the 32 Mp isolates tested differentiated MR and S with > 87% accuracy. In a study where sixteen field-grown soybean genotypes were stem-wound inoculated with one Isolate; the MR genotypes were correctly classified but not all S genotypes. Correct classification of MR genotypes dramatically increased with plant age, approaching 100% correct at 120 days after planting. In a study of stem wound inoculation of field-grown soybean genotypes with twenty Mp isolates, MR were identified with more than half the isolates having >75% accuracy in detecting MR genotypes. In a study of greenhouse-grown soybeans stem wound-inoculated with 100 isolates, classification was less accurate than samples grown in the field, with median correct classification under 60% for MR genotypes. The severity of the same isolate tested across different studies was inconsistent: the relationship between 20 isolates in the field and greenhouse studies was modest, with a Spearman rank correlation of 0.39 (p=0.0006), and the rank correlations with the growth chamber study were weak. The results showed that, except for the growth chamber study, the non-field environments did not consistently identify the same soybean lines as being S or MR to charcoal rot as were identified as in naturally infested field testing due to differences in isolates, environment, soybean varieties and methods (or all the above). Stakeholders will benefit more from the use of the field assessment method in naturally infested soil to identify reliable sources of resistance than from the non-field methods.

Colonization of Strawberry Plants by Macrophomina phaseolina After Root or Crown Inoculations

Macrophomina phaseolina is an important pathogen causing charcoal rot on strawberry. The infection process of M. phaseolina on other hosts has been well documented, but this process has not been investigated on strawberry. The objective of this study was to determine if and where M. phaseolina can colonize strawberry plant tissues within one month of inoculation in the absence of charcoal rot symptoms. A greenhouse study was conducted with ‘Monterey’ strawberry plants and three inoculum treatments (control, root-, and crown-inoculated) sampled at 5 timepoints (3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-inoculation). M. phaseolina was quantified in root and crown tissue using a culture-dependent technique that uses sodium hypochlorite to eliminate non-target organisms in dried, ground strawberry tissues. Across all four trials, the number of colonies detected in roots at 28 dpi was significantly higher than 3 dpi by factors of 12, 148, 62, and 2,977, suggesting active colonization of roots. However, all plant parts remained asymptomatic for the duration of the experiment, confirming that infection and abundant colonization of strawberry plants can occur before symptoms are apparent. Crowns were also assessed for colonization but the results were inconclusive. This study is a first step toward elucidating the infection process of charcoal rot disease on strawberry.

Plant Growth‐Promoting Microbial Consortia for Effective Biocontrol of Groundnut Collar Rot and Chickpea Wilt

ABSTRACTFungal seed‐ and soilborne diseases are economically devastating threats to global agriculture. The pathogenic fungi infiltrate seeds during production, storage, or planting and persist within the soil, posing a significant challenge to crop health and yield. The use of microbial consortia has become a promising alternative for their management. In this study, 15 isolates (six fungal and nine bacterial) were evaluated for their broad‐spectrum antagonistic activities against eight major seed‐ and soilborne pathogens, namely, Rhizoctonia solani (rice), Fusarium verticillioides (maize), Macrophomina phaseolina (maize), F. udum (redgram), F. oxysporum f. sp. ciceris (chickpea), Sclerotium rolfsii (groundnut), Aspergillus niger (groundnut), and Alternaria sesami (sesame) under in vitro conditions. All isolates showed significant variations in their inhibitory capabilities against all eight pathogens. Evaluation of their plant growth‐promoting traits identified isolates Trichoderma asperellum (Tricho1 and Tricho2) and Bacillus subtilis (B3, S4KB5 and S8KB2) as the most effective broad‐spectrum biocontrol isolates. All three microbial consortia (MC1, MC2, and MC3) developed using compatible potential isolates were promising in reducing disease incidence and promoting plant growth in groundnut and chickpea. The microbial consortium MC1 comprising Tricho1 + S4KB5 + S8KB2 was the most effective in both groundnut and chickpea, which recorded the lowest collar rot and wilt incidence of 9.33% and 8.33%, respectively. The study identified effective broad‐spectrum plant growth‐promoting microbial consortia. These consortia can be evaluated under field conditions and exploited both as biopesticides and biofertilisers in sustainable agriculture.

