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Open-field-grown tomatoes in Saudi Arabia are stressed by poor soil fertility because of the low organic matter content, low nutrient availability, and high pH. Thus, high chemical fertilizer inputs are crucial for commercial production; however, they cause economic loss as well as negatively affect environmental sustainability. The use of efficient organic fertilizers would be useful for developing more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable agriculture. The current study evaluated the impact of Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) frass (BSFF) fertilizer applications as organic fertilizer on postharvest fruit quality and shelf life of open-field-grown F1 hybrid 'Sinag Tala' tomatoes compared with those grown under control treatment (received recommended doses of chemical fertilizers for tomato production under open field conditions). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The results showed that the application of BSFF fertilizer, especially at the higher rate (5 ton/ha; BSFF3), improved the overall quality of tomato fruit. The BSFF fertilizer treatments reduced weight loss, maintained higher firmness, antioxidants [vitamin C, total phenol content (TPC) and total flavinoid (TFC)], total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA) contents, and lowered the TSS/TA ratio of fruits during shelf life compared with those of the control. The decay incidence was only detected after 9 days of shelf life and was significantly lower in all the BSFF fertilizer treatments (range, 8.40%-12.05%) than in the control (15.9%). In addition, BSFF fertilizer treatments reduced both disease incidence and severity of gray mold following pathogen inoculation during shelf life compared with those of the control. These results might be attributable to the higher antioxidants content (vitamin C, TPC, and TFC) and higher polyphenol oxidase activity in BSFF-fertilized tomatoes. In conclusion, BSFF fertilizer could be used as a potential eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve tomato fruit quality during shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, is a significant threat to tomato production. Traditional chemical control methods have become increasingly ineffective because of the development of resistance. This study aimed to isolate methanol-utilizing bacteria from tomato leaves and evaluate their biocontrol potential against gray mold. To obtain bacterial suspensions, tomato leaf samples were collected and washed. We analyzed the microbial communities of these samples using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and identified several methylotrophic strains. Among these, 405 isolated strains were cultivated on a solid low-nutrient inorganic salt medium containing methanol, and 7 strains exhibiting considerable antifungal activity against B. cinerea were identified. Greenhouse tests revealed that two strains--SY163 and SY183--significantly reduced the severity of gray mold on tomato leaves. Disease index scores and the area under the disease progress curve values confirmed the efficacy of these strains as biocontrol agents. Statistical analysis indicated the effectiveness of pre- and co-application of these strains with B. cinerea. Phylogenetic analysis identified Serratia rubidaea as the inhibitory strain. The biocontrol activity is likely mediated through the production of antifungal compounds and suppression of B. cinerea sporulation. This study provides the basis for developing a technology of gray mold suppression by controlling the abundance of S. rubidaea in plant microbial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The present study explores the use of two different growth supports for the biocontrol yeasts Aureobasidium pullulans M13, C10, R34 and P17, by use of nutrient yeast glucose (NYDA) agar and hydrogel spheres as the support matrix, then evaluates their impact on the production of volatile compounds (VOCs) and the subsequent in vitro and in vivo antagonistic activity against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum. RESULTS: For the in vitro assay, VOCs secreted by the isolates C10 and M13 encased in the hydrogel spheres showed greater inhibitory activity on the mycelial growth of B. cinerea (70.30%) and C. acutatum (52.35%), respectively, with respect to NYDA. For solid‐phase microextraction‐gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, VOCs produced by the selected yeasts immobilized in the hydrogel spheres or cultured in the agar were identified. VOCs were grouped as alcohols, ketones, alkane and aldehyde, with phenylethyl alcohol and 1‐propanol‐2‐methyl being the most prominently produced. The analysis revealed variations in both quantity and composition of VOCs among the growth supports, indicating the hydrogel spheres as enhancer distinct metabolic pathways and substrate utilization of the isolates, particularly in the M13 isolate. CONCLUSION: The antifungal activity of the VOCs produced in the hydrogel spheres by the isolates C10 and M13 was assessed on strawberries, demonstrating a significant reduction in disease incidences. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The SO2-generating pads contain different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite, which absorbs water from the grapes' transpiration, releasing SO2 gas, and there are slow-(SlowSO2) and dual (DualSO2)-releasing pads (fast release in the first 48 h and slow for up to 60 days). The ultra-fast SO2-generating pad (FieldSO2) releases the SO2 quickly for up to 6 h, and it was designed to be used soon after the harvest and until the grapes' packaging. The goal was to study the effect of FieldSO2 associated with SlowSO2 and DualSO2 pads on gray mold incidence and physicochemical and appearance characteristics of 'Italia' table grapes. Grapes were harvested from a commercial vineyard in Parana, Brazil, in 2020 and 2021, and packaged in cardboard boxes, and the treatments were as follows: control (without SO2-generating pads); FieldSO2 + SlowSO2; and FieldSO2 + DualSO2. After 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days of cold storage (1 ± 1 °C), the grapes were assessed for gray mold incidence, mass loss, shattered berries, stem browning, and filamentous fungi on the surface. The use of FieldSO2 associated with SO2-generating pads is effective in controlling gray mold on 'Italia' table grapes, especially the treatment FieldSO2 + DualSO2, which provides the lowest incidence of the disease up to 90 days of cold storage, while the combination with SlowSO2 results in intermediate efficacy. Treatments combining these SO2-generating pads extend the postharvest shelf life of 'Italia' grapes, with few shattered berries, low mass loss and freshness of the rachis without impairing the bunch's appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botrytis cinerea, commonly known as gray mold, is a pervasive fungal pathogen that affects a wide range of plant species, leading to significant agricultural losses. The identification of Botrytis cinerea in Malaysia is crucial for protecting the agricultural sector, minimizing economic losses, ensuring food security, maintaining export quality, addressing environmental concerns, and advancing scientific research. In the present research, tomato fruits collected from Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia showed gray mold disease symptoms of B. cinerea. The fungal isolates were examined morphologically for colony colour, growth rate, conidiophores, conidia shape, and sclerotia on PDA and V8 agar. According to the results, conidiophores appeared in grape shape and length was range of 21.26-32.52 pm, ovoid conidial dimensions were in the range of 10.03-16.08 x 7.37-11.15 pm and sclerotia size was range 1.91-4.50 x 1.70-4.00 mm. All isolates were attributed to the morphospecies Botrytis cinerea on account of these characteristics. The resulting sequences deposited in GenBank were accessions MT012053 to MT012062, respectively. A BLAST analysis of the resulting 550-bp nucleotide sequences showed 99-100% identity closest matched to B. cinerea. The pathogenicity experiments showed P6 isolates of B. cinerea were highly pathogenic and caused gray mold development on tomato fruits that led to severe symptoms in five days. Meanwhile, the least pathogenic isolate was P9. In terms of temperature, B. cinerea grew faster on PDA at 20°C, slower grew below 20°C and did not grow at 25°C. Identification and characterization of B. cinerea on tomato could potentially provide information to assist disease management strategies for B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Biocontrol agents (BCAs) are alternatives to synthetic fungicides with low risk to the environment and human health. Although several studies on the biocontrol of gray mold in vineyards have been performed, it is necessary to improve the usage of BCAs in fields conditions. Therefore, in the present study, BCAs were used both in calendar‐based [based on four growth stages (GSs), i.e., flowering, pre‐bunch closure, veraison, and before harvest] and predictive model‐based strategies (only when Botrytis cinerea infection risk was predicted by the model). The BCAs applied during the seasons were selected considering the grapevine GSs. Treatments performed with BCAs were compared with synthetic fungicide treatments and an untreated control. The trials were conducted in three experimental vineyards with four epidemics. To evaluate the level of gray mold control of each treatment, disease severity was assessed at harvest and the presence of latent infection was evaluated. RESULTS: The integrative use of the predictive model and BCAs provided satisfactory levels of gray mold control, with gray mold severity levels significantly lower (P < 0.001) than those of the untreated control, which had severity values (< 7%) similar to those observed with synthetic fungicides following both calendar and model‐based strategies. CONCLUSIONS: The integrative use of the predictive model and BCAs represents a valid alternative to conventional methods of gray mold control in vineyards, with more than 75% reduction in fungicide usage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Stilbenoid extracts, such as those originating from grapevine by‐products (e.g. canes), are of interest for use as biopesticides in vineyard owing to their antimicrobial activities. However, stilbenoids are unstable in the environment, especially under light. This study aimed to chemically characterize the effect of UV light on stilbenoids present in a grapevine cane extract (CE), and to evaluate the antimicrobial activities against two major grapevine pathogens (Plasmopara viticola and Botrytis cinerea) of grapevine extracts exposed to UV. RESULTS: Treatment with UV (365 nm) on a grapevine CE led to degradation of stilbenoids (up to 71% after 1 h). The stilbenoid stability depended on their chemical structure: only those possessing CC, as trans‐resveratrol and trans‐ε‐viniferin, were affected with first their isomerization and secondly their oxidation/cyclization. As a consequence, UV‐exposed extracts (UV‐CEs) showed reduced antimicrobial activities against the two pathogens (mycelium and spores). For instance, regarding P. viticola, an UV‐CE exposed during 4 h showed an almost total loss of its activity on oomycete development and a 2.4‐fold inhibition of zoospore mobility in comparison to CE. For B. cinerea, the inhibition capacity of the same UV‐CE was reduced by only 1.1‐fold on mycelial development and by 3.2‐fold on conidial germination compared to CE. CONCLUSION: UV light triggered modifications on the structure of bioactive stilbenoids, resulting in losses of their antimicrobial activities. Photoprotection of stilbenoids has to be considered in the perspective of using them in vineyards as biopesticides. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gray mold of roses, caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, is an economically notorious disease and a well-known economic menace, leading to substantial annual losses estimated at no less than 30% of production. This disease takes a toll not only on the marketability of cut rose flowers but also on consumer and importer confidence due to the unsightly symptoms it induces. This fungus influences the rose foliage throughout cultivation, transportation, storage, and marketing. The interplay of conducive environmental conditions and genetic factors plays significant roles in developing the rose gray mold on rose flowers during the pre- and post-harvest phases. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying B. cinerea-rose interactions are poorly understood, and the knowledge of how rose plants defend themselves against B. cinerea infection is not comprehensively investigated. It is worth noting that breeding for resistance to discover genetically resistant roses toward gray mold was unsuccessful despite research conducted over the past century. Consequently, synthetic fungicides remain the primary approach to controlling Botrytis blight in roses during the pre- and post-harvest stages. However, this measure has several drawbacks, including the emergence of fungicide-resistant B. cinerea and endangering human and animal health due to chemical residues in the food chain. This review aims to offer a comprehensive update on recent research findings on the biology and management of B. cinerea infection in roses and to propose novel strategies for managing gray mold disease.

