Screening and identification of Rhizopus oryzae XERF-1 and its effect on apple replant disease

The endophytic fungus Rhizopus oryzae XERF-1 was isolated from healthy roots of apple trees growing under replanted conditions and shown to have a strong competitive antagonistic effect against ARD (Apple Replant Disease)-related pathogenic Fusarium spp. (Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium proliferatum, and Fusarium solani). The inhibition rate of mycelial growth on PDA medium was more than 75%, and the antago-nistic coefficient reached level I. Pot experiment showed that treatment with an XERF-1 fertilizer significantly increased the growth of Malus hupehensis Rehd. seedlings, increased soil enzyme activities, root antioxidant enzyme activities, root architectural parameters, photosynthetic parameters, and the number of bacteria in replant soil, and reduced the number of soil fungi. Fluorescence The qPCR results showed that XERF-1 fertilizer significantly reduced the abundance of F. oxysporum in the soil, which was consistent with the high-throughput sequencing results, the relative abundance of the harmful Fusarium spp. was significantly reduced. In summary, XERF-1 has significant potential as a biological control agent against ARD.

Automated summary

XERF-1, an endophytic fungus isolated from healthy roots of apple trees, showed strong competitive antagonism against ARD-related pathogenic Fusarium species. Treatment with XERF-1 fertilizer significantly improved the growth of Malus hupehensis Rehd. seedlings and reduced the abundance of harmful Fusarium species in the soil.