Genome-wide association study for resistance to Macrophomina phaseolina in maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a frequently used food source in human and animal nutrition. Macrophomina phaseolina is a fungal pathogen causing charcoal rot disease in many plants, especially maize. This pathogen causes high yield losses in maize. The development of resistant maize genotypes is of great importance in controlling this disease. In this study, the population structure of 120 different maize genotypes with varying levels of disease resistance was determined and genome-wide association studies were performed. Each genotype was subjected to the pathogen under controlled conditions and their phenotypic responses to the disease were analyzed. Afterwards, single nucleotide polymorphisms were determined by DArT-seq sequencing. After filtering the SNP data, 37,470 clean SNPs were obtained. The population structure was analyzed with STRUCTURE software, and it was determined that the population was divided into two subgroups. The relationship between phenotypic and genotypic data was analyzed using the MLM (Q + K) model in TASSEL software. As a result, seven SNPs markers located on four different chromosomes were associated with disease resistance. The related markers can be used in the future for the development of maize varieties resistant to M. phaseolina by marker-assisted selection.

Diversity and Symbiotic Associations of Endophytic Fungi in Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton (Asclepiadaceae) Across Three Egyptian Regions: Phenotypic Characterization and Mitotic Activity

Endophytic fungi are essential contributors to fungal biodiversity, playing key roles in plant defense against pathogens, alleviation of abiotic stress, and promotion of growth. This study conducted a comprehensive survey of the phenotypic characterization of Calotropis procera and its associated endophytic fungi across three regions in Egypt: Qena-Safaga, Qena, and Qena-Kosseir. Positive and significant Pearson correlations among plant morphological traits suggest intrinsic connections. Fungal species diversity exhibited significant variation across the three regions examined. Particularly, the Qena-Kosseir region demonstrated the highest fungal species richness both in soil samples and endophytic fungi. Unique to this region, Allocanariomyces tritici, Aspergillus terreus, Chaetomium globosum, C. murorum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, C. sphaerospermum, Fusarium proliferatum, Penicillium crustosum, P. granulatum, P. spinuloseum, and Roussoella intermedia were identified as endophytes. Additionally, compared to other regions, the Qena-Kosseir area exhibited the presence of Aspergillus fumigatus, A. ochraceus, A. ornatus, A. sclerotiocabonarus, Drechslera halodes, Emericella echinulata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Macrophomina phaseolina in soil samples, underscoring its distinct fungal community composition. Furthermore, antimitotic assays using the Allium cepa test revealed distinct effects of endophytic extracts on various mitotic stages. Of the 33 treatments, 11 showed an increase in the mitotic index (MI), indicating a potential positive effect on plant growth and cell division. This study offers valuable insights into the diversity and functional roles of endophytic fungi associated with C. procera, highlighting their promising applications in sustainable agriculture and plant health management.

Biopesticidal efficacy of green synthesized selenium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles against Macrophomina phaseolina the causal agent of maize charcoal rot.

Biopesticidal efficacy of green synthesized selenium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles against Macrophomina phaseolina the causal agent of maize charcoal rot.

Unraveling the Antifungal Mechanisms of Clonostachys rosea: Morpho-Molecular Characterization and its Bioactive Compounds against Macrophomina phaseolina in-vitro and in-silico

Unraveling the Antifungal Mechanisms of Clonostachys rosea: Morpho-Molecular Characterization and its Bioactive Compounds against Macrophomina phaseolina in-vitro and in-silico

Zinc-chitosan nanocomposites as guardians against the dreaded phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in Vigna radiata L.

Zinc-chitosan nanocomposites as guardians against the dreaded phytopathogenic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina in Vigna radiata L.

Determination of the method of induction of mutations by gamma radiation in soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill) for tolerance to carbonic rot produced by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi Goid.)

Determination of the method of induction of mutations by gamma radiation in soybeans (Glycine max L. Merrill) for tolerance to carbonic rot produced by the fungus Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi Goid.)

