Sweetpotato growers worldwide may soon have a natural solution to one of their most damaging postharvest diseases.
A groundbreaking study published in Postharvest Biology and Technology reports that a strain of Bacillus velezensis—named ATC-AL—shows remarkable potential to control Ceratocystis fimbriata, the fungus responsible for black rot in sweetpotatoes.
Researchers from Jiangsu Normal University and the Xuzhou Institute of Agricultural Sciences isolated the B. velezensis ATC-AL strain and extracted its active antifungal substances (AAS). Laboratory tests showed that these compounds strongly inhibited fungal growth and spore germination. Genome sequencing revealed multiple biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for producing secondary metabolites, including bacilysin, surfactin, and fengycin—compounds known for their potent antifungal properties.
Through LC-MS/MS chemical analysis and microscopy, the team demonstrated that AAS damaged the fungal cell wall and membrane, induced oxidative stress, and triggered mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis (cell death) in C. fimbriata. When tested on sweetpotato tubers, the extract significantly reduced disease severity and rot formation.
The study concludes that B. velezensis ATC-AL operates through multi-target antifungal mechanisms, making it a strong candidate for eco-friendly biocontrol applications in postharvest preservation. This discovery could pave the way for reducing chemical fungicide dependence and promoting sustainable agricultural production.
Reference
Geng, Q., Wang, S., Qin, Y., Zhu, Z., Ma, B., Hu, B., Hua, K., Zhuo, Q., Song, F., Ma, D., Yang, K., & Tian, J. (2026). Biocontrol potential of Bacillus velezensis ATC-AL against Ceratocystis fimbriata and its application in sweetpotato postharvest preservation. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 231, 113941. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113941
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