Biological Control最新文献

{"title":"Larvicidal activity against Phenolia (Lasiodites) picta (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) on jujube (Zizyphus jujuba Miller var. inermis Rehder) and the improvement of high-quality fruit production using Bacillus licheniformis PR2","authors":"Jae-Hyun Moon ,&nbsp;Sang-Jae Won ,&nbsp;Vantha Choub ,&nbsp;Su-In Choi ,&nbsp;Ju-Yeol Yun ,&nbsp;Henry B. Ajuna ,&nbsp;Iksoo Kim ,&nbsp;Chul-Woo Kim ,&nbsp;Young Sang Ahn","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105739","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing consumption and demand of jujube fruits has accelerated production over the recent past. However, the aspects of eco-friendly strategies for pest control and high-quality fruit production are becoming more important to combat the impending dangers of repeated chemicals use in orchard management. This study identified for the first time, the sap beetle (<em>Phenolia</em> (<em>Lasiodites</em>) <em>picta</em>) larvae (based on mitochondrial DNA barcode sequencing), as the major insect pest causing damage in jujube fruits in Korea. The study investigated the insecticidal potential of cuticle-degrading enzymes from <em>Bacillus licheniformis</em> PR2 against <em>P. picta</em> larvae, and the enhancement of fruit quality and yield, through phytohormone production, ammonia production and phosphate solubilizing properties of the bacterium. <em>Bacillus licheniformis</em> PR2 produced chitinase and protease and caused larval mortalities of 55.56 % and 68.89 % when treated with the bacterial broth culture and crude enzyme fraction, respectively. The insecticidal activity in both treatments were characterized by deep cuticle fissures with swollen/depressed surfaces and loss of sensilla. Field application of <em>B. licheniformis</em> PR2 effectively controlled <em>P. picta</em> larvae in jujube orchard during active feeding period as they moved from fruit-to-fruit which reduced the damage and premature fruit-drop. Moreover, <em>B. licheniformis</em> PR2 produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA) phytohormones, and increased the soil concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus concentration in the soil. The application of <em>B. licheniformis</em> PR2 in jujube orchard increased the chlorophyll content/photosynthetic activity, fruit yield, fruit characteristics (such as length, diameter and fruit weight) and the organoleptic properties (such as the Ca content, firmness and sugar concentration) of jujube fruits, compared to the control and conventional treatment. Thus, we demonstrate that <em>B. licheniformis</em> PR2 can be a viable alternative to chemical pesticides and fertilizers and could enhance the eco-friendly and sustainable production of high-quality jujube fruits to meet the increasing demands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 105739"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143578221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Wolbachia-induced effects on the life history traits vary across generations of the parasitoid wasp Habrobracon hebetor: Insights for mass rearing","authors":"Seyede Fatemeh Nasehi,&nbsp;Yaghoub Fathipour,&nbsp;Mohammad Mehrabadi","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105731","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105731","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Wolbachia</em> are the most widespread endosymbionts in Animalia, maternally inherited and capable of manipulating the reproductive system of their hosts. The <em>Wolbachia</em>-host interactions are often described as parasitic relationships, thought, <em>Wolbachia</em> are able to improve the fitness of some infected hosts. <em>Habrobracon hebetor</em> is an ectoparasitoid of lepidopteran larvae that are naturally infected with <em>Wolbachia</em>, which induces cytoplasmic incompatibility and enhances some fitness parameters after 8 generation as a short-term rearing. In this study, we evaluated the impact of <em>Wolbachia</em> on the life history traits of <em>H. hebetor</em> over successive generations using an age-stage, two-sex life table analysis. The results showed that generation had fitness costs on <em>H. hebetor</em>. <em>Wolbachia</em> infection affected developmental time and lifespan of <em>H. hebetor,</em> but showed no effect on the other life history traits. The developmental time was also affected by the interaction between <em>Wolbachia</em> infection and generation. Our results did not indicate a clear fitness cost or benefit of harboring <em>Wolbachia</em> in the host, however, generation considered as a negative factor on the productivity of insects under mass rearing conditions. This underscores the importance of considering the complex interactions between symbionts and their hosts when studying the ecological and evolutionary implications of these relationships.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"203 ","pages":"Article 105731"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143576833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combating aflatoxin contamination by combining biocontrol application and adapted maize germplasm in northeastern and southeastern Mexico","authors":"Carlos Muñoz-Zavala,&nbsp;Aide Molina-Macedo,&nbsp;Fernando H. Toledo,&nbsp;Eugenio Telles-Mejía,&nbsp;Luisa Cabrera-Soto,&nbsp;Natalia Palacios-Rojas","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105727","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105727","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize is highly vulnerable to aflatoxin (AF) contamination caused by fungi from the <em>Aspergillus</em> section <em>Flavi</em>, with deficiencies in post-harvest management practices further exacerbating AF levels. Due to their carcinogenic