Innovative biological control strategies for managing peach tree canker disease caused by Cytospora leucostoma

Peach Tree Canker, caused by Cytospora leucostoma, has traditionally been regarded as one of the most severe fungal diseases causing serious economic loss in peach production worldwide. Traditional chemical control methods against this pathogen are often inefficient and threaten environmental and human health. Within the frame of the present study, new alternative methods for biological control of peach tree canker have been investigated, taking advantage of useful microorganisms and plant extracts. Other experiments were conducted to assess the capability of bacterial antagonists to suppress the growth of C. leucostoma in combination with the antifungal properties of different plant extracts. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Aspergillus flavus showed 100 % inhibition of C. leucostoma in vitro with 80 % inhibition by Thuja extract. Field experiments showed that applications of these biocontrol agents in separated and combined greatly enhanced canker wound healing by 100 % of infected trees, significantly improving general plant health. The results showed that this combined treatment of bacterial and fungus antagonists with Thuja extract synergistically enhanced the plant's defense mechanisms. It concludes that the biocontrol strategy is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides for an efficient approach to managing peach tree canker in contemporary orchards.