Control of Fusarium and nematodes by entomopathogenic fungi for organic production of Zingiber officinale

In this study, we explored the possibility of non-entomopathogenic effects of EPFBeauveria bassiana andCordyceps fumosorosea on ginger plants (Zingiber officinale) via antagonism withFusarium oxysporum or the parasitic nematodeMeloidogyne incognita. The two EPF negatively affected the growth ofF. oxysporum and survival ofM. incognita in vitro. The application of EPF did not have any negative effect on the growth of ginger plants. Soil chemical properties were not different between the plots with or without EPF application, while the diversity of soil bacteria was observed to increase on application of EPF. At leastC. fumosorosea appeared to persist in soil during the period of ginger cultivation. Thus, these EPF are potentially useful tools for producing chemical-free ginger.
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research