Efficacy of biofungicides based on Bacillus against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and their influence on rhizosphere fungal communities
I. P. Pinchuk, A. K. Tkhakakhova, N. S. Tomashevich [et al.]
Rhizosphere. – 2025. – Vol. 34. – P. 101056.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rhisph.2025.101056
Fungal phytopathogens cause crop diseases that pose a serious threat to food security worldwide. The most common and effective method to control crop diseases is the use of chemical fungicides. However, chemical fungicides can negatively impact the environment, human health, and the abundance and diversity of beneficial soil microorganisms. Environmentally friendly methods based on biological control agents (BCAs) have been proven to be selective and effective against phytopathogens, making them a viable ecological alternative to chemical fungicides. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of BCAs based on Bacillus spp. against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis) and to assess their effect on fungal communities in the rhizosphere of apple trees compared to chemical fungicides. We evaluated Bacillus velezensis BZR 336g (3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 l ha 1) and Fitosporin-M, L, based on the Bacillus subtilis strain 26D (2.0 l ha 1), as biofungicides, and chemical treatments using Zato, WDG (trifloxystrobin 500 g l 1) and Score, EC (difenoconazole 250 g l 1). We assessed disease incidence on apple leaves and fruits, fruit yield, as well as the abundance and diversity of rhizosphere