Abstract
Pythium ultimum is an oomycetous root rot pathogen that causes significant crop production losses on many crops including kale (Brassica oleracea), an economically important vegetable in Thailand. An endophytic fungus from Thailand designated Muscodor albus MFC2 controlled P. ultimum both in vitro and on kale seedlings grown under outdoor conditions via the production of volatile antibiotics. Ten-day old M. albus MFC2 PDA cultures killed P. ultimum in vitro. Thoroughly mixing three PDA plates of 10-day old M. albus MFC2 into a 500 g mixture of commercial soil and field soil did not adversely affect kale seed germination. The same amount of M. albus MFC2 could restore seedling emergence in P. ultimum inoculated soil to a level close to that of a non-infested control. In addition, M. albus MFC2 did not cause any disease symptoms, but rather seemed to promote the growth of kale in the presence or absence of P. ultimum for up to eight weeks after planting.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atmosukarto I, Castillo U, Hess WM, Sears J, Strobel GA (2005) Isolation and characterization of Muscodor albus I-41.3s, a volatile antibiotic producing fungus. Plant Sci 169:854–861
Daisy BH, Strobel GA, Castillo U, Sears J, Weaver DK, Runyon JB (2002) Naphthalene production by Muscodor vitigenus, a novel endophytic fungus. Microbiology 148:3737–3741
Ezra D, Hess WM, Strobel GA (2004) New endophytic isolates of Muscodor albus, a volatile antibiotic producing fungus. Microbiology 150:4023–4031
Mercier J, Jiménez JI (2004) Control of fungal decay of apples and peaches by the biofumigant fungus Muscodor albus. Postharvest Biol Technol 31:1–8
Mercier J, Manker DC (2005) Biocontrol of soil-borne diseases and plant growth enhancement in greenhouse soilless mix by the volatile-producing fungus Muscodor albus. Crop Prot 24:355–362
Sopalun K, Strobel GA, Hess WM, Worapong J (2003) A record of Muscodor albus, an endophyte from Myristica fragrans in Thailand. Mycotaxon 88:239–248
Stinson AM, Zidak NK, Strobel GA, Jacobsen BJ (2003) Mycofumigation with Muscodor albus and Muscodor roseus for control of seedling diseases of sugar beet and Verticillium wilt of eggplant. Plant Dis 87:1349–1354
Strobel GA, Daisy B (2003) Bioprospecting for microbial endophytes and their natural products. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 67:491–502
Strobel GA, Dirksie E, Sears J, Markworth C (2001) Volatile antimicrobials from Muscodor albus, a novel endophytic fungus. Microbiology 147:2943–2950
Worapong J, Strobel GA, Ford EJ, Li JY, Baird G, Hess WM (2001) Muscodor albus anam. nov. an endophyte from Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Mycotaxon 79:67–79
Worapong J, Strobel GA, Daisy B, Castillo U, Baird G, Hess WM (2002) Muscodor roseus anna. nov. an endophyte from Grevillea pteridifolia. Mycotaxon 81:463–475
Acknowledgments
Financial assistance was provided by the Thailand Research Fund (TRF) number TR4680003 and the Montana R&C Board and USA-NSF. Our grateful appreciation is to Miss Monruedee Srisaisup, Miss Sudaporn Leuachai and Ms. Daungnate Isarangkul Na Ayutthaya for their kind help. We deeply appreciate Dr. Deven R. See, Associate Professor Nongluksana Sriubolmas and Associate Professor Mike Giroux for reviewing the manuscript. We thank Professor Wichai Boonsaeng and Professor Prasert Sopon for their encouragement to pursue this project.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Handling editor: Monica Höfte.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Worapong, J., Strobel, G.A. Biocontrol of a root rot of kale by Muscodor albus strain MFC2. BioControl 54, 301–306 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-008-9175-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-008-9175-8