Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Investigating the Biocontrol Potential of the Natural Bacterial Flora of the Apple Blossom

Version 1 : Received: 19 November 2022 / Approved: 25 November 2022 / Online: 25 November 2022 (07:21:57 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Schnyder, A.; Eberl, L.; Agnoli, K. Investigating the Biocontrol Potential of the Natural Microbiota of the Apple Blossom. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 2480. Schnyder, A.; Eberl, L.; Agnoli, K. Investigating the Biocontrol Potential of the Natural Microbiota of the Apple Blossom. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 2480.

Abstract

Erwinia amylovora, the causative agent of fire blight, leads to important economic losses of apple and pear crops worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the potential of the resident bacterial flora of the apple blossom in combatting plant disease-causing organisms, with a focus on strains that show potential for controlling fire blight. We collected samples of apple blossoms from dif-ferent sites around Canton Zurich, some grown with and some without the use of conventional pesticides, and isolated 538 strains which we tested for activity against Pectobacterium carotovorum and E. amylovora. We also tested the isolates against oomycete and fungal pathogens, to evaluate them for additional potential as biocontrol agents. Nine isolates showed activity against P. ca-rotovorum and eight of these against E. amylovora. Furthermore, 117 showed antifungal and 161 anti-oomycete activity. Five strains showed activity against all classes of pathogen and were tested in a detached apple model for anti-E. amylovora activity. Of these five strains, two were able to antagonise E. amylovora; Bacillus velezensis #124 and Pantoea agglomerans #378. We also show that B. velezensis #124 exhibits strong activity against three different fungi and two oomycetes in vitro, suggesting that this strain might have broad potential for biocontrol. Our results showcase the potential of the natural apple blossom flora. We isolated two candidate biocontrol strains from apple blossoms, suggesting that they can persist at the most common entry point for the causative agent of fire blight. Furthermore, they are probably already part of the human diet, suggesting they are safe for consumption and thus are promising candidates for biocontrol applications.

Keywords

Biocontrol; fire blight; Erwinia amylovora

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Immunology and Microbiology

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