Potential of the Volatile-Producing Fungus Nodulisporium sp. CF016 for the Control of Postharvest Diseases of Apple

Abstract

In vitro and in vivo mycofumigation effects of the volatileproducing fungus Nodulisporium sp. CF016 isolated from stem of Cinnamomum loureirii and the role of its volatile compounds were investigated against phytopathogenic fungi. The volatile compounds produced by Nodulisporium sp. CF016 inhibited and killed a wide range of plant and storage pathogens including to Pythium ultimum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, Phytophthora capsici, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Colletotrichum coccodes, Magnaporthe oryzae, Alternaria panax, Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum. Mycofumigation with wheat bran-rice hull cultures of Nodulisporium sp. CF016 showed in vivo antifungal activity against gray mold caused by B. cinerea and blue mold caused by P. expansum of apple. The most abundant volatile compound produced by Nodulisporium sp. CF016 was <TEX>$\beta$</TEX>-elemene followed by 1-methyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene, <TEX>$\beta$</TEX>-selinene and <TEX>$\alpha$</TEX>-selinene. Nodulisporium sp. CF016 could be an attractive mycofumigant in controlling postharvest diseases of various fruits including apple.