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Co-culture of White Rot Fungi Pleurotus ostreatus P5 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B2: A Strategy to Enhance Lipopeptide Production and Suppress of Fusarium Wilt of Cucumber

Summary

This research demonstrates how combining beneficial microorganisms can create more effective natural solutions for controlling plant diseases. The study found that growing two beneficial microbes together produced stronger anti-fungal compounds than growing them separately. This discovery has important real-world applications: • Provides a safer, environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides for protecting crops • Helps farmers reduce crop losses from fungal diseases • Contributes to more sustainable agricultural practices • Demonstrates the potential of harnessing natural microbial interactions for plant protection • Could lead to development of more effective biological control products

Background

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (FOC), is a destructive soil-borne plant disease that severely threatens cucumber yield and quality. Current control methods like chemical fungicides have negative environmental impacts, making biological control an attractive alternative strategy.

Objective

To investigate the effect of white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus P5 on cyclic lipopeptide (CLP) production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B2 and evaluate the potential of their co-culture filtrate to control cucumber Fusarium wilt disease.

Results

B. amyloliquefaciens B2 contained genes for iturin A and surfactin synthesis. Co-culture with P. ostreatus P5 enhanced the production of both lipopeptides and upregulated their biosynthetic genes. The co-culture filtrate showed 48.2% inhibition of FOC growth compared to 33.2% by monoculture filtrate. In greenhouse trials, co-culture filtrate treatment reduced disease incidence to 11.1% compared to 83.3% in controls, while also promoting plant growth and improving soil microbial activity.

Conclusion

The co-culture system of B. amyloliquefaciens B2 and P. ostreatus P5 provides an effective strategy for biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease through enhanced production of antifungal lipopeptides. The co-culture filtrate demonstrated superior disease suppression and plant growth promotion compared to monoculture treatments.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Laboratory and Greenhouse Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof9111049
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