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Tackling Conifer Needle Cast and Ash Dieback with Host-Derived Microbial Antagonists Exhibiting Plant Growth-Promoting Traits

Summary

Researchers discovered native bacteria living in European ash and Scots pine trees that can fight two destructive forest diseases: ash dieback and needle cast. These bacteria not only inhibit pathogen growth but also help trees absorb nutrients better, making them excellent natural candidates for protecting forests without harmful chemicals. The study identified several bacterial species that showed strong disease-fighting ability, with one strain preventing needle cast fungus growth by up to 80%.

Background

Needle cast disease caused by Lophodermium seditiosum and ash dieback caused by Hymenoscyphus fraxineus are among the most destructive forest diseases in Europe. Conventional control measures are limited and impractical for large-scale forests, necessitating sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives.

Objective

To isolate and characterize bacteria from Scots pine and European ash tissues and evaluate their antagonistic activity against respective pathogens, while assessing their plant growth-promoting traits for integrated forest protection strategies.

Results

Twelve bacterial isolates from ash and three from Scots pine were identified. Bacteria from genera Pantoea, Erwinia, Priestia, and Pseudomonas inhibited H. fraxineus growth by ≥70%, while Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Priestia species inhibited L. seditiosum growth by 50-80%. All isolates exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits including phosphate mineralization and siderophore production.

Conclusion

Native bacterial isolates from European ash and Scots pine demonstrated promising biocontrol and plant growth-promoting potential against ash dieback and needle cast pathogens, representing a significant step toward eco-friendly disease management and highlighting the need for further in planta and field validation studies.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:In vitro Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41304203
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