Biological control of banana anthracnose using fungal endophytes isolated from native plants of Mt. Makiling

Date

7-2016

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Major Course

Major in Plant Pathology

College

College of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Christian Joseph R. Cumagun

Abstract

Colletotrichum musae (Berkeley and Curtis) von Arx is a fungal pathogen causing banana anthracnose, a major postharvest fruit disease. The most common control of banana anthracnose is the application of fungicides. However, with the increasing awareness of the consumers about the negative effects of such chemicals on health, biological control becomes an alternative. Among the different mechanisms of biological control, mycofumigation or the presence of antagonistic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is more advantageous since the antagonist does not need direct contact with the pathogen and the VOC can reach and penetrate pores. One hundred six fungal endophytes from tropical plants of Mt. Makiling were assayed for VOC production in vitro using sealed plate assay. Sixteen isolates with more than 80% control were isolated: isolates mcb-6, al2-6, moraceae, 8-3, 1-6, 5-6, 13-6b, 10-6, TP-6, Pb-6, 1-3, L3-6, 14-6, 18-1, X, and 15-1. These isolates were assayed for VOC production in vivo where the two banana fingers, inoculated with C. musae, were exposed to fungal VOCs for two weeks. Only isolate mcb6 reduced the necrotic lesions significantly. Based on percent inhibition, moraceae inhibited the disease by 77.8% but is still not significantly different among other isolates. Other isolates either had growth inhibitions less than 70% or exacerbated the disease. Based on microscopic examinations, majority of the antagonistic fungalxiv endophytes is non-spore forming. The distinct features of these fungal endophytes were described. This study suggests that fungal endophytes from native plants of Mt. Makiling offer a wide source of potential biological control agents.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

LG 993.5 2015 A3 /V54

Document Type

Thesis

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