Molecular identification, pathogenicity assessment, and cellulase and protease production of fungi associated with root rot of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.)

Isolation and Identification of Fusarium oxysporum Causing Cowpea Fusarium Wilt in Hainan and In Vitro Screening of Antagonistic Bacteria

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis, also known as yardlong bean) is an important winter horticultural crop in Hainan, and Fusarium wilt seriously threatens its yield and quality. To clarify the pathogen and screen antagonistic bacteria, surveys were conducted in 14 fields across Hainan’s major cowpea-growing areas. The causal agent was isolated, tested for pathogenicity, and identified using morphological and multigene molecular methods. Meanwhile, rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria from healthy plants were screened by dual culture, and candidate strains were phylogenetically analyzed using whole-genome sequencing (285 orthologous single-copy genes). Fusarium wilt occurred in all 14 fields (mean incidence 15.35%, range 3.20–76.40%). Of 44 fungal isolates, six were highly pathogenic and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Twenty-two bacterial strains showed stable antagonism against F. oxysporum, with inhibition rates ranging from 42.62% to 68.47%. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome sequences identified 15 Bacillus strains to the species level (12 B. velezensis, 2 B. subtilis, 1 B. tropicus), while the remaining seven strains belonged to Lysinibacillus (1), Pantoea (1), Klebsiella (1), Serratia (2), and Pseudomonas (2). Draft genome sequences of all 22 strains were obtained. This study provides a collection of biocontrol bacterial resources and genomic information for managing cowpea Fusarium wilt.

Akta Agrosia Morphological and Molecular Identification, Virulence, Host Range, and Cultural Requirements of Diaporthe vexans Associated with Eggplant Fruit Rot

Taxonomy, Biological Characterization, and Fungicide Sensitivity of a New Species, Cladobotryum hypsigum, Causing Cobweb Disease in Gold Mushroom (Pholiota conissans) in China.

In vitro fungicide sensitivity assays, performed using the hyphal growth inhibition method against six common fungicides, demonstrated that Carbendazim was the most effective agent, indicating significant selectivity.

Isolation and Identification of Fusarium proliferatum Associated with Fusarium Wilt of Phalaenopsis and Screening of Endophytic Fungi with Biocontrol Potential

Fusarium wilt of Phalaenopsis spp., caused by Fusarium species, is a major soil-borne disease that severely threatens the yield and ornamental quality of Phalaenopsis. Endophytic fungi can serve as natural biocontrol agents against soil-borne pathogens and have potential applications in biological control. In this study, a pathogenic isolate, HT-1, was obtained from Fusarium-wilted Phalaenopsis plants, and its pathogenicity was confirmed through inoculation assays on detached leaves and intact plants. Morphological observations, together with internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and translation elongation factor 1-α (TEF-1α) sequence analyses, identified HT-1 as Fusarium proliferatum. Seven endophytic fungi with strong antagonism against F. proliferatum were screened using a dual-culture assay. All seven isolates consistently inhibited five representative plant pathogens in vitro, showing broad-spectrum and promising biocontrol potential. Detached leaf inoculation assays showed that both Trichoderma virens and Trichoderma asperellum significantly reduced lesion area and disease severity caused by F. proliferatum, indicating potential application in disease management. In summary, this study identified seven endophytic fungi from Phalaenopsis with broad-spectrum antagonistic potential against multiple plant pathogenic fungi. Meanwhile, the protective effects of T. virens and T. asperellum against F. proliferatum were preliminarily evaluated using detached leaves. These findings provide theoretical reference and fungal resources for screening candidate biocontrol strains against Phalaenopsis Fusarium wilt and related plant diseases, and lay a foundation for future studies on biocontrol mechanisms, whole-plant efficacy verification, and practical application.

Antifungal Surfactin-Producing Bacillus subtilis MGM123 Suppresses Fusarium sambucinum and Primes Growth, Yield, and Defence Responses in Potato

Evaluation of Microbial Consortia of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens for the Management of Groundnut Stem Rot under Controlled Conditions

Scanning electron micrographs of Sclerotium rolfsii paired with effective Trichoderma and Bacillus isolates showed swollen hyphae with cell-wall damage, providing clear evidence of antagonistic interactions caused by volatile compounds produced by B. amyloliquefaciens and T. harzianum.