• Mycobiology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2021

The application of antagonistic fungi for plant protection has attracted considerable interest because they may potentially replace the use of chemical pesticides. Antipathogenic activities confirmed in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from microorganisms have potential to serve as biocontrol agents against pre- and post-harvest diseases. In the present study, we investigated Galactomyces fungi isolated from rotten leaves and the rhizosphere of cherry tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme). VOCs produced by Galactomyces fungi negatively affected the growth of phytopathogenic fungi and the survival of nematodes. Mycelial growths of all nine examined phytopathogenic fungi were inhibited on agar plate, although the inhibition was more intense in Athelia rolfsii JYC2163 and Cladosporium cladosporioides JYC2144 and relatively moderate in Fusarium sp. JYC2145. VOCs also efficiently suppressed the spore germination and mycelial growth of A. rolfsii JYC2163 on tomatoes. The soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exhibited higher mortality in 24 h in the presence of VOCs. These results suggest the broad-spectrum activity of Galactomyces fungi against various plant pathogens and the potential to use VOCs from Galactomyces as biocontrol agents.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.467-471
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• 2004

Bacillus sp. SD-10 was investigated to develope biological pesticides for control of mushroom diseases. Bacillus sp. SD-10 showed high antifungal activity when cultured at 35∼4$0^{\circ}C$ for 30∼4$0^{\circ}C$. The culture filtrate of the bacterium inhibited the growth of mycelium of T. virens which is a kind of mushroom pathogene. On the test of inhibition of spore germination of T. virens, more than 5% of the culture filtrate in the media inhibited completely the germination of the spores. An antimicrobial substance, UPX-1 was purified from the culture filtrate of the Bacillus. From the $^1H$-NMR and $^{13}C$-NMR spectrum analysis, the substance was indentifed as disaccharide composed to six carbon sugars. UPX-1 has not only strong antifungal activity against T. virens but also antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas tolaassi.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.453-460
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• 2008

In the course of in vitro and in vivo screening for bioherbicidal agents, a hyphomycete fungus, Myrothecium sp. F0252 was selected as a candidate for the biocontrol of weeds. The isolate was identified as Myrothecium roridum Tode ex. Fries based on the morphological characteristics and 18S ribosomal DNA sequence analysis and registered as Myrothecium roridum F0252. In order to evaluate the in vitro effect of M. roridum F0252 on germination of ladino clover and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) seeds, spore solution of the fungus was employed in two concentrations, $6.5{\times}10^6$ and $2.5{\times}10^7$ spores per mL and then inoculated to the seeds. The fungal spores inhibited the seed germination, infected the seedlings, and caused an abnormal withering and inhibition of seedling growth. In addition, when the herbicidal activity of crude ethyl acetate extract from the liquid culture was assessed on a mini-plant, duck-weed (Lemna paucicostata (L.) Hegelm.), the extract showed high inhibitory effect at the level of $12.5{\mu}g$ per mL. On the other hand, in vivo herbicidal activity of M. roridum F0252 was evaluated by a whole plant spray method. M. roridum F0252 exhibited strong and broad-spectrum herbicidal activity. The herbicidal values ranged from 95-100% against 7 weeds, including Abutilon avicennae and Xanthium strumarium, and 70-80% against Digitaria sanguinalis and Sagittaria pygmaea. When the nutritional utilization (95 carbon sources) pattern of M. roridum F0252 was investigated, it varied with water activity ($a_w$) and temperature conditions, supplying good, basic information in regard to nutritional utilization for proper cultivation and formulation. Our results showed that M. roridum F0252 might be used as a potential biocontrol agent against weedy plants.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2013

