Lactic acid bacteria biocontrol for vascular wilt disease in cape gooseberry
AGROSAVIA is developing a biological control solution using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to protect cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) crops from vascular wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum. Greenhouse and in vitro studies show LAB strains reduce disease symptoms and activate salicylic acid-mediated plant defense pathways, offering a sustainable alternative for Colombian growers.
Overview
Vascular wilt disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. physali (Foph) is the primary limiting factor for the production and export of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) in Colombia. AGROSAVIA researchers are developing a biological control approach using lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains that antagonize Foph and stimulate the plant's own defense mechanisms. Preliminary greenhouse and in vitro studies have demonstrated that selected LAB strains significantly delay the appearance of vascular wilt symptoms and induce the expression of key defense genes, offering a promising, sustainable alternative to chemical fungicides for one of Colombia's most important fruit export crops.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Three LAB strains with confirmed antagonism against Foph under in vitro conditions
- LAB strains survive exposure to fusaric acid at concentrations of 200–400 ppm, indicating tolerance to a key fungal virulence factor
- Greenhouse validation (n=10 plants per treatment, three replicates) showed statistically significant reduction in vascular wilt symptom development (p<0.05)
- qPCR analysis confirmed significant upregulation of defense-related genes PAL1 and PR1 in plants inoculated with Foph plus LAB (p<0.05)
- Three application formats evaluated: LAB supernatant only, LAB cells only, and combined cell plus supernatant
- Proposed mechanism: activation of the salicylic acid (SA)-mediated defense pathway, involving marker genes SID2, EDS5, NPR1, and PR1
- Future validation will include time-course sampling at 0, 24, and 48 hours post-inoculation to confirm SA pathway activation in the Foph–cape gooseberry interaction
Technology readiness level
The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development (TRL 3–4). In vitro antagonism and greenhouse efficacy data have been generated, and preliminary molecular evidence supports the proposed mechanism of defense activation. The next phase involves targeted gene expression studies (SID2, EDS5, NPR1, PR1) under greenhouse conditions to confirm the SA pathway as the mode of action, followed by larger-scale field validation and formulation development before commercial deployment.
About Agrosavia
AGROSAVIA is Colombia’s public agricultural R&D corporation near Bogotá, operating a nationwide network of research centers and experimental farms. Co-located labs, greenhouses, pilot plots and living collections—including national germplasm banks—enable rapid prototyping and access to diverse genetic resources. An outreach and innovation network links companies and producer groups to multi-site trials and farmer engagement across varied agroecological zones. Research is backed by the Government of Colombia—principally the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development—with competitive national and international funding, and a technology transfer function to structure collaboration and IP.
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