Fishing for nutrient-competing antagonists for ginseng pathogen control via root biomass

Area of Science:

• Plant Pathology
• Microbiology
• Soil Science

Background:

• Phytopathogenic fungi cause significant plant diseases, impacting food security.
• Biological control typically relies on antibiotic properties, overlooking nutrient competition.
• Ginseng root biomass can promote soil pathogen growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for isolating nutrient-competing fungi.
• To investigate the role of these fungi in controlling pathogen accumulation.
• To explore their potential for manipulating soil fungal communities.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of ginseng root biomass-decomposing fungi from soil.
• Testing the inhibitory effects of isolated nonpathogenic fungi on Fusarium oxysporum.
• Evaluating the impact of these fungi on soil fungal community structure.
• Validation using a commercial fungus, Aspergillus oryzae.

Main Results:

• Three fungi were isolated: Fusarium oxysporum and two nonpathogenic strains.
• Nonpathogenic fungi suppressed Fusarium oxysporum accumulation, despite lacking antibiosis.
• All isolated fungi inhibited ginseng root biomass-mediated soil fungal community changes.
• Aspergillus oryzae confirmed the efficacy of this approach.

Conclusions:

• Nutrient-competing antagonists offer a novel strategy for plant disease control.
• The developed method effectively screens for such antagonists.
• This approach can manage pathogen buildup and soil fungal community shifts.