Effect of mycofumigation on soilborne and seed pathogens

Muscodor albus, an endophytic fungus obtained from Cinnamomum zeylanicum, produces volatile compounds which effectively inhibit and kill certain bacteria and plant pathogenic fungi. The antimicrobial use of M. albus and its volatile compounds is coined mycofumigation. Control of soilborne fungi by mycofumigation was examined in field trials by placing nylon bags with Aphanomyces cochlioides, Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani infested soil at different soil depths (0, 10, 20, 30 cm). M. albus grown on barley was spread over the top and covered with a 5 cm soil layer and black plastic mulch. The nylon bags were removed after 7 days of mycofumigation and sugarbeet seeds were planted in the mycofumigated soil. Based on seedling establishment, mycofumigation with M. albus appears to be most effective at depths of 20 to 30 cm. In other experiments, a chemical cocktail of the volatile compounds emitted by M. albus and a stabileze formulation of the fungus were tested in greenhouse experiments by treating infested soil with the cocktail or stabileze formulation and monitoring the establishment of sugarbeet seedlings. Results showed significantly better emergence of seedlings in the cocktail and stabileze treatments compared to the pathogen control. The influence of M. albus and artificial mixtures derived from the compounds emitted by M. albus were tested on several seed pathogens in storage conditions (dry and moist). Results indicated reduction in seed infection while preserving germination ability in comparison to non-treated controls.