Optimizing the batch fermentation process (agitation and aeration) of the biocontrol agent, Bacillus velezensis strain KSAM1, and its influence on soilborne fungus, Macrophomina phaseolina

Optimizing the batch fermentation process (agitation and aeration) of the biocontrol agent, <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> strain KSAM1, and its influence on soilborne fungus, <i>Macrophomina phaseolina</i>

Field efficacy of 1,3-dichloropropene and chloropicrin on disinfestation of strawberry crown tissue infected with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae or Macrophomina phaseolina

Past research demonstrated that soilborne pathogens can survive on buried strawberry crowns through fumigation. Devising methods to improve treatment of these tissues could help with disease control. The objectives of this work were to: 1) investigate the extent to which fragmenting pathogen-infested crowns could improve fumigant disinfestation efficacy, 2) evaluate the efficacy of fumigation with chloropicrin alone (Tri-Clor) versus a mixture of chloropicrin and 1,3-dichloropropene (Pic-Clor 60), and 3) characterize the soil concentration and efficacy of fumigants at multiple depths. Fragmenting crowns did not result in improved disinfestation efficacy by any treatment. Neither fumigant achieved adequate Fusarium wilt disease control in the first trial, despite both treatments having high crown disinfestation efficacy. In the second trial, Pic-Clor 60 was significantly more effective than Tri-Clor at disinfesting Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. fragariae (Fof) from strawberry crowns and suppressing Fusarium wilt disease. Broadcast-applied Pic-Clor 60 was significantly more effective than Tri-Clor at controlling Macrophomina phaseolina on crowns and soil across both trials. However, drip-applied Pic-Clor 60 EC was not significantly better than Tri-Clor EC at disinfesting crowns, soil, or suppressing subsequent crown rot disease caused by M. phaseolina. Fumigant gas concentrations tended to be highest at the depth of injection (25 cm), and lowest at the 50 cm depth. Overall, these results indicate there is a consistent advantage to using broadcast Pic-Clor 60 when M. phaseolina is present, but the advantages were not consistent for Fof or when drip applications were made.

Unshackle Pseudomonas putida GN1 and organic amendments against root rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) and stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) control by plant growth promotion in groundnut

The efficacy of Pseudomonas putida (GN1) and Burholderia cepacia (KKM1) as seed treatment and soil application along with neem cake against groundnut root rot and stem rot disease was evaluated under rainfed conditions during the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. The present study is to evaluate biocontrol agents and organic amendments against Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotium rolfsii in peanut. The result showed that neem cake (10 %) recorded the maximum inhibition of Macrophomona phaseolina (40.91 %) and S. rolfsii (45.45 %) under in vitro whereas neem cake combined with P. putida and B. cepacia as seed treatment 10 g/kg of seed and soil Application of P. putida @ 2.5 kg + Neem cake 150 kg/ha decreases the soil-borne diseases of root rot (71.70 %) and stem rot (64.88 %) and also increased the yield 2130.48 kg/ha with the cost-benefit ratio of 2.74 under rainfed field conditions comparing to other treatments. In addition, the same treatment increased the total root length (2110.41 mm), Root tips (573 Nos), forks (501 Nos), Maximum diameter (18.11 mm) and estimated volume (27170 cm3 ) when using BioVis PSM Root -Rhizoscanner.

Biological Control of Tomato Root Rot Disease by Indigenous Rhizobacteria in Greenhouse Setting

Background: Rhizobacteria are essential for plant health by offering natural antagonism to soil-borne fungi. Rhizobacteria are regarded as an alternative to chemical agents for the integrated control of plant diseases and for enhancing yield in an ecologically sustainable way. Nonetheless, there is a limited comprehension of the precise processes via which rhizobacteria suppress these diseases and the variety of rhizobacterial species implicated. Methods: Through experiments conducted in 2022-2024,the efficiency of 12 rhizobacterial isolates of Alloiococcus otitis BRE6, Aneurinibacillus thermoaerophilus SDV1, Aeribacillus pallidus ECC4, A. thermoaerophilus ECL1, Bacillus megaterium SKE2, Staphylococcus lentus BZD2, Enterobacter cloacae complex BZD3, B. megaterium TNK1, Leclercia adecarboxylata DKS3, B. halotolerans DMC8, B. subtilis NAS1 and Paenibacillus polymyxa TRS4, in controlling soilborne pathogenic fungi of Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina phaseolina and Pythium aphanidermatum, the causal agents of tomato root rot disease was evaluated under greenhouse conditions and plant growth parameters were evaluated. Result: The results indicated that the combination treatment of 12 rhizobacterial isolates (COR12) achieved the highest germination rate of tomato seeds in the presence of pathogenic fungi, reaching 100% and the lowest rate of disease incidence and severity, reached 5% and 1%, respectively, compared to the positive control treatment, which reached 82% and 53%, respectively. Representing control disease value of 98% compared to the single bacteria treatments. The COR12 treatment achieved a significant increase in the growth parameters represented by plant height and fresh and dry weight of the shoot and root system in the presence of pathogenic fungi compared to the individual bacterial treatments.

