Biocontrol efficacy of Wickerhamomyces anomalus on tomato field diseases and study of the relevant mechanisms via microbiome analysis

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are vulnerable to infections by pathogens found in a complex environment. Most of these infections are triggered by an imbalance between plant microorganisms and pathogens, leading to various tomato rots and high economic losses. This study aims to test the biocontrol ability of an antagonistic yeast, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, towards gray mold disease in tomatoes in the field and explore the relevant mechanisms through microbiome analysis of the microbial community on the surface of tomatoes. The results showed that W. anomalus decreased the tomato disease severity index during plant growth period, along with some changes in the microorganism community composition, including the increase of the abundance of some plant growth promotion bacteria such as Pantoea sp. and Pseudomonas sp. and biocontrol agents such as Golubevia sp. and Papiliotrema sp., and abundance decrease in some potential pathogens such as species of Alternaria. All these results suggest that W. anomalus could control tomato diseases in the field and the regulation in micro-organism composition might be a possible mechanism.

Automated summary

This study tested the biocontrol ability of an antagonistic yeast, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, against gray mold disease in tomatoes and explored the relevant mechanisms through microbiome analysis of the microbial community on the surface of tomatoes. The results showed that W. anomalus decreased the severity of tomato disease and caused changes in the microorganism community composition. These findings suggest that W. anomalus could be used for controlling tomato diseases in the field, with the regulation of microorganism composition being a possible mechanism.