A team of researchers from Shenyang Agricultural University has developed a potent Bacillus-based biocontrol formulation that successfully suppresses Cytospora mali—the pathogen responsible for the destructive apple Valsa canker disease. The study, published in Annals of Microbiology (2025), highlights a sustainable microbial solution for protecting Hanfu apple trees from severe fungal infections.
Apple Valsa canker, caused by Cytospora mali, has emerged as a significant threat to global apple production, particularly in cold-resistant cultivars like Hanfu apples. Existing control strategies heavily rely on chemical fungicides, which contribute to environmental pollution and the development of pathogen resistance. Addressing this challenge, the researchers isolated 123 Bacillus strains from Xinjiang wild fruit forest soils and identified three top-performing species — B. subtilis Bsu181, B. licheniformis Bli279, and B. amyloliquefaciens Bam190.
The compound agent formulated from these strains exhibited remarkable disease control efficacy (74.8–81.9%) through multiple synergistic pathways:
- Direct inhibition of fungal growth: Achieving 75–97% inhibition rates against C. mali and causing severe mycelial deformation.
- Activation of plant defense mechanisms: Increasing peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme activity while upregulating defense genes such as PR1 and PR4.
- Growth enhancement: Improving stomatal opening and photosynthetic activity for stronger, healthier trees.
- Soil microbiome improvement: Enriching beneficial fungi like Mortierella and Chaetomium while reducing harmful genera such as Penicillium and Cladophialophora.
This eco-friendly microbial solution demonstrates how combining multiple Bacillus species can provide durable, multifaceted protection against apple pathogens while fostering soil and plant health. The research presents a promising alternative to chemical fungicides and lays the groundwork for next-generation microbial biofertilizers in sustainable fruit production.
Reference
Yang, Y., Tian, Z., Kong, N., Zhang, H., Han, J., Yu, J., Ma, Y., & Liu, Z. (2025). Compound Bacillus agents inhibit Cytospora mali-induced valsa canker in Hanfu apple trees through multiple pathways. Annals of Microbiology, 75(1), 30. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13213-025-01821-x
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