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Potential of Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus species as biocontrol agents against leaf blight of Citrullus lanatus (Egusi melon)

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Abstract

Egusi melon (Citrullus lanatus) is cultivated in Sub-Saharan Africa mainly for its edible seeds and oil. Its productivity is hindered by leaf blight disease (LBD) in Nigeria. Management of LBD with synthetic fungicides has negative consequences on humans and the environment, necessitating the need to explore biopesticides. This study investigated the antifungal potential of four microbial biocontrol agents (MiBAs) [Trichoderma harzianum (Th), T. pseudokoningii, Bacillus subtilis (Bs), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (Pf)] against Colletotrichum truncatum (Ct), Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Cg) and Lasiodiplodia theobromae (Lt) causing LBD of Egusi melon in vitro, using dual culture procedure and as seed treatment (1 g mycelial mat of Trichoderma species and 1 ml of Pf and Bs at 108 cfu/ml/50 seeds) under greenhouse conditions. Mycelial growth, zone of inhibition, disease incidence, severity, number of vines, number of leaves, and vine length were evaluated. Although all MiBAs showed antifungal properties, Trichoderma species were more effective than their bacterial counterparts in reducing mycelial growth. Antifungal substances (biotoxins) from the MiBAs were thermostable except on Lt. All MiBAs used as seed treatment significantly reduced disease incidence similarly to fungicide mancozeb, except Pf on Lt infected plants. MiBAs increased seed germination of Cg and Lt infected plants, while Th enhanced the plant growth. The antifungal potential of the four bioagents against LBD of Egusi melon was proven while Th (at 1 g/50 seeds) was the most effective, producing the highest pathogen inhibition and plant growth.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the management of the Post-Entry Quarantine, Surveillance and Diagnostic Station, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Moore Plantation Ibadan, Nigeria for providing diagnostics facilities. The contribution of Dr Oluwole Oguntade of Germplasm Health Unit, IITA Ibadan Nigeria, on the pathogen and bioagent identification is also well appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun, Nigeria

    Justina Folasayo Ogunsola & Kayode Ezekiel Ogunsola

  2. Crop Protection and Environmental Biology Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Justina Folasayo Ogunsola, Babatunde Ikotun & Olabisi Blessing Adesanmi

  3. Post-Entry Quarantine, Surveillance and Diagnostic Station, Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Shakiru Adewale Kazeem

  4. National Cereals Research Institutes, Ibadan Research Station, Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria

    Shina Salihu

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  1. Justina Folasayo Ogunsola
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Contributions

Conception and design were performed by [Justina Folasayo Ogunsola] and [Kayode Ezekiel Ogunsola]. The study was supervised by [Babatunde Ikotun]. Material preparation, laboratory analysis, and data collection and analysis were carried out by [Justina Folasayo Ogunsola], [Kayode Ezekiel Ogunsola], [Shina Salihu], [Shakiru Adewale Kazeem] and [Olabisi Blessing Adesanmi]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Ogunsola Justina] and [Kayode Ezekiel Ogunsola]. All authors reviewed the manuscript. Funding was by [Kayode Ezekiel Ogunsola]. All approved the final copy of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Justina Folasayo Ogunsola.

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Ogunsola, J.F., Ogunsola, K.E., Ikotun, B. et al. Potential of Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus species as biocontrol agents against leaf blight of Citrullus lanatus (Egusi melon). Indian Phytopathology (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42360-024-00755-9

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