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<p>Endophytic fungi can play a crucial role in protecting plants against pathogens. Cupuaçu tree (<i>Theobroma grandiflorum</i>) is a commercially valuable crop significantly affected by witches’ broom, a disease caused by the pathogen <i>Moniliophthora perniciosa</i>. In the current study, we report the first investigation on the cultivable fungal endophytic community associated with the leaves and stems of <i>T. grandiflorum</i> in the Western Amazonia. We also selected 14 endophytic fungi to analyze hydrolytic enzymes and screen their antagonistic activity against <i>M. perniciosa</i> under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Our findings revealed that the diversity and composition of the endophytic communities did not differ significantly between the sampled leaf and stem tissues. Most of the endophytic fungi exhibited amylolytic activity (93%), while 71% showed cellulolytic activity and 43% displayed proteolytic activity. Additionally, antagonism assays with <i>M. perniciosa</i> revealed that <i>Trichoderma orientale</i> showed the highest growth inhibition (69.4%), followed by <i>Cunninghamella blakesleeana</i> (64.2%) and <i>T. tawa</i> (63.6%). In greenhouse experiments, <i>T. tawa</i> and <i>C. blakesleeana</i> significantly reduced infection by <i>M. perniciosa</i> by 50% and 70%, respectively. Plants co-inoculated with <i>C. blakesleeana</i> and the pathogen showed a significant increase in height, shoot dry biomass, and photosynthetic pigment content compared to plants infected only with <i>M. perniciosa</i>. Furthermore, the application of <i>T. tawa</i> and <i>C. blakesleeana</i> increased the levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids in healthy plants, indicating a beneficial interaction with the plant’s physiology. Thus, these fungi stand out as promising candidates for the development of bioinputs aimed at the sustainable management of diseases in cupuaçu cultivation in the Amazon.</p>

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Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Theobroma grandiflorum and their Potential for Biological Control of Witches’ Broom Disease and Promotion of Cupuaçu Seedling Growth in the Amazon

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月3日

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  • Jusley Souza Santos,
  • Nárcya Trindade de Souza,
  • Thalya da Silva Rodrigues,
  • Fernando José Fernandes Martins Jr.,
  • Laryssa dos Santos Prado,
  • Fernanda Viana Diniz,
  • Erlangela Rocha Viga,
  • Berenice Kussumoto de Alcântara da Silva,
  • Clarice Maia Carvalho,
  • Leila Priscila Peters

摘要

Endophytic fungi can play a crucial role in protecting plants against pathogens. Cupuaçu tree (Theobroma grandiflorum) is a commercially valuable crop significantly affected by witches’ broom, a disease caused by the pathogen Moniliophthora perniciosa. In the current study, we report the first investigation on the cultivable fungal endophytic community associated with the leaves and stems of T. grandiflorum in the Western Amazonia. We also selected 14 endophytic fungi to analyze hydrolytic enzymes and screen their antagonistic activity against M. perniciosa under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. Our findings revealed that the diversity and composition of the endophytic communities did not differ significantly between the sampled leaf and stem tissues. Most of the endophytic fungi exhibited amylolytic activity (93%), while 71% showed cellulolytic activity and 43% displayed proteolytic activity. Additionally, antagonism assays with M. perniciosa revealed that Trichoderma orientale showed the highest growth inhibition (69.4%), followed by Cunninghamella blakesleeana (64.2%) and T. tawa (63.6%). In greenhouse experiments, T. tawa and C. blakesleeana significantly reduced infection by M. perniciosa by 50% and 70%, respectively. Plants co-inoculated with C. blakesleeana and the pathogen showed a significant increase in height, shoot dry biomass, and photosynthetic pigment content compared to plants infected only with M. perniciosa. Furthermore, the application of T. tawa and C. blakesleeana increased the levels of chlorophylls and carotenoids in healthy plants, indicating a beneficial interaction with the plant’s physiology. Thus, these fungi stand out as promising candidates for the development of bioinputs aimed at the sustainable management of diseases in cupuaçu cultivation in the Amazon.