Gray mold of roses, caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea, is an economically notorious disease and a well-known economic menace, leading to substantial annual losses estimated at no less than 30% of production. This disease takes a toll not only on the marketability of cut rose flowers but also on consumer and importer confidence due to the unsightly symptoms it induces. This fungus influences the rose foliage throughout cultivation, transportation, storage, and marketing. The interplay of conducive environmental conditions and genetic factors plays significant roles in developing the rose gray mold on rose flowers during the pre- and post-harvest phases. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying B. cinerea-rose interactions are poorly understood, and the knowledge of how rose plants defend themselves against B. cinerea infection is not comprehensively investigated. It is worth noting that breeding for resistance to discover genetically resistant roses toward gray mold was unsuccessful despite research conducted over the past century. Consequently, synthetic fungicides remain the primary approach to controlling Botrytis blight in roses during the pre- and post-harvest stages. However, this measure has several drawbacks, including the emergence of fungicide-resistant B. cinerea and endangering human and animal health due to chemical residues in the food chain. This review aims to offer a comprehensive update on recent research findings on the biology and management of B. cinerea infection in roses and to propose novel strategies for managing gray mold disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: Gene silencing of BcDCL genes improves gray mold disease control in the cultivated strawberry. Gene silencing technology offers new opportunities to develop new formulations or new pathogen-resistant plants for reducing impacts of agricultural systems. Recent studies offered the proof of concept that the symptoms of gray mold can be reduced by downregulating Dicer-like 1 (DCL1) and 2 (DCL2) genes of Botrytis cinerea. In this study, we demonstrate that both solutions based on dsRNA topical treatment and in planta expression targeting BcDCL1 and BcDCL2 genes can be used to control the strawberry gray mold, the most harmful disease for different fruit crops. 50, 70 and 100 ng μL−1 of naked BcDCL1/2 dsRNA, sprayed on plants of Fragaria x ananassa cultivar Romina in the greenhouse, displayed significant reduction of susceptibility, compared to the negative controls, but to a lesser extent than the chemical fungicide. Three independent lines of Romina cultivar were confirmed for their stable expression of the hairpin gene construct that targets the Bc-DCL1 and 2 sequences (hp-Bc-DCL1/2), and for the production of hp construct-derived siRNAs, by qRT-PCR and Northern blot analyses. In vitro and in vivo detached leaves, and fruits from the hp-Bc-DCL1/2 lines showed significantly enhanced tolerance to this fungal pathogen compared to the control. This decreased susceptibility was correlated to the reduced fungal biomass and the downregulation of the Bc-DCL1 and 2 genes in B. cinerea. These results confirm the potential of both RNAi-based products and plants for protecting the cultivated strawberry from B. cinerea infection, reducing the impact of chemical pesticides on the environment and the health of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most strawberry growers in Brazil use imported transplants due to their higher quality in terms of plant health and productivity. However, there is a risk of entry of quiescently infecting pathogens such as Botrytis species and/or isolates resistant to different fungicides. In this work, we investigated the incidence of Botrytis in imported transplants, and identified the species. In addition, isolates were characterized for their pathogenicity in fruit and sensitivity to seven fungicides (procymidone, fludioxonil, iprodione, cyprodinil, pyrimethanil, boscalid and fluazinam). The average incidence of Botrytis spp. in transplants imported from Chile, Argentina, and Spain was 43.5%. A total of 79 isolates were identified molecularly as B. cinerea and the pathogenicity in fruit was confirmed for a subsample of 14 isolates. To evaluate sensitivity to fungicides, the following discriminatory doses were used: procymidone (P) (10 µg/mL), fludioxonil (F) (0.5 µg/mL), iprodione (I) (10 µg/mL), cyprodinil (C) (10 µg/mL), pyrimethanil (PY) (10 µg/mL), boscalid (B) (50 µg/mL) and fluazinam (FL) (1 µg/mL). As a result, 24 resistant phenotypes were identified with the most frequent being the phenotype with resistance to three fungicides (C-PY-B). The isolates with low sensitivity to cyprodinil and pyrimethanil fungicides, which are not yet widely used in Brazil, represent a risk for strawberry production and should be considered in disease management and future fungicide monitoring programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers. Fr., is one of the most vital plant diseases, causing extensive pre- and post-harvest losses in apple fruits. In the current study, we isolated and identified two potential endophytic bioagents, Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces endus. Both bioagents exhibited a potent fungistatic effect against B. cinerea under both in vitro and in planta conditions. Moreover, two experiments were carried out; (i) the first experiment was conducted at room temperature after artificial inoculation with B. cinerea to monitor the progression of the infection and the corresponding biochemical responses of the apples. Our in vivo findings showed that the treated B. cinerea-infected apple fruits with the cell-free bacterial filtrate of B. subtilis and S. endus (dipping or wrapping) significantly reduced the rotten area of the treated apple at room temperature. Additionally, B. subtilis and S. endus enhanced the enzymatic (POX and PPO) and non-enzymatic (phenolics and flavonoids) antioxidant defense machinery in treated apples. (ii) The second experiment focused on the preventive effects of both bioagents over a 90-day storage period at 1 °C of healthy apples (no artificial inoculation). The application of both bacterial filtrates prolonged the storage period, reduced the relative weight loss, and maintained high-quality parameters including titratable acidity, firmness, and total soluble solids of apple fruits under cold storage at 1 °C. The Kaplan–Meier analysis of rotten apples over 90 days during cold storage showed that the treated apples lasted longer than the non-treated apples. Moreover, the lifespan of apple fruits dipped in the culture filtrate of B. subtilis, or a fungicide, was increased, with no significant differences, compared with the non-treated apples. The current results showed the possibility of using both bioagents as a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides to control gray mold disease in apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the postharvest storage of tomatoes, they are susceptible to infection by Botrytis cinerea, leading to significant economic losses. This study evaluated the antifungal potential of 2-heptanol (2-HE), a volatile biogenic compound, against B. cinerea and explored the underlying antifungal mechanism. The results indicated that 2-HE effectively suppressed the growth of B. cinerea mycelia both in vivo and in vitro and stimulated the activities of antioxidative enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in tomatoes. Furthermore, 2-HE reduced spore viability, compromised membrane integrity, and resulted in increased levels of extracellular nucleic acids, protein content, and membrane lipid peroxidation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that 2-HE disrupted the membrane transport system and enhanced amino acid metabolism, which led to intracellular nutrient depletion and subsequent B. cinerea cell death. Additionally, the 2-HE treatment did not negatively impact the appearance or quality of the tomatoes. In conclusion, the findings of this study offer insights into the use of 2-HE as a biocontrol agent in food and agricultural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea (Pers., 1794), the causative agent of gray mold disease, causes significant losses in agricultural production. Control of this fungal pathogen is quite difficult due to its wide host range and environmental persistence. Currently, the management of the disease is still mainly based on chemicals, which can have harmful effects not only on the environment and on human health but also because they favor the development of strains resistant to fungicides. The flexibility and plasticity of B. cinerea in challenging plant defense mechanisms and its ability to evolve strategies to escape chemicals require the development of new control strategies for successful disease management. In this review, some aspects of the host-pathogen interactions from which novel and sustainable control strategies could be developed (e.g., signaling pathways, molecules involved in plant immune mechanisms, hormones, post-transcriptional gene silencing) were analyzed. New biotechnological tools based on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) are emerging in the crop protection scenario as versatile, sustainable, effective, and environmentally friendly alternatives to the use of chemicals. RNAi-based fungicides are expected to be approved soon, although they will face several challenges before reaching the market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open-field-grown tomatoes in Saudi Arabia are stressed by poor soil fertility because of the low organic matter content, low nutrient availability, and high pH. Thus, high chemical fertilizer inputs are crucial for commercial production; however, they cause economic loss as well as negatively affect environmental sustainability. The use of efficient organic fertilizers would be useful for developing more cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and sustainable agriculture. The current study evaluated the impact of Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) frass (BSFF) fertilizer applications as organic fertilizer on postharvest fruit quality and shelf life of open-field-grown F1 hybrid ‘Sinag Tala’ tomatoes compared with those grown under control treatment (received recommended doses of chemical fertilizers for tomato production under open field conditions). The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with four replicates. The results showed that the application of BSFF fertilizer, especially at the higher rate (5 ton/ha; BSFF3), improved the overall quality of tomato fruit. The BSFF fertilizer treatments reduced weight loss, maintained higher firmness, antioxidants [vitamin C, total phenol content (TPC) and total flavinoid (TFC)], total soluble solids (TSS), and titratable acidity (TA) contents, and lowered the TSS/TA ratio of fruits during shelf life compared with those of the control. The decay incidence was only detected after 9 days of shelf life and was significantly lower in all the BSFF fertilizer treatments (range, 8.40%-12.05%) than in the control (15.9%). In addition, BSFF fertilizer treatments reduced both disease incidence and severity of gray mold following pathogen inoculation during shelf life compared with those of the control. These results might be attributable to the higher antioxidants content (vitamin C, TPC, and TFC) and higher polyphenol oxidase activity in BSFF-fertilized tomatoes. In conclusion, BSFF fertilizer could be used as a potential eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers to improve tomato fruit quality during shelf life.

