Antagonistic microorganisms as management of Fusarium oxysporum wilt of blackberry

Abstract

In the states of Michoacán, Mexico and California, USA, blackberry (Rubus sp.) production is affected by wilt, which causes the loss of thousands of hectares. In the present work, the causative agent of the disease was identified and control alternatives with antagonistic microorganisms were proposed. In 2022, the causative agent of the disease was isolated and morphologically identified from an orchard in Tocumbo, Michoacán. A preliminary laboratory bioassay was performed with strains of B. subtilis, B. amyloliquefaciens, P. fluorescens, and Trichoderma spp., native to Tacámbaro and Taretan, Mich. The outstanding strains were tested in a greenhouse on plants of blackberry cv Tupy as a preventive measure and as a control, under an experimental design of randomized blocks with six repetitions. In the preliminary tests, all the strains used showed an inhibition of the mycelial growth of the pathogen greater than 50%, with Trichoderma sp. from Tacámbaro, B. subtilis and P. fluorescens standing out. In the tests carried out in situ, preventively applied treatments decreased the incidence of wilt by 57% to 66%. In terms of severity and plant height, Trichoderma sp. stood out, while the percentage of root necrosis decreased by 56% to 70% with all treatments. Control treatments also showed antagonistic efficacy, although to a lesser extent, they decreased the incidence of wilt by 2 to 58% and the percentages of root necrosis by 19 to 62%. Antagonistic microorganisms can be incorporated as a comprehensive management strategy with high efficiency.