Biological control of bayoud disease in date palm: Selection of microorganisms inhibiting the causal agent and inducing defense reactions

Twenty-one isolates of microorganisms, including Bacillus spp., Rhizobium spp., Ulocladium atrum, Candida guilliermondii, Pseudomonas sp., Rahnella aquatilis and other bacteria not yet identified, were tested to determine their effects on the mycelial growth and the sporulation of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis (Foa), the causal agent of bayoud on date palm. The potential of these antagonists in the induction of defense reactions in date palm seedlings was also studied. Four bacteria, B. pumilus W1, R. aquatilis W2, B. cereus X16 and n.d. S1, have exhibited a high inhibition toward mycelial growth of Foa (70–77%), and its sporulation (80–95% of the control). Moreover, cytological alterations have been detected in the Foa mycelium grown in the inhibition zone. Application of these antagonists into date palm seedlings has led to trigger defense reactions with an accumulation of non-constitutive hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives, such as the sinapic derivative I2, known to play a crucial role in resistance of date palm to Foa. This reaction was more pronounced in resistant cultivar (BSTN) than in susceptible (JHL). The combined effects of direct and indirect actions of Foa antagonists are discussed in the hope of providing a biocontrol strategy against bayoud.