One of the most important limiting factors for the production of the grafted cactus in Korea is the qualitative and quantitative yield loss derived from stem rots especially caused by Bipolaris cactivora. This study is aimed to develop microbial control agents useful for the control of the bipolaris stem rot. Two bacteria (GA1-23 and GA4-4) selected out of 943 microbial isolates because of their strong antibiotic activity against B. cactivora were identified as Bacillus subtilis and B. amyloliquefaciens, respectively, by the cultural characteristics, Biolog program and 16S rRNA sequencing analyses. Both bacterial isolates significantly inhibited the conidial germination and mycelial growth of the pathogen with no significant difference between the two, of which the inhibitory efficacies varied depending on the cultural conditions such as temperature, nutritional compositions and concentrations. Light and electron microscopy of the pathogen treated with the bacterial isolates showed the inhibition of spore germination with initial malformation of germ tubes and later formation of circle-like vesicles with no hyphal growth and hyphal disruption sometimes accompanied by hyphal swellings and shrinkages adjacent to the bacteria, suggesting their antibiotic mode of antagonistic activity. Control efficacy of B. subtilis GA1-23 and B. amyloliquefaciens GA4-4 on the cactus stem rot were not as high as but comparable to that of fungicide difenoconazole when they were treated simultaneously at the time of pathogen inoculation. All of these results suggest the two bacterial isolates have a good potential to be developed as biocontrol agents for the bipolaris stem rot of the grafted cactus.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.507-516
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• 2014

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of electron beam irradiation on control of Botrytis cinerea and postharvest quality of cut roses. Electron beam doses of 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1, 2, 10, and 20 kGy were applied with a 10-MeV linear electron beam accelerator (EB Tech, Korea). Electron beams inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of B. cinerea with increasing irradiation doses. Conidia of B. cinerea were more tolerant to irradiation than were mycelia: the effective irradiation doses for 50% inhibition ($ED_{50}$) of spore germination and mycelial growth were 2.02 kGy and 0.89 kGy, respectively. In addition, electron beam irradiation was more effective in reducing mycelial growth of B. cinerea at $10^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. Analysis of in vivo antifungal activity revealed that elevated irradiation doses exhibited increased control efficacy for tomato gray mold. Flower longevity and fresh weight of cut roses decreased when the irradiation dose was increased. In addition, flower bud opening tended to be inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Although 'Decoration', 'Il se Bronze', 'Queen Bee', and 'Revue' roses tolerated and maintained overall postharvest quality up to 0.4 kGy, 'Vivian' did not, demonstrating that the irradiation sensitivity of cut roses varies according to cultivar.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2006

Effect of the fungicide mepanipyrim on the resistant and sensitive isolates of Botrytis cinerea was studied in vitro and also tested to control Botrytis rot of strawberry, cucumber and grape in the field. These isolates were selected by relative mycelial growth and spore germination on potato dextrose agar(PDA) incorporated with $100{\mu}g\;a.i./ml$ of benomyl and procymidone, respectively, compared to the unamended PDA. Mycelial growth of the selected resistant isolates was significantly inhibited by mepanipyrim but the inhibition rate was similar to other fungicides belong to benzimidazole or dicarboximide, although spore germination was not inhibited even by the higher concentration of mepanipyrim. When the benomyl and procymidone resistant isolates were inoculated to cucumber leaves, lesion development was significantly inhibited with application of $250{\mu}g\;a.i./ml$ of mepanipyrim but not with that of benomyl and procymidone. In addition, when $250{\mu}g\;a.i./ml$ of mepanipyrim was applied to strawberry, cucumber, and grape in the field, the control of Botrytis rot was significantly different from that of the untreated control(Duncan's multiple range test, p<0.05). The results suggested that mepanipyrim might be an alternative fungicide for the control of benomyl- and procymidone-resistant pathogens of Botrytis rot.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2022