Theanine (N-ethyl-γ-glutamine), as a unique non-protein amino acid, plays vital roles in abiotic stress resistance, while its roles in biotic stress resistance are still unclear. Gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major disease in strawberries. Effects of theanine on the development of gray mold, cell-wall and phenylpropanoid metabolisms in strawberries were investigated in this study. Results showed that 5 mmol L−1 theanine treatment reduced disease incidence and severity of gray mold in strawberries with antifungal activity in vitro. Meanwhile, theanine treatment enhanced the accumulation of phenolic compounds and lignin, especially ellagic acid, cyanidin, and quercetin, which was associated with increased phenylpropanoid pathway related enzyme activities. Moreover, theanine induced callose deposition and suppressed cell- wall disassembling enzymes, accompanied by higher levels of water insoluble pectin, hemicellulose and cellulose. Therefore, theanine treatment could alleviate decay of B. cinerea-inoculated strawberries by regulating phenylpropanoid and cell-wall metabolisms, maintaining higher levels of phenolic compounds and cell-wall components, thereby contributing to disease resistance and cell-wall structure integrity.

Botrytis cinerea is among the most important fungal pathogens in ornamental greenhouses due to its ability to cause severe Botrytis blight on various crops throughout the year. Fungicides are a key component in disease management programs, but frequencies of resistance in pathogen populations are notoriously high, leading to its role as a model system for fungicide resistance research. Here, we present seven high-quality genomes of North American B. cinerea sensu lato isolates collected from ornamental greenhouses with resistance (five) or sensitivity (two) to seven chemical classes representative of all commonly used site-specific fungicides. This resource can contribute to the exploration of multifungicide resistance mechanisms, host specificity, and geographic relatedness in populations of B. cinerea. [Figure: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Botrytis cinerea is one of the main pathogens that harm the tomato yield and cause huge economic losses worldwide. Studies of circRNAs in response to the stress caused by pathogens have received more and more attention in tomato and other model crops. In this study, four groups were treated with ZaoFen (ZF), CuiLi (CL) (susceptible and tolerant genotypes to B. cinerea, respectively), ZFBc, CLBc (48 hour response to a B. cinerea infection). A total of 918 circRNAs were identified, among which exonic circRNAs (70.70%) accounted for the majority of them, and 118 circRNAs (12.85%) were located in chr1. A total of 18 (1.96%) circRNAs were shared among the four libraries. A total of 6 circRNAs showed fold changes in the differential expression analysis between the time and cultivar control groups, and circRNA115, circRNA145 and circRNA223 repeatedly appeared in the different control treatments. Notably, the gene targeted by circRNA115 was an ethylene-forming enzyme. At the same time, we predicted the target genes of the six circRNAs obtained in the study, and a total of 319 miRNAs were predicted. This study contributes to the mechanism in response to B. cinerea stress in the tomato, and paves the way for the further study of circRNAs under tomato pathogen stress.

