- Rhodotorula toruloides: A novel and efficient biological control agent for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in cucumber

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Graduated MSc Student, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Urmia

2 Assistant Prof., Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, P.O. Box 165, Urmia, Iran

3 Resercher

4 Forest and rangelands Department,West Azarbaijan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, AREEO, Urmia, Iran.

Abstract

Fusarium Wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Cucumerinum is one of the most important diseases of cucumber in fields and greenhouses worldwide. The use of antagonists, including yeasts, has been proposed as a safe method to control this disease. This study investigated the biocontrol potential of 16 yeast isolates obtained from the cucumber phyllosphere and rhizosphere against the pathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum. In evaluating the biocontrol potential of the isolates against the pathogenic fungus, isolates J1 Rhodotorula. toruloides, J5 Moesziomyces aphidis, and J7 Metschnikowia sinensis showed the highest inhibition of fungal mycelial growth. Based on dual culture experiments and the production of antifungal volatile compounds, two isolates (J1 R. toruloides and J7 Me. Sinensis) were selected for evaluating disease control under greenhouse conditions. In greenhouse experiments, isolates J7 and especially J1 significantly reduced the disease index of cucumber Fusarium wilt, with disease control efficacy of approximately 89.79% for J1 and 87.29% for J7. Possible biocontrol mechanisms, including biofilm formation, siderophore production, and secretion of extracellular enzymes, were investigated in all isolates. Some isolates exhibited the ability to produce these enzymes and compounds. Isolates J1 Rh. toruloides, J5 Mo. aphidis, and J7 Me. sinensis demonstrated siderophore production and biofilm formation capabilities, suggesting that these traits—particularly siderophore production—play a key role in inhibiting the growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. Overall, the results of this study indicated that isolate J1 has high potential as a biocontrol agent for managing Fusarium wilt disease in cucumbers.

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Plant Pathology
Volume 60, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 265-281

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