MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Identifying Key Pathogens and Effective Control Agents for Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus Root Rot

Summary

Astragalus root, a valued traditional Chinese medicine, suffers from a serious fungal disease caused primarily by two Fusarium species. Researchers tested eight fungicides and nine beneficial bacteria to find the most effective treatments. The chemical fungicide carbendazim and a beneficial bacterium called KRS006 proved most effective, offering promise for developing better disease management strategies that combine both chemical and biological approaches.

Background

Root rot is a serious disease affecting Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, a perennial herb and important traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The disease significantly reduces yield and quality, with Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani identified as major pathogenic fungi causing substantial damage to medicinal roots in major planting areas across China.

Objective

This study aimed to isolate and identify pathogenic fungi causing root rot in Astragalus membranaceus var. mongholicus, verify their pathogenicity, and evaluate the inhibitory effects of eight fungicides and nine biocontrol agents against these pathogens. The goal was to identify the most effective control agents for developing an integrated management strategy.

Results

Seven pathogenic strains were identified: CDF5, CDF6, and CDF7 as Fusarium oxysporum, and CDF1, CDF2, CDF3, and CDF4 as Fusarium solani. Carbendazim exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect with an EC50 value of (0.44 ± 0.24) mg/mL. Among biocontrol strains, KRS006 showed the best inhibition rate ranging from 42.57% to 55.51% against all seven pathogenic strains.

Conclusion

Carbendazim and the biocontrol strain KRS006 were identified as promising core agents for chemical and biological control of Astragalus root rot, respectively. The study provides a foundation for establishing a dual biocontrol-chemical control strategy and emphasizes the need for field trials and monitoring of pathogen resistance to ensure sustainable disease management.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Laboratory Experimental Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof11070544, PMID: 40985440
Scroll to Top