Open Access

ARTICLE

Combining Ammonium Molybdate with Antagonistic Bacteria for Effective Control of Brown Rot Disease

Kenza Bouzoubaa^1,#, Rachid Ezzouggari^1,2,#, Abdellatif Boutagayout¹, Rachid Lahlali^1,*

1 Phytopathology Unit, Department of Plant Protection, Ecole Nationale d'Agriculture de Meknes, Meknes, 50001, Morocco
2 Laboratory of Biotechnology, Conservation and Valorisation of Natural Resources (LBCVNR), Faculty of Sciences Dhar El Mehraz, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdallah University, Fez, 30000, Morocco

* Corresponding Author: Rachid Lahlali. Email:
# These authors contributed equally to this work

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Innovations in Post-Harvest Disease Control and Quality Preservation of Horticultural Crops)

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2025, 94(5), 1565-1586. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2025.063517

Received 16 January 2025; Accepted 16 April 2025; Issue published 29 May 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the compatibility and efficacy of combining ammonium molybdate (AM) with antagonistic bacteria Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10W10 and Pseudomonas sp. B11W11 for brown rot control (Monilinia laxa). In vitro experiments reveal variable mycelial growth inhibition rates compared to untreated controls, with B11W11 + 0.5% AM and B10W10 + 2% AM displaying the highest inhibition rates after 5 days. After 10 days, the 2% AM + B10W10 combination exhibits the highest inhibition rate. Microscopic observations show structural alterations in mycelium within inhibition zones, marked by vacuolization. The antagonistic bacteria, alone or with different ammonium molybdate concentrations, significantly impact M. laxa spore germination, with the B10W10 cell filtrate + 2% ammonium molybdate combination achieving the most substantial inhibition. Conversely, the 0.5% ammonium molybdate treatment has the lowest inhibition rate while the combination of AM and bacteria is giving better results compared to the use of bacteria alone. Fruits treated with various antagonistic bacteria and ammonium molybdate combinations demonstrate a significant reduction in disease severity. The 0.5% AM + B10W10 combination exhibits the lowest severity. FT-IR spectra analysis identifies shifts in fungal biomass functional groups, with reduced lignin-related bands and increased phenols, lipids, polysaccharides, and carbohydrates. This highlights the structural modifications caused by the biological treatments. The study also evaluates the effects on fruit quality parameters. The 2% ammonium molybdate treatment yields the lowest weight loss. TSS levels are affected by salt concentration, while acid content remains consistent across treatments. All treatments influence fruit firmness compared to controls. These findings emphasize the potential of combining ammonium molybdate and antagonistic bacteria for effective brown rot control, highlighting their compatibility and effects on disease severity, fungal biomass, spore germination, and fruit quality.

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