Bell pepper presents rapid weight loss and is highly susceptible to gray mold caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea. The most employed method to control this disease is the application of synthetic fungicides such as thiabendazole (TBZ); however, its continued use causes resistance in fungi as well as environmental problems. For these reasons, natural alternatives arise as a more striking option. Currently, bell pepper fruits are coated with carnauba wax (CW) to prevent weight loss and improve appearance. Moreover, CW can be used as a carrier to incorporate essential oils, and previous studies have shown that thyme essential oil (TEO) is highly effective against B. cinerea. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of CW combined with TEO on the development of gray mold and maintenance of microestructural and postharvest quality in bell pepper stored at 13°C. The minimal inhibitory concentration of TEO was 0.5%. TEO and TBZ provoked the leakage of intracellular components. TEO and CW + TEO treatments were equally effective to inhibit the development of gray mold. On the quality parameters, firmness and weight loss were ameliorated with CW and CW + TEO treatments; whereas lightness increased in these treatments. The structural analysis showed that CW + TEO treatment maintained the cell structure reducing the apparition of deformities. The results suggest that CW + TEO treatment could be used as a natural and effective antifungal retarding the appearance of gray mold and maintaining the postharvest quality of bell pepper. Practical Application: CW and TEO are classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This combination can be employed on the bell pepper packaging system to extend shelf life and oppose gray mold developments. Bell pepper fruits are normally coated with lipid‐base coatings such as CW before commercialization; therefore, TEO addition would represent a small investment without any changes on the packaging system infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mold caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea is one of the most destructive diseases in rose (Rosa spp.). Rose infection by B. cinerea leads to severe economic losses due to necrosis, tissue collapse, and rot. In rose, cytokinins (CKs) positively regulate a defense response to B. cinerea , but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Here, we characterized two ethylene/jasmonic acid-regulated transcription factors, RhEFR005 and RhCCCH12, that bind to the promoter region of PATHOGENESIS-RELATED 10.1 (RhPR10.1) and promote its transcription, leading to decreased susceptibility to B. cinerea. The RhEFR005/RhCCCH12–RhPR10.1 module regulated cytokinin content in rose, and the susceptibility of RhEFR005 -, RhCCCH12 -, and RhPR10.1 -silenced rose petals can be rescued by exogenous CK. In summary, our results reveal that the RhERF005/RhCCCH12–RhPR10.1 module regulates the CK-induced defense response of rose to B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the risks they pose to human and environmental health, there has been a strong push in recent times to reduce the use of chemical fungicides in phytopathogen treatment. In the present study, vicilin was isolated from kidney bean seeds and characterized by SDS-PAGE, zeta potential, and pH solubility curve. The a/(85 KDa), a (70 KDa), and ß (60 KDa) subunits were represented by three distinct protein bands in vicilin. The linear growth of B. cinerea was clearly reduced by 12.96%, 14.81%, 25.92%, 35.18%, and 40.73% in response to vicilin application at 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 µg/ml, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of vicilin-exposed B. cinerea revealed hyphae enlargement and conidia distortion. Addition of vicilin from kidney bean seeds clearly reduced the disease incidence in a concentration-dependent manner (100, 200, and 400 µg/mL). The higher doses (400 µg/mL) of vicilin provided higher activity in decreasing the disease severity of the strawberry fruits. As a sustainable glycoprotein, vicilin, found in kidney bean seeds, can be used to combat postharvest fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botrytis cinerea Pers., the causal agent of gray mold, is an airborne pathogen that causes significant damage to tomato crops worldwide at all development stages and post-harvest. In this study, the aqueous extract of Capsicum annuum seeds was screened for its phytochemical constituents and assessed at various concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 60%) for antifungal activity in vitro. Selected biochemical, pathological, agronomical, physicochemical, and morphometrical traits were investigated to determine the effectiveness of applying the aqueous seed extract and salicylic acid both separately or in combination to tomato seeds and fruits in vivo. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous seed extract showed the presence of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, phenolic and flavonoid contents, quinic acid, protocatechuic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, trans-ferulic acid, rutin, quercetin-3-o-rhamonosic, kaempferol, naringenin, and apigenin at various concentrations. The findings suggested that the aqueous extract at a concentration of 60% was most efficient in vitro where mycelial growth was < 3.8 mm, mycelial growth inhibition was > 52%, and mycelial growth rate of < 1.05 mm/h. In vivo, the combined treatments of tomato seeds produced the greatest reduction in gray mold damage (disease severity index 8.67%) and the most favorable growth parameters of seedlings were chlorophyll a > 1.50 mg/g.f.Wt.; chlorophyll b > 1.76 mg/g.f. Wt.; total chlorophyll content > 3.26 mg/g.f.Wt.; seedling fresh weight > 0.43 g; seedling length > 12.43 cm, respectively. Combined preventive treatment applied to tomato fruits inoculated with B. cinerea resulted in the lowest disease severity (percentage of fruit area covered by gray mold < 33.33%; disease severity index < 46.67%) and the most favorable physicochemical attributes (water content < 98.28%; juice yield > 53.35%; pH < 3.59; titratable acidity > 1.37 g/10 ml juice; Brix degree > 4.73; nitrate content < 383.33 mg/kg; electrical conductivity < 2.47 mS/cm) and morphometrical attributes (fruit firmness > 3.03). The combined treatments resulted in the strongest activity of peroxidase (> 4.162 units/mg/min), ascorbate peroxidase (> 31.66 µmol/mg/min), and malondialdehyde (> 3.90 µmol/g) on the tomato fruits. The aqueous extract of C. annuum seeds combined with salicylic acid had positive effects in terms of inhibiting B. cinerea and is thus a promising and environmentally friendly alternative substitute for chemical fungicides towards sustainable agriculture under climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are long-lived trees that create deep shade and litter layers, and have limited recruitment from seedlings. Botrytis cinerea is an airborne fungal pathogen that attacks redwood seedlings. B. cinerea lives as a saprotroph in dead plant matter or as a necrotroph in live tissue. In the coast redwood forest, accumulated leaf litter may provide inoculum for subsequent infections, limiting redwood seedling recruitment. Here, we examine the response of B. cinerea to fire in the coast redwood forest. We measured the abundance of airborne B. cinerea spores in paired burned and unburned plots using a selective and diagnostic medium. In a greenhouse experiment, we grew seedlings in four different treatments: (1) burned soil with no leaf litter, (2) unburned soil with no leaf litter, (3) burned soil with leaf litter collected from the burn plot, (4) unburned soil with leaf litter collected from the unburned plot. Spore trapping showed no difference in the abundance of airborne spores in the paired plots. The seedling experiment showed that disease was greatest and survival lowest when grown in burned soil; leaf litter collected from burned plots reduced survival while leaf litter from not-burned plots increased survival. These results indicate that fire did not affect airborne B. cinerea and post-fire conditions did not provide favorable growth conditions for coast redwood seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence of gray mold is the main cause of rot and spoilage in grapes, and Botrytis cinerea is the main causative agent of gray mold. The aim of this study is to clarify the inhibitory effect of flavonoids from Sedum aizoon L. (FSAL) on gray mold of grapes and to provide some basis for the development of new natural plant-derived antifungal agents. The effect of FSAL on the disease resistance of grapes was investigated by measuring the disease incidence and lesion diameter. The effect of FSAL on fruit quality was studied by measuring pondus hydrogenii (pH), total soluble solid (TSS), ascorbic acid (AA) and soluble sugar content. The activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were used to explore the effect of FSAL on the antioxidant capacities in grapes. The effects of FSAL on the ethylene synthesis in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in grapes were investigated by measuring the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the relative expression of VvACS1, VvACO1, VvACO2, and VvACO3 genes. The results showed that FSAL treatment reduced disease incidence and lesion diameter, increased AA content in fruit and thus maintained fruit quality. FSAL treatment significantly increased CAT, POD, PAL, and SOD activities in fruit, and reduced the relative expression of the genes. In conclusion, FSAL has a certain inhibitory effect on gray mold while not affecting grape quality, and delays the ripening and aging of fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was a safe, efficient and feasible way to control diseases by antagonizing pathogenic bacteria with microorganisms. Screening and identification of microorganisms on the fruit surface were carried out in order to obtain a biological control strain that can effectively inhibit gray mold. Morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of the biocontrol strain H-1 against Botrytis cinerea were analyzed, and combined with the 16S rDNA sequence analysis and gyrB gene sequence analysis to construct a phylogenetic tree. The antifungal effects of antagonistic H-1 on vitro and pear fruit surface were determined by plate confrontation method combined with fruit wound experiments. H-1 strain was identified as Bacillus velezensis. B. velezensis H-1 could significantly inhibit the hyphae growth of Botrytis cinerea, Alternaria tenuissima and Fusarium verticillioides on vitro, among which inhibitory effect on Botrytis cinerida hyphae was the strongest. Fruit wound experiments showed that 1x1011 CFU/mL of B. velezensis H-1 could completely inhibit the growth of Botrymyces on the surface of pear fruit. B. velezensis H-1 could effectively inhibit the occurrence of Botrytis cinerea in postharvest pear fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of fungicides, many of which are of chemical origin and are governed by stringent laws, such as maximum residual limits (MRLs), has proven to be the most successful method to date, especially when used prior to harvest. In light of regulatory compliance and public health considerations, there is interest in exploring fungicides of natural origin as alternatives to chemical fungicides. The objective of this study is to validate the antifungal potential of reuterin at the postharvest stage and to compare it over a commercial fungicide, fludioxonil, by in vivo testing on common strawberry pathogens, including Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum acutatum, Rhizopus stolonifer, and Penicillium expansum. Analysis of strawberries stored at 4 °C/95 % RH for 12 d revealed that 2000 mM squalene and 100 mM reuterin did not adversely affect fruit quality parameters such as color, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, weight loss, and visual quality. Reuterin at 50 mM resulted in a sizable decrease in spore count of 3 log CFU mL−1 (p = 0.003). These results suggest that reuterin may be promising as a potential new biofungicide suitable for pre- and post-harvest application.

Coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) are long-lived trees that create deep shade and litter layers, and have limited recruitment from seedlings. Botrytis cinerea is an airborne fungal pathogen that attacks redwood seedlings. B. cinerea lives as a saprotroph in dead plant matter or as a necrotroph in live tissue. In the coast redwood forest, accumulated leaf litter may provide inoculum for subsequent infections, limiting redwood seedling recruitment. Here, we examine the response of B. cinerea to fire in the coast redwood forest. We measured the abundance of airborne B. cinerea spores in paired burned and unburned plots using a selective and diagnostic medium. In a greenhouse experiment, we grew seedlings in four different treatments: (1) burned soil with no leaf litter, (2) unburned soil with no leaf litter, (3) burned soil with leaf litter collected from the burn plot, (4) unburned soil with leaf litter collected from the unburned plot. Spore trapping showed no difference in the abundance of airborne spores in the paired plots. The seedling experiment showed that disease was greatest and survival lowest when grown in burned soil; leaf litter collected from burned plots reduced survival while leaf litter from not-burned plots increased survival. These results indicate that fire did not affect airborne B. cinerea and post-fire conditions did not provide favorable growth conditions for coast redwood seedlings.

During crop disease surveys in 2019 and 2021, we observed gray mold symptoms on the leaves of wasabi (Eutrema japonicum) plants grown in vinyl greenhouses in Taebaek and Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Korea. The symptoms appeared at the edges of the leaves, where the infected areas turned black and rotted, and many gray molds formed on the lesions. The incidence of gray mold on the leaves in the vinyl greenhouses at the two locations ranged from 1 to 30%. Four fungal isolates were obtained from leaf lesions and identified as Botrytis cinerea based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. Two isolates of B. cinerea were used for pathogenicity tests on the leaves of wasabi plants by artificial inoculation. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed in leaves. The symptoms induced by the isolates were similar to those observed in wasabi leaves in the vinyl greenhouses investigated. This is the first report of B. cinerea causing gray mold in wasabi in Korea.

This study investigated the effects of essential oils thymol, eugenol, and 1,8-cineol for the prevention of losses caused by gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Persoon) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera Linné, cv. Karaerik) under in vitro and in vivo conditions. B. cinerea isolated from diseased grapevines was identified by 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The effects of 2.5, 5, and 10 µL doses of essential oils (EO) on mycelial growth, germ tube elongation, and spore germination were investigated in vitro, and the lesion formation on the leaves was examined in vivo. Compared to the control, both thymol and eugenol suppressed mycelial growth, depending on the dose increase, and caused 100% inhibition at the 10 µL dose, whereas 1,8-cineole had no effect on the same parameter at either dose. Germ tube elongation was 100% inhibited by 5 and 10 µL doses of thymol and eugenol, while the same doses of 1,8-cineole inhibited it by 49% and 85%, respectively. Conidiospore germination was inhibited by 22, 45, and 72% at 2.5, 5, and 10 µL doses of thymol, respectively. Under in vivo conditions, the three EOs inhibited lesion formation on leaves, depending on the concentration increase, and inhibition ended with 100% at their 100 µL dose. In addition, thymol was found to be the most effective EO under in vivo conditions. Our results show that these EOs, which are of biological origin and non-toxic to environmental health, have the potential to be used in the control of gray mold.

The SO2-generating pads contain different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite, which absorbs water from the grapes’ transpiration, releasing SO2 gas, and there are slow-(SlowSO2) and dual (DualSO2)-releasing pads (fast release in the first 48 h and slow for up to 60 days). The ultra-fast SO2-generating pad (FieldSO2) releases the SO2 quickly for up to 6 h, and it was designed to be used soon after the harvest and until the grapes’ packaging. The goal was to study the effect of FieldSO2 associated with SlowSO2 and DualSO2 pads on gray mold incidence and physicochemical and appearance characteristics of ‘Italia’ table grapes. Grapes were harvested from a commercial vineyard in Parana, Brazil, in 2020 and 2021, and packaged in cardboard boxes, and the treatments were as follows: control (without SO2-generating pads); FieldSO2 + SlowSO2; and FieldSO2 + DualSO2. After 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days of cold storage (1 ± 1 °C), the grapes were assessed for gray mold incidence, mass loss, shattered berries, stem browning, and filamentous fungi on the surface. The use of FieldSO2 associated with SO2-generating pads is effective in controlling gray mold on ‘Italia’ table grapes, especially the treatment FieldSO2 + DualSO2, which provides the lowest incidence of the disease up to 90 days of cold storage, while the combination with SlowSO2 results in intermediate efficacy. Treatments combining these SO2-generating pads extend the postharvest shelf life of ‘Italia’ grapes, with few shattered berries, low mass loss and freshness of the rachis without impairing the bunch’s appearance.

