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Actinomycetes isolated from rhizosphere of wild Coffea arabica L. showed strong biocontrol activities against coffee wilt disease

Summary

Researchers discovered that certain bacteria called actinomycetes, particularly a strain called MUA26, can effectively fight coffee wilt disease, a serious fungal infection that damages coffee plants. These beneficial bacteria produce natural compounds that kill the disease-causing fungus and were tested on coffee seedlings in a greenhouse, showing 83% effectiveness at preventing the disease. This discovery offers coffee farmers an organic alternative to chemical pesticides, which are expensive and harmful to the environment.

Background

Coffee wilt disease caused by Gibberella xylarioides is a significant threat to coffee production in Ethiopia, causing substantial yield losses and economic damage. Traditional control methods using fungicides have proven ineffective and environmentally problematic. Biological control using antagonistic microorganisms offers a promising alternative approach.

Objective

To isolate actinomycetes from the rhizosphere of wild Coffea arabica plants in the Yayo coffee forest biosphere and evaluate their antagonistic activity against Gibberella xylarioides in vitro and in vivo.

Results

A total of 82 actinomycetes were isolated, with four isolates (MUA26, MUA13, MUA52, and MUA14) showing greater than 70% inhibition of fungal mycelial growth. MUA26 demonstrated the highest inhibition at 83.3% in vitro and achieved 83% disease control efficiency in vivo, producing extracellular enzymes including chitinase, protease, and lipase.

Conclusion

MUA26 represents a promising biocontrol agent against coffee wilt disease, demonstrating significant antagonistic activity against Gibberella xylarioides both in vitro and in vivo. This isolate, along with its ability to solubilize phosphate and zinc, positions it as a potential bioinoculant for managing coffee wilt disease in sustainable agriculture.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39088552, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306837
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