SporSenZ microbial discovery platform for Fusarium biocontrol agents

Overview

FungiAlert has developed SporSenZ, a proprietary microbial screening and sampling platform designed to discover beneficial microorganisms directly from agricultural soils. The technology was validated in a 2019 study in UK onion fields, where SporSenZ successfully identified microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) effective against a new race of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae. Of 68 microbial isolates collected and characterised, 30 were classified as beneficial candidates and 2 demonstrated strong antagonistic activity against the pathogen in in-vitro bioassays.

FungiAlert now proposes applying the same proven approach to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FOCTR4), the causal agent of Panama disease in Cavendish bananas. By sampling banana plantations with varying disease profiles, the platform can build a microbial library containing both pathogenic and mycoparasitic (parasitic on other fungi) microbes, then identify isolates with antagonistic activity against FOCTR4. The best candidates will be developed into biofungicides through fermentation, in-planta testing, and formulation work.

Technical specifications

SporSenZ sampling technology:

• In-field passive sampling devices deployed directly in agricultural soils to capture native microbial communities
• Periodic deployment strategy using at least 5 SporSenZ per field on a monthly basis across diverse disease profiles (severely affected to asymptomatic)
• Microbial library generation from soils with natural pathogen suppression
• Genomic characterisation of all isolated microbes to identify mycoparasitic and antagonistic candidates
• In-vitro bioassays to validate biocontrol activity against target pathogens

Validated performance in onions:

• 30 SporSenZ deployed over 6 months in a single field with disease history
• 68 microbial isolates collected and characterised
• 30 beneficial candidates identified (biocontrol or biostimulant)
• 18 isolates with confirmed mycoparasitic activity
• 2 isolates with very strong antagonistic activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae

Proposed application for banana Panama disease:

• Targeted sampling across Latin American banana plantations over a full year
• Minimum 5 SporSenZ per field, sampled monthly
• Characterisation pipeline combining genomics with in-vitro activity screening
• Development pathway through fermentation, formulation, and field testing

Technology readiness level

The SporSenZ platform has been validated at Technology Readiness Level 6-7 for the onion Fusarium application, with successful field sampling, microbial isolation, genomic characterisation, and in-vitro confirmation of biocontrol activity completed. Two lead candidate isolates have been identified.

For the banana Panama disease (FOCTR4) application, the technology is at an earlier stage. The proposed Latin American sampling campaign represents the first phase of discovery, requiring access to banana plantations with diverse disease profiles. FungiAlert is seeking a partnership that provides access to relevant banana plantations in affected countries, facilitates the sampling study, and supports further development of the best-performing candidates through fermentation, in-planta testing, and formulation activities.