Cucumbers are frequently affected by gray mold pathogen Botrytis cinerea, a pathogen that causes inhibited growth and reduced yield. Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a primary role in plant responses to biotic stresses, and the jasmonate-ZIM-Domain (JAZ) proteins are key regulators of the JA signaling pathway. In this study, we used the pan-genome of twelve cucumber varieties to identify cucumber TIFY genes. Our findings revealed that two CsTIFY genes were present in all twelve cucumber varieties and showed no differences in protein sequence, gene structure, and motif composition. This suggests their evolutionary conservation across different cucumber varieties and implies that they may play a crucial role in cucumber growth. On the other hand, the other fourteen CsTIFY genes exhibited variations in protein sequence and gene structure or conserved motifs, which could be the result of divergent evolution, as these genes adapt to different cultivation and environmental conditions. Analysis of the expression profiles of the CsTIFY genes showed differential regulation by B. cinerea. Transient transfection plants overexpressing CsJAZ2, CsJAZ6, or CsZML2 were found to be more susceptible to B. cinerea infection compared to control plants. Furthermore, these plants infected by the pathogen showed lower levels of the enzymatic activities of POD, SOD and CAT. Importantly, after B. cinerea infection, the content of JA was upregulated in the plants, and cucumber cotyledons pretreated with exogenous MeJA displayed increased resistance to B. cinerea infection compared to those pretreated with water. Therefore, this study explored key TIFY genes in the regulation of cucumber growth and adaptability to different cultivation environments based on bioinformatics analysis and demonstrated that CsJAZs negatively regulate cucumber disease resistance to gray mold via multiple signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from aromatic or medicinal plants are biodegradable, safe, and regarded as alternatives to chemical pesticides to reduce fungal species attacking different crops. In this study, thirty EOs at 0.5 mg/mL were evaluated for in vitro growth inhibition of the main postharvest fungi, which are Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, and Penicillium italicum. Cinnamomum verrum EO completely inhibited the mycelial growth of A. alternata and B. cinerea, and Syzygium aromaticum EO completely inhibited the mycelia of A. alternata. B. cinerea mycelial growth was completely inhibited by Gautheria fragrantissima, Cymbopogon nardus, Pelargonium asperum, and Cupressus sempervirens EOs. G. fragrantissima EO inhibited the mycelia growth of P. italicum by 98%. Overall, B. cinerea displayed the highest sensitivity to EOs than P. italicum and A. alternata. G. fragrantissima, C. sempervirens, C. nardus, P. asperum, Mentha piperita, Foeniculum vulgare, C. verrum, and S. aromaticum EOs showed the highest inhibition for these three pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were lower for C. verrum and S. aromaticum EOs, ranging between 0.31 and 0.45 mg/mL and 0.37 to 0.57 mg/mL, respectively, against the three pathogens. The tested EOs inhibited the in vitro growth of three of the main postharvest fungal pathogens. Further studies are needed to confirm these activities in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major cause of post-harvest rot of fresh fruits and vegetables. The utilization of selected microorganisms as biocontrol agents is a promising alternative to effectively control gray mold on tomatoes. The current study was conducted to explore potential biocontrol mechanisms of the Pseudomonas strain to control infections on post-harvest tomatoes. Among the 8 tested bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas protegens ML15 demonstrated antagonistic activity to Botrytis cinerea. Moreover, P. protegens ML15 exhibited the production of siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, exopolysaccharides, lipase, biosurfactant, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and several other antifungal compounds, such as 1-tetradecanol, cyclododecane, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and 2-methyl-1-hexadecanol. A comprehensive genomic analysis of P. protegens ML15 unravels 18 distinct genetic regions with the potential for biosynthesizing secondary metabolites, known for their pivotal role in biocontrol responses against plant pathogens. In vivo, experiments showed that both culture suspension and cell-free supernatant of P. protegens ML15 significantly reduced fungal growth (53.0 ± 0.63%) and mitigated disease development (52.8 ± 1.5%) in cherry tomatoes at four days post-B. cinerea inoculation. During the infection, the application of P. protegens ML15 resulted in the augmentation of total antioxidant, phenolic content, and ascorbic acids content. Thus, our results suggested that P. protegens ML15's role as a biocontrol agent against B. cinerea-induced postharvest tomato decay achieved through the secretion of antifungal substances, induction of tomato defense responses, and inhibition of mycelial growth of B. cinerea. These findings provide a significant contribution to the ongoing search for alternative, eco-friendly methods of controlling gray mold in fresh products. The utilization of P. protegens ML15 as a biocontrol agent could help to reduce the reliance on chemical fungicides and promote sustainable agriculture practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was carried out over two seasons (2020 and 2021) to assess the effects of preharvest treatments with oregano and thyme essential oils (EOs) as an alternative to the traditional use of sulfur dioxide (SO2) during cold storage of grape clusters cv. Flame Seedless. Grapevines were sprayed with oregano or thyme essential oils at 2000 or 4000 µL/L two days before harvest. The results confirmed that oregano and thyme EOs treatments reduced the physiological loss in weight, decay incidence, gray mold, rachis browning index, and berry shattering as compared to sulfur dioxide and untreated fruits. In addition, EOs had higher marketable percentage, firmness, and visual appearance cluster scores, while they reduced the deterioration in titratable acidity (TA) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents, slowing the increases in soluble solids content (SSC) and SSC/TA ratio of berries, and improving total anthocyanin content. Moreover, these EOs delayed berry activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POX), and pectin methylesterase (PME) enzymes during cold storage. Results suggest that preharvest application with either oregano or thyme EOs at 2000 µL/L might be a promising eco-friendly and safe candidate as an alternative to conventional SO2 used to control decay incidence and gray mold rot caused by Botrytis cinerea, and the EOs were effective in maintaining the quality of grape clusters during cold storage for up to 45 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first study to reveal the antifungal properties of Ferulago pauciradiata plant. In this context investigated the effects of methanol (FPM), ethanol (FPE), hexane (FPH) and water (FPW) extracts of the F. pauciradiata plant on the prevention of losses caused by gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Pers) in vitro. The effects of FPM, FPE, and FPH 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000, and 2000 μL doses were determined by mycelium growth, germ tube elongation, and spore germination in vitro. The water extract didn't show antifungal activity against B. cinerea. Compared to the control, both FPM and FPH caused 100% inhibition at the dose of 2000 μL by suppressing mycelial growth due to dose increases, while FPE had a 97.3% effect on the same parameter at the dose of 2000 μL. While there was no elongation at the 2000 μL dose of FPM and FPH, there was an elongation of 8.4 gm at the same dose of FPM. In spore germination, 0% germination was observed in FPM and FPH 2000 μL dose, while 17.5% germination was observed in FPE. These results show that F. pauciradiata extracts, which are of biological origin and are not environmentally toxic, are a good alternative for use in the control of B. cinerea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Botrytis cinerea is a common pathogenic agent, causing a significant reduction in tomato quality and yield. In this study, the potential of two biocontrol fungal agents, Trichoderma harzianum and Clonostachys rosea to prevent and alleviate B. cinerea infection was assessed. To this end, the fungicidal effects of both biocontrol fungi were evaluated on ten common phytopathogens, including B. cinerea. Then, various ratios of T. harzianum and C. rosea mixtures were assessed to find the ratio that best promotes the growth of tomato seedlings and prevents the establishment of B. cinerea. The results showed that T. harzianum and C. rosea had significant fungicidal effects on all tested phytopathogens. Also, both biocontrol agents reduced the establishment of B. cinerea, in vitro assays, indicating they had significant fungicidal effects against this phytopathogen. However, when applied as a biofungicide to tomato plants, a combination of both biocontrol agents gave better control of B. cinerea. Investigating the molecular basis of resistance to B. cinerea induced by the mixture of T. harzianum and C. rosea revealed that the salicylic acid signaling pathway plays an important role in modulating the antioxidant enzyme activity. Taken together, the results of this research confirmed that both biocontrol fungal agents could induce the mechanism of B. cinerea resistance in tomato plants and shed light on the regulatory pathways associated with the resistance mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the risks they pose to human and environmental health, there has been a strong push in recent times to reduce the use of chemical fungicides in phytopathogen treatment. In the present study, vicilin was isolated from kidney bean seeds and characterized by SDS-PAGE, zeta potential, and pH solubility curve. The α/ (85 KDa), α (70 KDa), and β (60 KDa) subunits were represented by three distinct protein bands in vicilin. The linear growth of B. cinerea was clearly reduced by 12.96%, 14.81%, 25.92%, 35.18%, and 40.73% in response to vicilin application at 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 µg/ml, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of vicilin-exposed B. cinerea revealed hyphae enlargement and conidia distortion. Addition of vicilin from kidney bean seeds clearly reduced the disease incidence in a concentration-dependent manner (100, 200, and 400 µg/mL). The higher doses (400 µg/mL) of vicilin provided higher activity in decreasing the disease severity of the strawberry fruits. As a sustainable glycoprotein, vicilin, found in kidney bean seeds, can be used to combat postharvest fungal infections.

During a disease survey conducted in April 2022, we observed severe gray mold symptoms on inflorescences of mango trees (Mangifera indica) grown in a vinyl greenhouse in Jeju, Korea. The symptoms occurred on the flowers and peduncles, on which a lot of gray molds were formed. The incidence of gray mold on the inflorescences in the vinyl greenhouse ranged from 10% to 40%. Three fungal isolates were obtained from the lesions and identified as Botrytis cinerea based on their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. All isolates of B. cinerea were tested for their pathogenicity to inflorescences of mango trees through artificial inoculation. The pathogenicity of the isolates was confirmed on the flowers and peduncles. The symptoms induced by the isolates were similar to those on the inflorescences of mango trees observed in the disease survey. This is the first report of B. cinerea causing gray mold in mango in Korea.