In the present study we evaluated the efficacy of a bioformulation of Streptomyces cameroonensis for control of black pod disease in cocoa and enhancement of seedling growth. The formulation developed using talc powder and cassava starch as carriers showed high shelf-life of 1.07 × 10⁶ CFU/g after six months storage at 4℃. The formulation was tested for inhibition of spore germination in Phytophthora megakarya and showed 100% inhibition at 10% (w/v) of formulation. To determine the efficacy of the formulation, we performed an in planta assay in the greenhouse on two hybrids of cocoa seedlings, the tolerant SNK413 × (♂) T79/467 and the susceptible UPA 134× (♂) SCA 12. Detached leaf assay showed a significant reduction in the disease severity index of about 67% for the tolerant hybrid and 55% for the susceptible hybrid compared to non-treated plants. A significant enhancement in stem length, leaf surface area and root weight was observed. Analysis of biochemical markers of defense showed a significant increase in total polyphenol, flavonoid, and total protein contents. There was also significant upregulation of PR-proteins such as chitinases, peroxidases and β-1, 3-glucanases following treatment of both tolerant and susceptible hybrids, though with a higher level of synthesis in the tolerant hybrids. A significant increase was also observed in polyphenol oxidase activities in plants treated with the formulation. This work demonstrated the stability and effectiveness of the S. cameroonensis powder formulation in suppressing black pod disease in cocoa and subsequently enhancing the growth of seedlings.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.301-310
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• 1994

This experiment was conducted to test the fungicidal activity of extracts from 50 medicinal plants to powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca fulinginea) and identify the bioactive substances. Among the medicinal plants tested, the water extract of Rheum undulatum was the most effective in spore germination inhibition, which inhibited by 100% at 200-fold dilution. Also, 50-fold dilution of water extract, 100-fold dilution of alcohol extract, 500-fold dilution of crude extract from Rheum undulatum and even 1000-fold dilution of reference chemical inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber more than 60%. 500-fold dilution of crude extract inhibited powdery mildew of cucumber 100% by twice spray treatment. There was phytotoxcity at the 100-fold dilution, but was not recognized this injury at the 500-fold dilution of crude extract. From our research to identify bioactive substance using HPLC, GLC and Mass spectrum analysis, it indicated that Rheum undulatum extract contained tentatively 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione and 1,8-dihydroxy-3-methoxy-6-methyl-9,10-anthracenedione.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.493-500
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• 2012

In order to confirm the possibility of UV utilization as a means for disease protection in grapevine the stilbene contents and the disease incidence in UV irradiated leaves were investigated. UV irradiation significantly increased the contents of resveratrol, piceatannol and piceid, in them, resveratrol and piceid showed in vitro inhibition of spore germination and mycelium growth of Botrytis cinerea. The accumulation of both the stilbenes in UV irradiated leaves seems to be enough to inhibit the B. cinerea growth, since the formation of necrotic spot on the leaves was considerably inhibited when they were inoculated with the conidial spores of B. cinerea. However the stilbenes were accumulated only in the leaves exposed directly to UV showing a limited translocation ability of the compounds. Thus it would be necessary to develop a method to evenly irradiate the entire crown of plant with UV in order to expect to protect them from disease by UV irradiation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.215-219
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• 2014

Background: Biological control of plant pathogens using benign or beneficial microorganisms as antagonistic agents is currently considered to be an important component of integrated pest management in agricultural crops. In this study, we evaluated the potential of Bacillus subtilis strain HK-CSM-1 as a biological control agent against Colletotrichum panacicola. Methods: The potential of B. subtilis HK-CSM-1 as a biological control agent for ginseng anthracnose was assessed. C. panacicola was inoculated to ginseng plants and the incidence and severity of disease was assessed to examine the efficacy of the bacterium as a biological control against C. panacicola. Results: Inoculation of Panax ginseng plants with B. subtilis significantly suppressed the number of disease lesions of C. panacicola and was as effective as the chemical fungicide iminoctadine tris(albesilate). The antifungal activity of B. subtilis against C. panacicola was observed on a co-culture medium. Interestingly, treatment with B. subtilis did not significantly affect the diameter of the lesions, suggesting that the mechanism of protection was through the reduction in the incidence of infection related to the initial events of the infection cycle, including penetration and infection via spore germination and appressorium formation rather than by the inhibition of invasive growth after infection. Conclusion: Our results suggest that B. subtilis HK-CSM-1 can be used as an effective and ecologically friendly biological control agent for anthracnose in P. ginseng.