Paenibacillus alvei K165 and Fusarium oxysporum F2: Potential Biocontrol Agents against Phaeomoniella chlamydospora in Grapevines

In the last two decades grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) have emerged as the most significant threat for grapevine sustainability worldwide. The tracheomycotic fungus Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (Pch) is the predominant GTD-associated species and cannot be controlled with available chemicals. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of two microbial strains (Paenibacillus alvei K165 and Fusarium oxysporum F2) against Pch in grapevine. In vitro bioassays, performed in a growth culture medium simulating the xylem environment, indicated that F2 decreased Pch growth and sporulation, whereas K165 did not have any effect on Pch growth. In planta experiments revealed that root-drench and stem-puncture application of K165 and F2 reduced the endophytic relative DNA amount of Pch by 90% and 82%, respectively, compared to controls. However, wood discoloration, the typical symptom of Pch infection, was not reduced in the F2 treated grapevines. Nevertheless, the F2 treated grapevines harbored higher lignin levels compared to mocks, as it was also done by K165. Therefore, F2 and K165 have the potential to be used as biocontrol agents against Pch in grapevines.