properties, AFs pose significant health risks. Biological control using non-aflatoxigenic <em>A. flavus</em> isolates has been effective for over 25 years in the USA, with two formulations being commercially available. However, no such products have been developed yet for use in Mexico. This study evaluated the effectiveness of AF36-Prevail®, a non-aflatoxigenic strain from Arizona, for reducing aflatoxin contamination in Mexico. Over four years (2019–2022), we assessed its impact alongside regionally adapted maize germplasm in northeastern and southeastern Mexico. We analyzed a total of 1,479 grain samples, with 887 from biocontrol-treated fields, and 592 from untreated fields across 69 sites in Tamaulipas and Campeche. Treated fields showed 59.0 % to 89.9 % reductions in AF content compared to untreated fields, and higher ear rot was observed in untreated fields. Correlation coefficients between ear rot and AF content were <em>r</em> = 0.08 for Campeche and <em>r</em> = 0.36 for Tamaulipas. Significant differences (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.001) were noted between years and hybrids for both yields and AF levels. Three hybrids in Tamaulipas and four in Campeche demonstrated better adaptation, higher yields, and lower AF levels (&lt; 20 ppb). This research underscores the potential for safer maize production in Mexico, particularly when combining biocontrol strain application with adapted germplasm.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"204 ","pages":"Article 105727"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143644117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preemptive and proactive application of biological control for weeds: An argument for swifter action to aid conservation efforts","authors":"Melissa C. Smith ,&nbsp;Kim Canavan ,&nbsp;Carey R. Minteer ,&nbsp;Deah Lieurance","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105725","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105725","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive alien plants (IAPs) are a frequent consequence of global connectivity and present significant threats to biodiversity, amplifying impacts from global climate change and habitat loss. Integrated management efforts for landscape-level plant invasions often include some combination of mechanical, cultural, chemical, and biological control. The former three have well established protocols and development pipelines for rapid responses to new invasions. Biological control of IAPs, however, is often employed only after the invaded region has reached some arbitrary but intolerable level of negative impact that triggers efforts to develop agents to provide control. Despite mounting evidence that investments in prevention and proactive approaches to IAPs are the most cost effective, most expenditures, including those for biological control development, continue to be in the post-invasion reactive phase. We build a rationale for earlier investigation and implementation of biological control for IAPs. A potential framework for this approach would pair prioritization methods (e.g., risk assessments and horizon scanning) to identify targets with extensive literature searches for known herbivores or foreign range surveys and early host range tests. In addition, resource sharing among regions and nations with similar climates and risks would alleviate the onus of investment from any one party. Finally, investments into conservation and training opportunities between nations further incentivizes maintaining natural resources for potential biological control. By developing and implementing biological control earlier in or before the invasion process, countless impacts and costs are lessened.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 105725"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143474088","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Volatiles produced by bacteria in the honeydew of cotton aphids mediate prey location by Hippodamia variegata (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)","authors":"Panjing Liu ,&nbsp;Tao Zhang ,&nbsp;Yu Gao ,&nbsp;Xiaofang Zhang ,&nbsp;Hongyi Wei ,&nbsp;Yanhui Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105728","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105728","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Honeydew produced by insects is not only recognized as a nutrient-rich substance for natural enemies, influencing their survival, development, and reproduction but also a source of volatiles that regulate the foraging behavior of natural enemies. <em>Hippodamia variegata</em> (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) is an effective predatory natural enemy of <em>Aphis gossypii</em> (Hemiptera: Aphididae) in Xinjiang, China. However, the functional significance of honeydew volatiles from <em>A. gossypii</em> for <em>H. variegata</em> remains largely unclear. Here we reported that <em>H. variegata</em> adults were attracted by the crude honeydew of <em>A. gossypii</em>, and we identified fifteen volatiles using headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS). Electroantennogram (EAG) results showed that <em>H. variegata</em> exhibits a significant dose-dependent response to nine volatiles from honeydew. Y-tube olfactometer and cage predation tests showed that 1-heptanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-phenylethanol, and 2-methyl-1-propanol attracted <em>H. variegata</em> adults. Furthermore, our study also elucidated the relationship between honeydew compounds and microorganisms. The findings demonstrated that the compounds 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-phenylethanol, and 2-methyl-1-propanol originate from five distinct cultivable bacteria identified using the 16S rRNA markers. Our results provide potential