Biocontrol activity of the marine yeast Debaryomyces hansenii against phytopathogenic fungi and its ability to inhibit mycotoxins production in maize grain (Zea mays L.)

Publication date: Available online 9 March 2016 Source:Biological Control Author(s): Noé Medina-Córdova, Raúl López-Aguilar, Felipe Ascencio, Thelma Castellanos, Angel I. Campa-Córdova, Carlos Angulo Debaryomyces hansenii is an antagonistic yeast that has been shown high effectiveness against different phytopathogenic fungi in diverse habitats. Both, the antagonistic activity of D. hansenii BCS003 and its mechanism against four pathogenic fungi (Mucor circinelloides, Aspergillus sp., Fusarium proliferatum and Fusarium subglutinans) in maize grains (Zea mays L.) were evaluated. Results indicated an almost entirely decrease (97.2- 98.3%) of mycelial growth in a radial inhibition assay against four strains of pathogenic fungi by the D. hansenii action. In diffusible and volatile compounds as well cell-free supernatants in vitro assays D. hansenii showed significant inhibitory activity (p < 0.05) against Aspergillus sp., F. proliferatum and F. subglutinans. The four isolated fungi were used to infect maize grains and results showed a partial inhibition of the mycelial growth and a 24 h delay in the disease appearance when compared to control (not D. hansenii treated maize grain). Moreover, the application of D. hansenii reduced the production of F. subglutinans fumonisins by 59.8% after seven days of co-incubation without affecting the chemical and mineral composition of maize grain. According to these results, D. hansenii BCS003 could be considered a...
Source: Biological Control - Category: Biology Source Type: research