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Published on: December 5, 2020
Antifungal Activity of Phyllospheric Bacteria Isolated from Coffea arabica against Hemileia vastatrix
Katty Ogata-Gutiérrez1, Carolina Chumpitaz-Segovia1, Jesus Lirio-Paredes1
1Laboratorio de Ecología Microbiana y Biotecnología, Departmento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Av. La Molina s/n, Lima 15024, Peru.
Abstract:
Peru is one of the leading countries that produce and export specialty coffees, favorably positioned in the international markets for its physical and organoleptic cup qualities. In recent years, yellow coffee rust caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Hemileia vastatrix stands out as one of the main phytosanitary diseases that affect coffee culture yields. Many studies have demonstrated bacteria antagonistic activity against a number of phytopathogen fungi. In this context, the aim of this work was to select and characterize phyllospheric bacteria isolated from Coffea arabica with antagonistic features against coffee rust to obtain biocontrollers. For that purpose, a total of 82 phyllospheric bacteria were isolated from two coffee leaf rust-susceptible varieties, typica and caturra roja, and one tolerant variety, catimor. Of all the isolates, 15% were endophytic and 85% were epiphytes. Among all the isolates, 14 were capable of inhibiting the mycelial radial growth of Mycena citricolor, and Colletotrichum sp. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analysis showed that 9 isolates were related to Achromobacter insuavis, 2 were related to Luteibacter anthropi and 1 was related to Rodococcus ceridiohylli, Achromobacter marplatensis and Pseudomonas parafulva. A total of 7 representative bacteria of each group were selected based on their antagonistic activity and tested in germination inhibition assays of coffee rust uredinospores. The CRRFLT7 and TRFLT8 isolates showed a high inhibition percentage of urediniospores germination (81% and 82%, respectively), similar to that obtained with the chemical control (91%). An experimental field assay showed a good performance of both strains against rust damage too, making them a promising alternative for coffee leaf rust biocontrol.
Insights
Researchers identified potent bacteria from coffee plants to combat yellow coffee rust, a major threat to coffee yields. Two bacterial strains demonstrated significant rust inhibition, offering a promising biological control alternative for sustainable coffee farming.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Pathology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Peru is a major specialty coffee producer, but yields are threatened by yellow coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix).
- Phyllospheric bacteria show potential for controlling plant diseases.
- This study aimed to isolate and characterize coffee leaf bacteria with antagonistic properties against coffee rust.
Purpose of the Study:
- To select and characterize phyllospheric bacteria from *Coffea arabica* with antagonistic activity against coffee rust.
- To identify potential biocontrollers for managing coffee leaf rust.
- To evaluate the efficacy of selected bacterial isolates in inhibiting coffee rust urediniospores germination and field performance.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of 82 phyllospheric bacteria from susceptible (*typica*, *caturra roja*) and tolerant (*catimor*) *Coffea arabica* varieties.
- Screening for antagonistic activity against mycelial growth of *Mycena citricolor* and *Colletotrichum* sp.
- Identification of promising isolates using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
- Assessing urediniospores germination inhibition and conducting field assays.
Main Results:
- 14 bacterial isolates inhibited mycelial growth of tested fungi.
- Identified isolates belonged to genera such as *Achromobacter*, *Luteibacter*, *Rodococcus*, and *Pseudomonas*.
- Two isolates, CRRFLT7 and TRFLT8, significantly inhibited coffee rust urediniospores germination (81% and 82%), comparable to chemical control (91%).
- Field trials confirmed the good performance of CRRFLT7 and TRFLT8 against rust damage.
Conclusions:
- Selected phyllospheric bacteria, particularly CRRFLT7 and TRFLT8, exhibit significant potential for biological control of coffee leaf rust.
- These bacterial strains represent a sustainable and effective alternative to chemical treatments for coffee rust management.
- Further research can optimize the application of these biocontrollers for large-scale coffee cultivation.