Evaluation of Combination Fungicides for Charcoal Rot and Collar Rot Management in Soybean

Soil-borne diseases, including charcoal rot (Macrophomina phaseolina) and collar rot (Sclerotium rolfsii), threaten global soybean production. Four fungicide combinations were tested as seed treatments at three concentrations (1, 1.5, and 2 g or ml per kg of seed) under controlled conditions to address the challenges posed by these diseases. Under controlled conditions, the combination of thiophanate methyl + pyraclostrobin at a rate of 2 mL/kg of seed significantly alleviated disease symptoms caused by both pathogens. Additionally, it enhanced shoot and root weights by over 50% in plants affected by S. rolfsii. Field trials were conducted for two years at two distinct locations to assess the efficacy of three selected combination seed treatment fungicides against M. phaseolina and S. rolfsii. Both inoculated and uninoculated controls were included for the comparison. Among the fungicides, thiophanate-methyl + pyraclostrobin and trifloxystrobin + penflufen proved the most effective for suppressing both diseases under epiphytotic field conditions across the years and locations. This study also highlighted the benefits of these chemical combinations in enhancing agronomic traits, maintaining yield, and ensuring the economic viability of soybeans.

Endophytic Bacillus spp. of coffee plants (Coffea arabica L.) and its potential in the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi and Lepidoptera larvae

BackgroundResearch with coffee (Coffea arabica L., Rubiaceae) endophytic microorganisms demonstrates that there is a rich microbiota that has diverse abilities to protect plants and act against phytopathogens. Therefore, the isolation and knowledge of endophytic microorganisms are important for future explorations aimed at using promising strains in controlling pests and diseases and promoting plant growth. The present work aimed to: (i) isolate and identify endophytic Bacillus strains from leaves of C. arabica plants; (ii) carry out the morphological and molecular characterization; (iii) evaluate the mycelial inhibition capacity of soil phytopathogens in vitro; (iv) and evaluate the pathogenicity of the strains against the tested lepidopteran insect pests.ResultsAs a result, three species of Bacillus were isolated: B. mycoides, B. thuringiensis and B. velezensis. B. thuringiensis was virulent to Spodoptera frugiperda, Helicoverpa armigera, Chrysodeixis includens and Diatraea saccharalis and showed 100% pest mortality, and the lethal concentration (LC50 values) was estimated: 6.78 × 103 spores/ml to S. frugiperda; 6.23 × 102 spores/ml to H. armigera; 9.28 × 102 spores/ml to C. includens; and 5.81 × 101 spores/ml to D. saccharalis. In total, seven genes related to pathogenicity in insects were found in B. thuringiensis based on genome: cry1Ab24, cry1Bd2, cry2Aa9, cry2Ab41, cry1Ea7, cry1Ia37 and Spp1Aa1. Furthermore, B. velezensis was able to inhibit the growth of phytopathogens: Fusarium oxysporum (49%), Rhizoctonia solani (72%) and Macrophomina phaseolina (65%) and provided above 50% mortality on S. frugiperda and C. includens. Regarding B. mycoides, it was not efficient in inhibiting the growth of pathogens and causing pest mortality.ConclusionTwo (B. thuringiensis and B. velezensis) of three endophytic bacteria isolated from coffee leaves showed potential to use in biological control of important pests and phytopathogens of agriculture, with high mortality of lepidopteran larvae in laboratory with B. thurigiensis and high mycelial inhibition with B. velezensis. More studies with these two strains must be carried out in greenhouse and in field to prove its beneficial properties.

Biology and Host Ranges of the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina Phaseolina: a Comprehensive Review

Biology and Host Ranges of the Plant Pathogenic Fungus Macrophomina Phaseolina: a Comprehensive Review

Cover Cropping Attenuates Population Growth of Macrophomina phaseolina by Limiting Weed Biomass, Despite Asymptomatic Colonization of Cover Crops.

