Antifungal, anti-oomycete and phytotoxic effects of volatile organic compounds from the endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. strain PB3f3 isolated from Haematoxylon brasiletto.

AIMS

To determine the antifungal, anti-oomycete and phytotoxic activity; and chemical composition of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by endophytic fungus Xylaria sp. PB3f3 isolated from Haematoxylon brasiletto Karst.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bioactivity and chemical composition of the VOCs from Xylaria sp. PB3f3 were established by using simple and multiple antagonism bioassays, and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, respectively. The results showed that Xylaria sp. PB3f3 inhibited the growth of the oomycetes Pythium aphanidermatum (78·3%), Phytophthora capsici (48·3%), and the fungi Alternaria solani (24·5%) and Fusarium oxysporum (24·2%), in multiple antagonism bioassays. Volatile organic compounds, produced at 20 and 30 days of fungal growth, inhibited root elongation on Amaranthus hypochondriacus (27·6%) and on Solanum lycopersicum (53·2%). Forty VOCs were identified at 10, 20 and 30 days in Xylaria sp. PB3f3 cultures. The compounds with the highest fibre affinity were: 3-methyl-1-butanol and thujopsene, at 10 days of fungal growth; an unidentified amine and 2-methyl-1-butanol at 20 days; and 2-methyl-1-propanol at 30 days. In the gas phase assay method 2-methyl-1-propanol and 2-methyl-1-butanol showed significant inhibitory effects on root elongation and germination of Am. hypochondriacus and S. lycopersicum.

CONCLUSIONS

Xylaria sp. PB3f3 and its VOCs showed significant phytotoxic effects on root elongation and germination of Am. hypochondriacus and S. lycopersicum.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The genus Xylaria produces a great variety of secondary metabolites, but, up date, there are no reports of the identification of bioactive volatile compounds. Thus, Xylaria sp. PB3f3 and its VOCs are a possible candidate for the biological control of weeds.