Abstract
This study investigated the inhibitory activity of Halobacillus trueperi S61 and its active extract on potato dry rot pathogens and aimed at contributing to biocontrol agent development during potato storage. Three kinds of pathogens were isolated as target pathogenic fungi from dry rot tubers and determined as Fusarium acuminatum (Qing 9A-2), Fusarium equisetai (Qing 9A-5-8) and Fusarium tricinctum (Qing 9A-1-1) by morphological and molecular identification. The strain Halobacillus trueperi S61 and its extract exhibited a higher inhibitory rate on both three pathogens (56.32-65.75 and 1.67-51.11%), notably the best suppression efficiency is presented in Halobacillus trueperi S61 and 40 mg/mL ethyl acetate extract. In terms of in vivo effects, both Halobacillus trueperi S61 and its ethyl acetate extract effectively reduced the decayed fruit and weight loss rate (0-20% and 7.59-16.56%) and enhanced the defensive enzymatic activities to improve resistance. In addition, strain S61 could be colonized on potato tubers, especially the highest amount of 1.55 × 10(7) CFU/mL on fifth day for variety Xiazhai 65. Overall, Halobacillus trueperi S61 and its ethyl acetate extract could be considered as potential approach for biocontrol potato dry rot.