Fungal endophyte combination for plant disease control and soil quality improvement

Overview

This solution combines three fungal endophyte strains into a natural product prototype designed to protect crops from disease and improve soil quality. The combination targets three critical agricultural challenges: bacterial fruit blotch (cucurbits), fusarium wilt (tomato), and early blight (tomato, potato), while simultaneously acting as a biofertilizer to stimulate plant growth. By leveraging microorganisms that naturally colonize plant tissues, the prototype offers a sustainable alternative to conventional pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, with potential applications across cucurbits, tomato, chili, and rice production.

Technical specifications

Three-strain fungal endophyte combination:

• Neocosmospora sp. MFLUCC 17-0253: Inhibits growth and biofilm development of Acidovorax citrulli, reducing bacterial fruit blotch severity by up to 80% in disc diffusion, time-kill, and MIC assays. In planta trials confirmed distinct metabolic profiles between treated and untreated seedlings.
• Xylaria feejeensis SRNE2BP: Crude extract inhibits Fusarium oxysporum growth by 60–75% and Alternaria solani by 56–87%. Soil inoculation reduced fusarium wilt in tomatoes by at least two-fold compared to controls.
• Daldinia sp. MFLUCC 20-0125: Produces the highest levels of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, a plant growth hormone) and demonstrates strong phosphate solubilization, stimulating growth of tomato and corn seedlings as a fertilizer prototype.

Mechanism of action: During colonization of host plant tissues and soil, these endophytes produce secondary metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, and plant-growth-regulatory properties, delivering both disease suppression and growth promotion in a single application.

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at laboratory-to-greenhouse validation stage (TRL 4–5). Individual strain efficacy has been demonstrated through in vitro assays and in planta experiments. The next phase requires field trials with target crops (cucurbits, tomato, chili, rice), environmental impact assessment, and regulatory data collection to support biocontrol and/or biofertilizer approval. The research team plans to complete field validation within one year and is actively seeking partners to support field trials, risk assessment, permitting, and funding for key personnel.