Potential of Myrothecium spp identified in the control of grapevine diseases

Study conducted by Chinese researchers revealed the potential of three species of the genus Myrothecium in the control of two of the main fungal diseases that affect grape production: anthracnose, caused by Elsinoe ampelina, and gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea.

Research highlights the use of fungus Albifimbria verrucaria (synonymous M. verrucaria) as an effective biocontrol agent and the identification of an active compound, verrucarin A, with potential to combat these diseases.

Tests have shown that culture filtrates of Myrothecium cinctum, Myrothecium roridum e A. verrucaria significantly inhibit the growth of pathogenic fungi.

A. verrucaria showed the best performance, reducing the incidence of anthracnose by up to 89,58% in leaves of the Thompson Seedless grape cultivar, six days after treatment. In relation to gray mold, the reduction was up to 49,38% in treated leaves.

In addition to its biocontrol efficacy, the study identified verrucarin A as the main antifungal compound. The substance was able to completely inhibit mycelial growth of E. ampelina e B. cinerea in concentrations of 20 µg/mL.

In experiments with Red Globe grapes, the application of verrucarin A reduced the incidence of gray mold by 10,49% and achieved a control efficacy of 66,22%.

More information can be found at doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.106285