Phloridzin promotes the growth of Fusarium moniliforme (Fusarium verticillioides)

•F. moniliforme could be labeled successfully with SiC quantum dots for a long-term tracing.•The presence of phloridzin did not influence the labeled SiC quantum dots.•The growth and conidia division of F. moniliforme were fast with the help of phloridzin.•Phloridzin could promote the growth and conidia division of F. moniliforme under the experimental concentration.

Apple replant disease (ARD) has been reported from all major fruit-growing regions of the world, and is often caused by biotic (pathogen fungi) and abiotic (phenolic compounds) factors. However, how phenolic compounds affect pathogen fungi is not yet fully understood. The aims of this study were to investigate whether the Fusarium moniliforme (F. moniliforme, a soil-borne pathogen of apple) could be labeled with fluorescent silicon carbide (SiC) quantum dots for a long-term tracing, and to observe the effect of phloridzin on the growth and conidia morphology of F. moniliforme with the help of fluorescence labeling with SiC quantum dots. The phloridzin was set to three concentrations (0 mM, 0.5 mM and 1.0 mM). Results showed that F. moniliforme could be labeled with SiC quantum dots and that the fluorescence in the mycelium could be observed for at least 40 days. The fluorescent images during the labeling process showed that F. moniliforme growth and division were slower when there was no phloridzin. The growth and division of F. moniliforme were fast with the help of phloridzin, and the growth and division were faster in the 1.0 mM phloridzin than in the 0.5 mM phloridzin. These results suggested that SiC quantum dots could successfully label F. moniliforme for a long-term tracing, and phloridzin could promote the growth and conidia division of F. moniliforme under the experimental concentration.