Rhizospheric Penicillium and Talaromyces strains in Austrocedrus chilensis native forests: Identification and evaluation of biocontrol candidates against the pathogen Phytophthora austrocedri

Abstract

To compare Penicillium diversity associated with Austrocedrus chilensis in sites with and without ARD (Austrocedrus root disease); and to relate this with Penicillium biocontrol activity against ARD, to evaluate if Penicillium species could be involved in the protection against ARD.Methods and results: Isolations in different culture media were made from sites with and without prevalence of ARD. Isolates were phenotypically and molecularly identified. Penicillium communities were compared through multivariate analyses. Biocontrol activity of Penicillium isolates was evaluated using co-cultures. Penicillium community were more complex in sites with ARD. Several Penicillium species were isolated from all sites, and five species were exclusively isolated from sites with ARD. Penicillium glabrum, T. amestolkiae, P. palitans and P. crustosum showed the highest biocontrol effect.Conclusions: Results suggest that dominant Penicillium species could play a key role in the protection of A. chilensis, allowing the growth of new seedlings even in sites with a high incidence of ARD. Significance and impact of the study: Our results highlight the role of the Penicillium community composition in the preservation of the health status of A. chilensis, suggesting that the inoculation of Penicillium species in soil could be a useful tool to control ARD in native forests.