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Characterization of a bacterial strain T226 and its efficacy in controlling post-harvest citrus anthracnose

Summary

Scientists discovered a beneficial bacterium called Lysobacter enzymogenes (strain T226) that effectively controls anthracnose, a fungal disease affecting citrus fruits after harvest. This bacterium was isolated from soil and shows strong ability to inhibit the disease-causing fungus while remaining stable over time. The research demonstrates that this biological control agent could be a promising eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for protecting stored citrus fruits.

Background

Postharvest anthracnose of citrus caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides results in significant economic losses. There is growing need for effective biological control agents to manage this disease as alternatives to synthetic fungicides.

Objective

To identify and characterize a bacterial strain T226 isolated from sugarcane rhizosphere soil and evaluate its efficacy as a biocontrol agent against citrus postharvest anthracnose caused by C. gloeosporioides.

Results

Strain T226 was identified as Lysobacter enzymogenes with 100% bootstrap support. It demonstrated strong antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides (80.3% inhibition) and broad-spectrum activity against 10 fungi and 4 bacteria. In artificial inoculation assays, T226 achieved 78.2% control efficacy, while under natural infection conditions at 60 days post-application, it achieved 61.3% control efficacy, exceeding prochloraz performance.

Conclusion

Lysobacter enzymogenes T226 represents the first reported L. enzymogenes strain showing high efficacy against citrus postharvest anthracnose. Its high stability, broad-spectrum activity, and superior long-term performance under natural conditions underscore considerable potential for practical application in postharvest protection during citrus storage.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental Laboratory and Field Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41158773, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1678436
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