eco-friendly strategies for enhancing biological control of aphids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 105728"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143455091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effector Cpe1 secreted by Trichoderma longibrachiatum induces plant disease resistance","authors":"Wang Xiaoting ,&nbsp;Wenya Chen ,&nbsp;Zhang Jialin,&nbsp;Hu Weishe,&nbsp;Li Ming,&nbsp;Zhao Peibao,&nbsp;Aizhi Ren","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105726","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105726","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Trichoderma longibrachiatum</em> SMF2 is an important biocontrol fungus that can control pathogen through a variety of mechanisms, such as competition, antibiosis, and induction of plant disease resistance. However, the effect of proteins secreted by this microorganism on plants is not well understood. Therefore, we investigated the function of the secreted protein TLCpe1(Cpe1), which is homologous to cerato-platanin-like effector, by constructing gene knockout mutants and analyzing their phenotypes. After transforming the knockout vector of gene <em>TLCPE1</em> (<em>CPE1</em>) into the protoplast of <em>T. longibrachiatum</em> SMF2, a mutant Δ<em>CPE1</em> was identified. The results of PCR and southern blotting confirmed that the vector was inserted into the genome by single exchange of the upstream recombination arm, resulting in the disruption of integrity gene. RT-PCR demonstrated that <em>CPE1</em> gene was not normally transcribed in the Δ<em>CPE1</em> mutant. Phenotypic analysis revealed that the growth rate and spore yield were reduced in Δ<em>CPE1</em>. However, Δ<em>CPE1</em> showed no significant difference in inhibitory activity against <em>B. cinerea</em> compared to the wild type of <em>T. longibrachiatum</em> SMF2 (WT). Root inoculation assays showed that when <em>T. repens</em> were treated with a spore suspension of the mutant Δ<em>CPE1</em>, the induced resistance of plant to <em>B. cinerea</em> was reduced compared to that treated with the WT. Further analysis indicated that <em>T</em>. <em>repens</em> treated with a WT spore suspension exhibited significantly higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activity than plants treated with Δ<em>CPE1</em>, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in <em>T. repens</em> treated with the WT was relatively low. These findings indicate that the secreted protein Cpe1 functions as an effector that enhances host resistance during the biocontrol process of <em>T. longibrachiatum</em> SMF2.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 105726"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143455093","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancing strain-specific TaqMan assays for Trichoderma asperellum detection in commercial agricultural settings","authors":"Manfredini Andrea ,&nbsp;Pugliese Massimo ,&nbsp;Valfrè Paolo ,&nbsp;Canfora Loredana","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105723","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105723","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global agricultural sector is facing significant challenges in achieving higher sustainability, which has increased interest in using biological control agents (BCAs) to manage plant diseases. However, it is essential to ensure that microbial-based products, such as BCAs, are utilised in a manner that does not harm soil quality and fertility while decreasing reliance on synthetic pesticides. To accomplish this, it is crucial to monitor the fate and persistence of bioinoculants in the soil, which is essential for optimising their application over time, as well as for regulatory and commercial purposes and environmental risk assessment. A qPCR detection method utilising TaqMan chemistry is proposed, which has demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity in detecting <em>Trichoderma asperellum,</em> a common BCA species, in soil. The primers and probe were designed based on the βtubulin2 gene. The TaqMan-based assay was applied and validated on soils where tomatoes and strawberries were grown after a previous application of <em>T. asperellum</em> FC80 strain over three years. The TaqMan-based assay was able to detect the target strain accurately, meeting the stringent requirements for commercial and regulatory applications.</div></div><div><h3>Significance and impact of the study</h3><div>The TaqMan assay developed here has the potential to impact the agricultural sector significantly. It can be used for regulatory, commercial, and scientific purposes to track, monitor, and determine the presence and fate of <em>T. asperellum</em> under field crop conditions, thereby contributing to adopting more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 105723"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143402879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Puccinia punctiformis, a biological control agent, into Cirsium arvense management in semi-arid organic agriculture","authors":"Christian Larson,&nbsp;Daniel Chichinsky,&nbsp;Fabian Menalled,&nbsp;Tim Seipel","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105724","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105724","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Puccinia punctiformis</em> is an obligate fungal pathogen of <em>Cirsium arvense</em>, a perennial rhizomatous weed common in temperate ecosystems. <em>Cirsium arvense</em> is difficult to manage in organic agriculture and integrated management is necessary to reduce its abundance and impact on crops. <em>Puccinia punctiformis</em> limits <em>C. arvense</em> growth but its effect has not been quantified in cropland field studies. In a four-year organic annual crop