Biocontrol of Panama disease and postharvest anthracnose on bananas by Neosartorya and Talaromyces fungi

Abstract

This study aimed to propose a potential antagonist for controlling both Panama disease and postharvest anthracnose in bananas. The findings revealed that Fusarium oxysporum and Colletotrichum musae were the most virulent pathogens causing Panama disease and postharvest anthracnose, respectively. Through dual culture tests, Talaromyces trachyspermus AWP08-01 was identified as a promising biocontrol agent against both F. oxysporum and C. musae, achieving 62.30% spore inhibition and 42.09%, respectively. Moreover, the ethyl acetate extract of T. trachyspermus AWP08-01 showed good antifungal activity. At a 1000-µg/mL concentration, it could inhibit 22.14% and 51.58% spore production of F. oxysporum and C. musae, respectively. By GC-MS analysis, the ethyl acetate extract from T. trachyspermus AWP08-01 was detected containing benzoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecane and linoleic acid. These findings enhance our understanding of banana disease management and suggest the potential of T. trachyspermus for further development in management both pre-harvest and post-harvest banana diseases.