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Purpose <p><i>Fusarium</i>-induced root rot poses a significant threat to avocado production, yet the mechanisms linking fungal community dynamics and biocontrol potential in affected soils remain unclear. This study aimed to compare fungal community composition, diversity, enzyme activities, and potential biocontrol agents in healthy and diseased avocado soils.</p> Methods <p>We employed high-throughput sequencing, quantitative PCR, soil physicochemical and enzymatic analyses—including β-glucosidase, urease, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase activities—alongside fungal isolation via dilution plating and dual-culture antagonism assays to compare microbial composition and potential function between healthy and diseased avocado soils. Functional prediction and co-occurrence network analyses were also conducted to assess microbial interactions and community stability.</p> Results <p>Root rot significantly altered the fungal community. Healthy soils were dominated by Basidiomycota, whereas diseased soils exhibited higher abundances of Ascomycota, particularly <i>Fusarium</i> (30.74 ± 9.23% vs. 8.31 ± 1.95%; <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). α-Diversity metrics revealed that root rot increased fungal richness (Chao1 index) but reduced overall diversity (Shannon index) in the rhizosphere. Functional predictions indicated that healthy soils supported beneficial fungi, such as ectomycorrhizal and endophytic taxa, while diseased soils were enriched in pathotrophic and saprotrophic fungi. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that diseased soils had destabilized microbial interactions with reduced node connectivity and modularity. We isolated <i>Trichoderma</i> (strain TF5) and <i>Penicillium</i> as potential biocontrol agents, with <i>Trichoderma</i> showing strong inhibition (&gt; 68.5%) against <i>Fusarium</i>. Additionally, β-glucosidase activity was higher in healthy soils, whereas urease activity was elevated in diseased soils.</p> Conclusion <p>These findings underscore the importance of promoting fungal diversity and beneficial microbes (e.g., <i>Trichoderma</i> inoculants) to restore rhizosphere resilience and suppress the root rot pathogen, supporting sustainable avocado production.</p>

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Fungal dynamics and biocontrol potential in Fusarium-induced avocado root rot soil

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月25日

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  • Chengxian Wang,
  • Zhijiao Song,
  • Xue Li,
  • Qing Liu

摘要

Purpose

Fusarium-induced root rot poses a significant threat to avocado production, yet the mechanisms linking fungal community dynamics and biocontrol potential in affected soils remain unclear. This study aimed to compare fungal community composition, diversity, enzyme activities, and potential biocontrol agents in healthy and diseased avocado soils.

Methods

We employed high-throughput sequencing, quantitative PCR, soil physicochemical and enzymatic analyses—including β-glucosidase, urease, and fluorescein diacetate hydrolase activities—alongside fungal isolation via dilution plating and dual-culture antagonism assays to compare microbial composition and potential function between healthy and diseased avocado soils. Functional prediction and co-occurrence network analyses were also conducted to assess microbial interactions and community stability.

Results

Root rot significantly altered the fungal community. Healthy soils were dominated by Basidiomycota, whereas diseased soils exhibited higher abundances of Ascomycota, particularly Fusarium (30.74 ± 9.23% vs. 8.31 ± 1.95%; P < 0.05). α-Diversity metrics revealed that root rot increased fungal richness (Chao1 index) but reduced overall diversity (Shannon index) in the rhizosphere. Functional predictions indicated that healthy soils supported beneficial fungi, such as ectomycorrhizal and endophytic taxa, while diseased soils were enriched in pathotrophic and saprotrophic fungi. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that diseased soils had destabilized microbial interactions with reduced node connectivity and modularity. We isolated Trichoderma (strain TF5) and Penicillium as potential biocontrol agents, with Trichoderma showing strong inhibition (> 68.5%) against Fusarium. Additionally, β-glucosidase activity was higher in healthy soils, whereas urease activity was elevated in diseased soils.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the importance of promoting fungal diversity and beneficial microbes (e.g., Trichoderma inoculants) to restore rhizosphere resilience and suppress the root rot pathogen, supporting sustainable avocado production.