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea Pers. Fr., is one of the most vital plant diseases, causing extensive pre- and post-harvest losses in apple fruits. In the current study, we isolated and identified two potential endophytic bioagents, Bacillus subtilis and Streptomyces endus. Both bioagents exhibited a potent fungistatic effect against B. cinerea under both in vitro and in planta conditions. Moreover, two experiments were carried out; (i) the first experiment was conducted at room temperature after artificial inoculation with B. cinerea to monitor the progression of the infection and the corresponding biochemical responses of the apples. Our in vivo findings showed that the treated B. cinerea-infected apple fruits with the cell-free bacterial filtrate of B. subtilis and S. endus (dipping or wrapping) significantly reduced the rotten area of the treated apple at room temperature. Additionally, B. subtilis and S. endus enhanced the enzymatic (POX and PPO) and non-enzymatic (phenolics and flavonoids) antioxidant defense machinery in treated apples. (ii) The second experiment focused on the preventive effects of both bioagents over a 90-day storage period at 1 °C of healthy apples (no artificial inoculation). The application of both bacterial filtrates prolonged the storage period, reduced the relative weight loss, and maintained high-quality parameters including titratable acidity, firmness, and total soluble solids of apple fruits under cold storage at 1 °C. The Kaplan–Meier analysis of rotten apples over 90 days during cold storage showed that the treated apples lasted longer than the non-treated apples. Moreover, the lifespan of apple fruits dipped in the culture filtrate of B. subtilis, or a fungicide, was increased, with no significant differences, compared with the non-treated apples. The current results showed the possibility of using both bioagents as a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides to control gray mold disease in apples.

To clarify the mechanism of resistance of Bacillus velezensis TP-1 to gray mold, a marker strain TP-1R was screened for resistance to 300 μg/mL of rifampicin by an antibiotic marker method in this study. The genetic stability of the resistance of the marker strains and their antagonism to gray mold of grapes were studied, and their colonization in grapes and their effect on the activity of defence enzymes in the grapes were analysed. The results showed that the labeled strain could still grow stably in the medium containing rifampicin after 15 times of subculture, and the antagonistic effect of the labeled strain against gray mold was not significantly different from that of the original strain. The colonization amount of the labeled strain reached the peak of 4.32×106 CFU/g on the 15th day of storage (20 ℃), and was still 3.11×106 CFU/g on the 30th day of storage, indicating that strain TP-1 could be stably colonized on grapes. Inoculation of strain TP-1 fermentation broth could effectively inhibit the occurrence of gray mold and resultantly reduced the decay rate of grapes. During storage, the activity of grape defence enzymes PAL, PPO and APX increased first and then decreased, and the activity of the three enzymes in the group treated with the antagonistic bacterium TP-1 was significantly higher than CK (P

Abstract Background Gray mold is the most prevalent postharvest disease of apple fruits in Egypt. In this study, five isolates of Botrytis cinerea were isolated from apple fruits that had postharvest decay symptoms. Investigations were made into the pathogenicity tests of these isolates as well as the molecular identification of the most virulent isolate. A study was done in vitro to see how B. cinerea's mycelial growth and conidial germination would be affected by hot water treatments (HWT) at temperatures of 25, 50, 52, 54, or 56 °C for 10, 20, 30, or 40 s as well as silicate salts (SS), specifically potassium silicate and sodium silicate at 0.0, 2.0, 4.0, and 6.0%. The effectiveness of hot water treatment and silicate salts dipping (SSD), both separately and together, for preventing B. cinerea infection and preserving the natural qualities of apple fruits was investigated in vivo. Results Pathogenicity tests on apples (Anna cv.) revealed that B. cinerea isolate (Bc-1) was found to be the most virulent. This isolate was identified as belonging to the fungus B. cinerea through molecular testing using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, and it has since been added to Gene Bank with the accession number ON1498639.1. The lethal temperature for B. cinerea mycelial growth and spore germination in vitro was 54 °C/30 s and 54 °C/10 s, respectively. At a 6.0%, the SS, specifically potassium silicate and sodium silicate, completely prevented pathogen growth. When applied separately, HWT (60 °C/30 s) and SSD (6.0%/1 min) significantly reduced B. cinerea decay of apple fruits stored at 20 ± 2 °C for 15 days. In terms of control efficacy, the HWT (60 °C/30 s) and SSD (6.0%/1 min) combination performed better. Conclusions When apple fruits are stored at 20 ± 2 °C for 15 days, the combination of HWT (60 °C/30 s) and SSD (6.0%/1 min) may be an efficient way to control the gray mold disease. The amount of total soluble solids (TSS) in apple fruits was unaffected by these treatments, but they significantly lessened fruit weight loss after 40 days of storage at 20 ± 2 °C.

Abstract Background Wall associated kinase (WAK) and WAK-like (WAKL) are typical pattern recognition receptors act as the first sentry of plant defense. But little of WAK/WAKL family is known in Rosaceae. Results In this study, 131 WAK/WAKL genes from apple, peach and strawberry were identified using a bioinformatics approach. Together with 68 RcWAK/RcWAKL in rose, we performed a comparative analysis of 199 WAK/WAKL in four Rosaceae crops. The phylogenetic analysis divided all the WAK/WAKL into five clades. Among them, the cis-elements of Clade II and Clade V promoters were enriched in jasmonic acid (JA) signaling and abiotic stress, respectively. And this can also be verified by the rose transcriptome responding to different hormone treatments. WAK/WAKL families have experienced a considerable proportion of purifying selection during evolution, but still 26 amino acid sites evolved under positive selection, which focused on extracellular conserved domains. WAK/WAKL genes presented collinearity relationship within and between crops, throughout four crops we mined four orthologous groups (OGs). The WAK/WAKL genes in OG1 and OG4 were speculated to involve in plant-Botrytis cinerea interaction, which were validated in rose via VIGS as well as strawberry by qRT-PCR. Conclusions These results not only provide genetic resources and valuable information for the evolutionary relationship of WAK/WAKL gene family, but also offer a reference for future in-depth studies of Rosaceae WAK/WAKL genes.

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea is a major cause of post-harvest rot of fresh fruits and vegetables. The utilization of selected microorganisms as biocontrol agents is a promising alternative to effectively control gray mold on tomatoes. The current study was conducted to explore potential biocontrol mechanisms of the Pseudomonas strain to control infections on post-harvest tomatoes. Among the 8 tested bacterial isolates, Pseudomonas protegens ML15 demonstrated antagonistic activity to Botrytis cinerea. Moreover, P. protegens ML15 exhibited the production of siderophores, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, exopolysaccharides, lipase, biosurfactant, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and several other antifungal compounds, such as 1-tetradecanol, cyclododecane, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, and 2-methyl-1-hexadecanol. A comprehensive genomic analysis of P. protegens ML15 unravels 18 distinct genetic regions with the potential for biosynthesizing secondary metabolites, known for their pivotal role in biocontrol responses against plant pathogens. In vivo, experiments showed that both culture suspension and cell-free supernatant of P. protegens ML15 significantly reduced fungal growth (53.0 ± 0.63%) and mitigated disease development (52.8 ± 1.5%) in cherry tomatoes at four days post-B. cinerea inoculation. During the infection, the application of P. protegens ML15 resulted in the augmentation of total antioxidant, phenolic content, and ascorbic acids content. Thus, our results suggested that P. protegens ML15’s role as a biocontrol agent against B. cinerea-induced postharvest tomato decay achieved through the secretion of antifungal substances, induction of tomato defense responses, and inhibition of mycelial growth of B. cinerea. These findings provide a significant contribution to the ongoing search for alternative, eco-friendly methods of controlling gray mold in fresh products. The utilization of P. protegens ML15 as a biocontrol agent could help to reduce the reliance on chemical fungicides and promote sustainable agriculture practices.