sequence at a semi-arid site in Montana, USA, we evaluated (1) <em>P. punctiformis</em> (occurrence, symptomatic stem density) and <em>C. arvense</em> (stem density, relative growth rate [RGR]) in response to tillage (standard vs. reduced), and the relationship between these two variables, and (2) final year crop stem density in response to tillage and <em>P. punctiformis</em> patch infection. Reduced tillage increased <em>P. punctiformis</em> occurrence and symptomatic stem density through time. <em>Cirsium arvense</em> stem density decreased through time in reduced tillage patches that displayed symptomatic infection. <em>Cirsium arvense</em> RGR decreased with increasing years that a patch had <em>P. punctiformis</em> symptomatic infection, and in the reduced tillage treatment regardless of symptoms. Final year crop stem density was higher under standard tillage but increased under reduced tillage with increasing years that a patch had <em>P. punctiformis</em> symptomatic infection. Reduced tillage practices complemented the impact of existing <em>P. punctiformis</em> by increasing its spread and symptomatic infection, two challenges previously identified with using <em>P. punctiformis</em> as a biocontrol agent. When coupled with complementary tactics, producers can integrate <em>P. punctiformis</em> into semi-arid organic agriculture weed management, potentially helping reduce <em>C. arvense</em>’s impact on crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"202 ","pages":"Article 105724"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143420105","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Green guardians: The biocontrol potential of Pseudomonas-derived metabolites for sustainable agriculture","authors":"Ruihuan Yang ,&nbsp;Xiangning Du ,&nbsp;Moein Khojasteh ,&nbsp;Syed Mashab Ali Shah ,&nbsp;Yongzheng Peng ,&nbsp;Zhangfei Zhu ,&nbsp;Zhengyin Xu ,&nbsp;Gongyou Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105699","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2025.105699","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Pseudomonas</em> is a diverse genus found in various ecological environments, ranging from soil and water to plant surfaces and animal tissues. These bacteria are notable for producing a wide array of bioactive antimicrobial metabolites (AMs), which give them a competitive advantage by inhibiting rival microorganisms and serve as a primary mechanism for the biocontrol of plant diseases, thus supporting sustainable agriculture. This review comprehensively covers recent advancements in the study of <em>Pseudomonas</em>-derived AMs. It discusses the chemical diversity of these metabolites, their broad-spectrum bioactivities against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, oomycetes, nematodes, and their modes of action. The genetic and enzymatic processes involved in AMs production, and the regulatory mechanisms that control these pathways in response to environmental signals. Practical applications of <em>Pseudomonas</em> AMs are also explored, particularly in plant disease management, where they function as biopesticides, reducing dependency on chemical pesticides and promoting sustainable farming practices. This review aims to encourage further exploration into AMs, inspiring new explorations into their production and applications. By highlighting recent progress and emerging trends, it seeks to promote the use of AMs in plant disease management and inspire the development of new green agrochemicals, contributing to more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 105699"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Pseudomonas-based bio-formulation to control bacterial blight of pomegranate caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. punicae","authors":"Pavan Kumar ,&nbsp;Giandomenico Corrado ,&nbsp;Girigowda Manjunatha ,&nbsp;Suma Ramegowda ,&nbsp;Pradeep Kumar ,&nbsp;Boris Basile ,&nbsp;Ganadalu Puttaswamy Mutthuraju ,&nbsp;Baggana Girish Jasmitha","doi":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocontrol.2024.105686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) have emerged as sustainable tool for managing plant diseases. This study investigates the potential of a <em>Pseudomonas</em>-based biocontrol agent to manage bacterial blight (BB) in pomegranate. This major disease is caused by <em>Xanthomonas axonopodis</em> pv. <em>punicae</em> (Xap) and it is traditionally controlled with antibiotics. Of the 151 bacterial isolates obtained from the pomegranate rhizosphere, three (UHSPS15A, UHSPS33, and UHSPS54) demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects against Xap <em>in vitro</em>, and their identification as <em>Pseudomonas</em> was confirmed through DNA analysis. Greenhouse trials with Xap-inoculated plants revealed that preventive application of each of the three isolates was more effective than curative, with UHSPS15A providing the highest protection. A talc-based formulation was developed using UHSPS15A. After evaluating its stability and efficacy in greenhouse Xap-inoculated pomegranates plants, open-fields trials indicated that among the three different treatment modes tested, the combined soil and foliar application achieved the highest disease protection and fruit yield, topping the standard antibiotic control. These findings recommend that integrating <em>Pseudomonas</em>-based bio-formulations into disease management strategies could significantly reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals, offering a sustainable alternative for controlling BB in pomegranate.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8880,"journal":{"name":"Biological Control","volume":"201 ","pages":"Article 105686"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143136348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}