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The Biological Product Agricultural Jiaosu Enhances Tomato Resistance to Botrytis cinerea

Summary

Agricultural Jiaosu is a fermented product made from plant waste that effectively controls gray mold disease in tomatoes through two mechanisms: it directly kills the fungus with organic acids, and it strengthens the plant’s natural defenses. When applied as a spray to tomato leaves once a week, it reduced disease by 55%, made plants grow taller and stronger, and boosted the plants’ protective enzymes. This natural alternative to chemical fungicides offers a sustainable and safe way to protect tomato crops while maintaining environmental health.

Background

Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major threat to tomato production worldwide, resulting in yield reductions of 40-50% and annual losses estimated at $10-100 billion. Chemical fungicides are the primary control method but pose risks of environmental pollution, pathogen resistance, and health hazards. There is a pressing need for sustainable, eco-friendly biocontrol alternatives.

Objective

This study investigated the antifungal efficacy and defense-inducing potential of Agricultural Jiaosu (AJ), a fermented bioproduct derived from agricultural residues, against B. cinerea in tomato. The research aimed to characterize AJ’s in vitro antifungal activity, elucidate its inhibitory mechanisms, and evaluate its effects on tomato growth and gray mold suppression.

Results

In vitro, AJ exhibited strong inhibitory activity with IC50 of 3.9%, primarily through acidic metabolites (pH <4.2) that disrupted fungal membranes and suppressed antioxidant enzymes, with later-stage inhibition maintained by Acetobacter populations. In vivo, foliar application of 0.5% AJ promoted tomato growth (25.4% increase in height, 14% in stem diameter) and significantly stimulated antioxidant and defense-related enzyme activities. AJ treatment reduced gray mold incidence by 55% and lowered malondialdehyde content by 16.4%.

Conclusion

AJ exerts a dual mode of action combining direct pathogen suppression through organic acids and microbial antagonism with activation of host systemic resistance through enhanced antioxidant and phenylpropanoid pathway enzymes. As a sustainable, residue-free biocontrol solution derived from agricultural byproducts, AJ offers a promising environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides for effective management of gray mold in tomato cultivation.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi,
  • Study Type:Experimental Research,
  • Source: PMID: 41440698; DOI: 10.3390/jof11120873
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