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The efficacy of biofungicides on cashew wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum

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Abstract

Cashew wilt, caused by the soil borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum, is a fast spreading disease that is currently threatening the cashew industry in Tanzania, which is a major source of income for cashew growers and the country. The disease causes the death of the trees within a few weeks of infection. Cashew seedlings treated with either Bacillus strains or T. asperellum biofungicides developed significantly (p < 0.05) lower disease severity levels (0–7.54%) compared to untreated cashew seedlings (0–27.27%). No disease symptoms were observed on cashew seedlings treated with Bacillus velezensis strain 13/A + 3 at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mls of a spore suspension at 1 × 104, 2 × 104 and 3 × 104 ml of spore suspension. Under field conditions, cashew trees treated with biofungicides developed significantly (p < 0.001) lower disease severity of 0–11.49% and 0–12.98% in both seasons (2019/2020 and 2020/2021 respectively) compared to the untreated controls (60.05% and 59.71% respectively). Results from this study indicate the potential of the tested biological control agents in the management of cashew wilt disease caused by F. oxysporum. However, further studies are recommended to determine the shelf life and effectiveness of the biological control agents particularly in a field setting, as well as the efficacy of various formulations.

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Acknowledgements

The research is carried out by the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute – Naliendele center in collaboration with University of Dar es Salaam. Biofungicides development were supported by Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology in collaboration with National Research Foundation. Authors wish to thank Mr. Charles Kweyunga, Laboratory Technician (Botany Department) at the University of Dar es Salaam for his laboratory technical support. Authors would also like to acknowledge the University of Dar es Salaam and TARI - Naliendele for providing venue and important facilities for this study.

Funding

This study was financed by the Government of Tanzania through Cashew Research Programme (CRP) under Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute – Naliendele Center. CRP provided financial assistance including transport, laboratory items and subsistence allowance to the team of researchers who were fully involved in the investigation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute, Naliendele, Mtwara, Tanzania

    Stanslaus A. Lilai, Fortunus A. Kapinga, Wilson A. Nene & William V. Mbasa

  2. Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, College of Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Stanslaus A. Lilai, William V. Mbasa & Donatha D. Tibuhwa

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  1. Stanslaus A. Lilai
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  2. Fortunus A. Kapinga
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“SL: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data collection & processing, Formal analysis, preparing first draft, Reviewing. FA: Conceptualization, Reviewing and editing, Supervision. WN: Conceptualization, Methodology, Reviewing & editing, Data analysis, Supervision. WM: Methodology, Data collection & Analysis. DT: Conceptualization, Methodology, Reviewing & editing, Supervision. All authors reviewed the final version of the manuscript”.

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Correspondence to Stanslaus A. Lilai.

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Lilai, S.A., Kapinga, F.A., Nene, W.A. et al. The efficacy of biofungicides on cashew wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Eur J Plant Pathol 163, 453–465 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-022-02489-8

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