Botrytis cinerea is a high-risk pathogen for fungicide resistance development. Within the fungal populations, strains have developed multiple mutations in different target genes leading to multiple resistance (MLR) or mutations associated with overexpression of efflux transporters leading to multidrug resistance (MDR). These types of resistance are a major threat, and their successful management is a major challenge. The current study was initiated to a) determine frequencies of MLR/MDR strains in populations originating from several crops, b) identify the types of MDR that occur in Greece, and c) determine interactions between MLR and MDR at the level of sensitivity to botryticides. The frequencies of MLR/MDR phenotypes were determined in 515 isolates subjected to bioassays using discriminatory concentrations of thiophanate-methyl, iprodione, cyprodinil, fenhexamid, boscalid, fluopyram, fludioxonil, pyraclostrobin, and tolnaftate. Interestingly, 7.8% and 31.3% of isolates from strawberry and rootstock seedlings were resistant to every single fungicide class, while MDR phenotypes from strawberries, rootstocks, and tomatoes accounted for 26%, 87%, and 13.4%, respectively. The MLR and MDR isolates were further molecularly analyzed regarding genes erg27, sdhB, Bcpos5, and Mrr1, responsible for resistance to fenhexamid, boscalid and fluopyram, cyprodinil, and MDR, respectively. The different mutations’ presence was determined along with a new mutation in Mrr1 leading to MDR. MDR isolates were characterized as MDR1 or MDR1h based on the presence of a 3-bp deletion in Mrr1. MDR1h was predominant in isolates from rootstocks and MDR1 from tomatoes and strawberries, whereas the most frequent target-site mutations were F412S (erg27), H272R (sdhB), and L412F (Bcpos5). To determine whether the accumulation of target-site mutations along with MDR mutations exhibits an additive effect concerning fungicide resistance, the sensitivity of isolates possessing the predominant target-site mutations was calculated in both the presence and the absence of MDR-associated mutations. EC50 in cyprodinil and boscalid increased to about twofold in the presence of MDR mutations, while there was no difference for fenhexamid. In conclusion, MLR/MDR frequencies are notably high in heavily treated crops in Greece, and the combination of MLR and MDR mutations leads to even higher fungicide resistance levels, highlighting the importance of resistance management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular detection of infections is normally performed by searching for the DNA of the pathogen in infected tissues. We consider the possibility of detecting an ongoing infection by analyzing the systemic response. The genes coding for FAD-binding domain-containing protein and two Cytochrome P450s were upregulated in visually healthy tissue of pathogen-inoculated leaves at 24 and 48 hours post infection, both during tip and side leaflet inoculations. The upregulation of these genes was statistically not different between rachis and inoculation spot. The results suggest the possibility to sense B. cinerea single leaflet infections by measuring plant gene expression in rachis-derived samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the antifungal effects of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by a marine biocontrol yeast, Scheffersomyces spartinae W9. The results showed that the VOCs from the yeast inhibited the growth of Botrytis cinerea mycelium and spore germination by 77.8% and 58.3%, respectively. Additionally, it reduced the disease incidence and lesion diameter of gray mold on the strawberry fruit surface by 20.7% and 67.4%, respectively. Electronic micrographs showed that VOCs caused damage to the morphology and ultrastructure of the hyphae. Based on headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS), S. spartinae W9 emitted 18 main VOCs, and the pure substance of VOCs, such as 3-methyl-1-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 2-phenylethanol, and isoamyl acetate, showed antifungal effects against B. cinerea mycelium growth. Among them, 2-phenylethanol exhibited the strongest antifungal activity. It has been concluded that VOCs are the key antifungal mechanism of S. spartinae W9, and a promising strategy for controlling gray mold on strawberry fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of essential oils thymol, eugenol, and 1,8-cineol for the prevention of losses caused by gray mold (Botrytis cinerea Persoon) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera Linné, cv. Karaerik) under in vitro and in vivo conditions. B. cinerea isolated from diseased grapevines was identified by 18S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The effects of 2.5, 5, and 10 μL doses of essential oils (EO) on mycelial growth, germ tube elongation, and spore germination were investigated in vitro, and the lesion formation on the leaves was examined in vivo. Compared to the control, both thymol and eugenol suppressed mycelial growth, depending on the dose increase, and caused 100% inhibition at the 10 μL dose, whereas 1,8-cineole had no effect on the same parameter at either dose. Germ tube elongation was 100% inhibited by 5 and 10 μL doses of thymol and eugenol, while the same doses of 1,8-cineole inhibited it by 49% and 85%, respectively. Conidiospore germination was inhibited by 22, 45, and 72% at 2.5, 5, and 10 μL doses of thymol, respectively. Under in vivo conditions, the three EOs inhibited lesion formation on leaves, depending on the concentration increase, and inhibition ended with 100% at their 100 μL dose. In addition, thymol was found to be the most effective EO under in vivo conditions. Our results show that these EOs, which are of biological origin and non-toxic to environmental health, have the potential to be used in the control of gray mold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gray mold infected with Botrytis cinerea frequently appears on fruits and vegetables throughout the supply chain after harvest, leading to economic losses. Biological control of postharvest disease with phytochemicals is a promising approach. CA (cinnamaldehyde) is a natural phytochemical with medicinal and antimicrobial activity. This study evaluated the effect of CA in controlling B. cinerea on fresh pepper fruit. CA inhibited B. cinerea growth in vitro significantly in a dose- (0.1–0.8 mM) and time-dependent (6–48 h) manner, with an EC50 (median effective concentration) of 0.5 mM. CA induced the collapse and breakdown of the mycelia. CA induced lipid peroxidation resulting from ROS (reactive oxygen species) accumulation in mycelia, further leading to cell leakage, evidenced by increased conductivity in mycelia. CA induced mycelial glycerol accumulation, resulting in osmotic stress possibly. CA inhibited sporulation and spore germination resulting from ROS accumulation and cell death observed in spores. Spraying CA at 0.5 mM induced a defense response in fresh pepper fruits, such as the accumulation of defense metabolites (flavonoid and total phenols) and an increase in the activity of defense enzymes (PAL, phenylalanine ammonia lyase; PPO, polyphenol oxidase; POD, peroxidase). As CA is a type of environmentally friendly compound, this study provides significant data on the activity of CA in the biocontrol of postharvest gray mold in peppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postharvest gray mold induced by Botrytis cinerea seriously affects cherry quality, resulting in huge economic losses. The aim of this study was to isolate and purify a novel antifungal compound from the endophytic Bacillus velezensis SJ100083 of cherries to prevent postharvest gray mold. Results: In this study, Baelezcin A, extracted and purified from Bacillus velezensis SJ100083, was found effective in suppressing gray mold on cherries. Furthermore, the structure of Baelezcin A was identified as a novel cyclic lipopeptide with molecular formula of C52H91N7O13 through ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole Orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐Q‐Orbitrap‐HRMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Baelezcin A treatment at 25 mg L−1 significantly decreased the disease incidence and severity of cherry gray mold, the antifungal mechanism of which was attributed to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species within the spores and the leakage of mycelium cytoplasmal contents, resulting in a low rate of spore germination. Moreover, it was proven to be biologically safe within a certain range by MTT assays. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that Baelezcin A from the culture of Bacillus velezensis SJ100083 may be a promising fruit preservative for controlling postharvest gray mold caused by Botrytis cinerea. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is among the priority crops of greenhouse cultivation in Turkey and in the world. One of the most important fungal diseases of tomatoes is grey mould. Botrytis cinerea, B. cinerea group S and Botrytis pseudocinerea have been reported previously as causes of grey mould disease on tomatoes. The objectives of this study were to characterize the common grey mould population, their virulence levels, and identify the possible cryptic Botrytis species occurring on greenhouse tomatoes in Turkey. Botrytis species were identified using the RPB2, G3PDH, HSP60 and NEP2 sequences. The predominant grey mould pathogen was B. cinerea. B. cinerea group S and B. pseudocinerea were not isolated. The MH69 isolate was identified as Botrytis prunorum. This is the first time that this cryptic species has been reported causing disease on tomatoes. Differences in the virulence levels of B. cinerea isolates were observed. The virulence of the B. prunorum isolate was found to be lower than most of the B. cinerea isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]