Biological activity of Diaporthe terebinthifolii extracts against Phyllosticta citricarpa

Citrus black spot disease, caused by the phytopathogen Phyllosticta citricarpa, depreciates the market value of citrus fruits and prevents their exportation to disease-free regions. It may also reduce the productivity of citrus fruit orchards. To identify an alternative to conventional disease control measures, isolates of Diaporthe terebinthifolii, active against P. citricarpa, were selected from an endophytic fungal population of Schinus terebinthifolia leaves. Different culture media were screened to identify the culture medium that afforded the most efficient production of biologically active extracts. A particular fraction (fraction VI) of the extract completely protected orange leaves by inhibiting the germination of P. citricarpa conidia with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.003 μg.mL-1. The active constituents in D. terebinthifolii extract fractions were identified by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry as verbanol, phenylethyl alcohol, verbenyl acetate and methyl hexadecanoate. The results obtained strongly suggest the existence of a synergistic effect among the metabolites produced. Thus, these fungal metabolites could be used to control the CBS disease. As the asexual spores of P. citricarpa play an important role in fruit lesion development and disease dispersion, fungal extracts that inhibit the spore germination can be used as an effective alternative for directional disease control.