Biological control of Fusarium wilt of sesame by Penicillium bilaiae 47M-1

The purpose of the present study was to explore the control of Fusarium wilt of sesame caused by Fusarium oxysporum via Penicillium sp. 47M-1. Isolate 47M-1 was isolated from rhizosphere soil samples of tobacco and identified as Penicillium bilaiae based on morphological characteristics and ITS-rDNA, beta-tubulin and calmodulin sequences. Isolate 47M-1 inhibited the mycelial growth of F. oxysporum by 81.3% and overgrew the colonies of F. oxysporum in co-cultures. In a potting test, the control efficiency of isolate 47M-1 against Fusarium wilt of sesame was 50%, which was superior to that of Bacillus subtilis (P = 0.022). There was no significant difference (P = 0.068) in the control of Fusarium wilt between treatment with the fungicide carbendazim and treatment with isolate 47M-1. The results also showed that isolate 47M-1 and its culture filtrate significantly promoted the growth of sesame. Quantitative real time-PCR detection showed that the response-related genes NPR1, Coi1, PR1, PR2 and PR3 were significantly upregulated under the combined stimulation of isolate 47M-1 and F. oxysporum compared to their expression under F. oxysporum treatment alone. In conclusion, isolate 47M-1 can control Fusarium wilt of sesame via multiple mechanisms, including competition, production of inhibitory substances, promotion of plant growth and induction of disease resistance.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that Penicillium sp. 47M-1 can effectively control Fusarium wilt of sesame through various mechanisms, including competition, production of inhibitory substances, promotion of plant growth, and induction of disease resistance. These findings highlight the potential of 47M-1 as a biocontrol agent for managing Fusarium wilt in sesame crops.