Macrophomina phaseolina is a fungus that causes charcoal rot in strawberry and a wide variety of crop species. Little is known about its potential to asymptomatically colonize crop plants or grow saprophytically on their tissues, both of which would create a potential for alternate, asymptomatic hosts to lead to increases in inoculum. To test the impact of cover cropping on M. phaseolina abundance, we conducted randomized-block field experiments in soils infested by M. phaseolina. None of the 15 cover crop varieties showed symptoms of charcoal rot. All Fabaceae and Brassicaceae varieties were asymptomatically colonized at varying rates, but among Poaceae M. phaseolina was recovered from only one individual oat plant. Soil samples collected at the time of planting, tillage, and 8 weeks after tillage showed that cover cropping attenuated the growth of M. phaseolina relative to fallow plots harboring the weedy legume Medicago polymorpha. This weed species was abundantly colonized by this pathogen in both living root samples and plant residue collected 8 weeks after tillage. Cover cropping also influenced the diversity and composition of bulk soil bacterial and fungal communities, but these effects were not associated with M. phaseolina population density. Although M. phaseolina was not detected in living wheat tissues, it was recovered from wheat residue, suggesting that it may be facultatively saprophytic. These results suggest that cover cropping does not pose a risk for increasing disease caused by M. phaseolina and could be beneficial as conducive weed species, such as M. polymorpha, are suppressed.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Eco-friendly nano colloids for enhanced black gram (Vigna mungo) seed viability: experimental and computational analysis

An experiment was designed to fabricate Polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated zein-zipped herbal molecules infused nano colloids (PZCA-NCs) for extending Vigna mungo seeds storability. PZCA-NCs was synthesized and characterized in Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Particle size analyser, Zeta Potential, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX). The bio-efficacy of PZCA-NCs on seed storability was tested under accelerated ageing. The sphere-shaped PZCA-NCs possess a 151 nm size with 44.5mV zeta potential at an encapsulation of 73.44% curcumin and 69.0% azadirachtin. The spectra of FTIR, UV –Vis, XRD, and TGA confirmed the functionality, composition, and stability of PZCA-NCs. The dialysis diffusion method was utilised to study the maximum cumulative release of biomolecules 6.1ppm (88.4%) azadirachtin and 64.57ppm (88.2%) curcumin at pH 7.4. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to determine the binding mode of molecules and examine ligand interactions in PZCA-NCs. PZCA-NCs treated seeds at 25 mL/kg enumerated higher germination, vigour index, α-amylase, dehydrogenase, and catalase and peroxidase activity under ageing. Seeds storage pathogen infection was reduced with an increase in the concentration of PZCA-NCs coating. The bioassay results on insect activity evidenced that PZCA-NCs at 15.76 mL/kg killed 50% and 40 mL/kg killed 100% of the storage insect Callosobruchus maculatus. Toxicity study on Macrophomina phaseolina showed that PZCA-NCs at 35 mL resulted in 0.8 cm mycelia growth with 91.11% inhibition zone, while at 45 mL had zero growth of fungal mycelia with 100% inhibition. The study concludes that PZCA-NCs act as an efficient seed invigoration material to extend the vitality of Vigna mungo seeds during ageing.

Morpho-molecular diversity analysis of Macrophomina phaseolina infecting different hosts

Morpho-molecular diversity analysis of Macrophomina phaseolina infecting different hosts

Investigations on Seed-Borne Fungi Associated with Maize Varieties and Their Control

Maiz is one of the important crops being grown at Pakistan and worldwide. The study investigates seed-borne fungi in maize varieties and recommends fungicides and plant extracts for enhancing seed germination and plant health. Six different fungi were isolated from maize seeds, with Aspergillus niger being the predominant fungus, followed by Penicillium spp., Fusarium oxysporum, Curvularia lunata, Rhizopus oryzae, and Macrophomina phaseolina. Infected seeds showed reduced germination compared to healthy seeds, indicating the negative impact of seed-borne fungi on germination percentage. All six fungi were present in both the seed coat and endosperm, with slightly lower diversity observed in the embryo axis. Aspergillus niger was dominant in the seed coat, while Rhizopus oryzae and Macrophomina phaseolina were notably absent from the embryo axis. Carbendazim treatment showed effective results to minimize the disease, while Topsin M, Aliette, and Acrobat had intermediate effects compared to untreated controls. Neem extract was the most effective, followed by Datura, Nazboo, and Khabar. Carbendazim consistently had the most positive impact on plant height and weight. The untreated, uninoculated control exhibited the highest plant growth, emphasizing the negative impact of fungal inoculation. Neem extract consistently had the most positive impact on plant height and weight among plant extracts. The untreated, uninoculated control consistently had the highest values, indicating the absence of fungal inoculation positively influenced plant growth. Neem extract proved to be a promising alternative for managing seedborne fungi.