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Silva IDO, Bessa LA, Reis MNO, Augusto DSS, Roweder C, Souchie EL, Vitorino LC. Endophytic Fungi Inoculation Reduces Ramulosis Severity in Gossypium hirsutum Plants. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1124. [PMID: 38930506 PMCID: PMC11205734 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Biotic stress in cotton plants caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Colletotrichum gossypii var. cephalosporioides triggers symptoms of ramulosis, a disease characterized by necrotic spots on young leaves, followed by death of the affected branch's apical meristem, plant growth paralysis, and stimulation of lateral bud production. Severe cases of ramulosis can cause up to 85% yield losses in cotton plantations. Currently, this disease is controlled exclusively by using fungicides. However, few studies have focused on biological alternatives for mitigating the effects of contamination by C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides on cotton plants. Thus, the hypothesis raised is that endophytic fungi isolated from an Arecaceae species (Butia purpurascens), endemic to the Cerrado biome, have the potential to reduce physiological damage caused by ramulosis, decreasing its severity in these plants. This hypothesis was tested using plants grown from seeds contaminated with the pathogen and inoculated with strains of Gibberella moniliformis (BP10EF), Hamigera insecticola (BP33EF), Codinaeopsis sp. (BP328EF), G. moniliformis (BP335EF), and Aspergillus sp. (BP340EF). C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides is a leaf pathogen; thus, the evaluations were focused on leaf parameters: gas exchange, chlorophyll a fluorescence, and oxidative metabolism. The hypothesis that inoculation with endophytic strains can mitigate physiological and photochemical damage caused by ramulosis in cotton was confirmed, as the fungi improved plant growth and stomatal index and density, increased net photosynthetic rate (A) and carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci), and decreased photochemical stress (ABS/RC and DI0/RC) and oxidative stress by reducing enzyme activity (CAT, SOD, and APX) and the synthesis of malondialdehyde (MDA). Control plants developed leaves with a low adaxial stomatal index and density to reduce colonization of leaf tissues by C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides due to the absence of fungal antagonism. The Codinaeopsis sp. strain BP328EF can efficiently inhibit C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides in vitro (81.11% relative inhibition), improve gas exchange parameters, reduce photochemical stress of chlorophyll-a, and decrease lipid peroxidation in attacked leaves. Thus, BP328EF should be further evaluated for its potential effect as a biological alternative for enhancing the resistance of G. hirsutum plants and minimizing yield losses caused by C. gossypii var. cephalosporioides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella de Oliveira Silva
- Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil; (I.d.O.S.); (E.L.S.)
- Simple Agro Corporation, 400 Parque General Borges Forte St., Jardim Goiás, Rio Verde 75903-421, Brazil; (L.A.B.); (D.S.S.A.)
| | - Layara Alexandre Bessa
- Simple Agro Corporation, 400 Parque General Borges Forte St., Jardim Goiás, Rio Verde 75903-421, Brazil; (L.A.B.); (D.S.S.A.)
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Genetics of Biodiversity, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil;
| | - Mateus Neri Oliveira Reis
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Genetics of Biodiversity, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil;
| | - Damiana Souza Santos Augusto
- Simple Agro Corporation, 400 Parque General Borges Forte St., Jardim Goiás, Rio Verde 75903-421, Brazil; (L.A.B.); (D.S.S.A.)
- Laboratory of Metabolism and Genetics of Biodiversity, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil;
| | - Charlys Roweder
- Laboratory of Silviculture and Forestry Production, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil;
| | - Edson Luiz Souchie
- Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil; (I.d.O.S.); (E.L.S.)
| | - Luciana Cristina Vitorino
- Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Federal Institute Goiano, Rio Verde Campus, Rio Verde 75901-970, Brazil; (I.d.O.S.); (E.L.S.)
- Simple Agro Corporation, 400 Parque General Borges Forte St., Jardim Goiás, Rio Verde 75903-421, Brazil; (L.A.B.); (D.S.S.A.)
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