Pheno-molecular insights into the biocontrol of banana fusarium wilt by Trichoderma yunnanense SB8

Microbial biocontrol agents, particularly Trichoderma spp. are increasingly utilized in agricultural production to suppress plant pathogens and reduce reliance on agrochemicals. Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense Tropical Race 4 (FocTR4) is a devastating pathogen causing Fusarium wilt in banana, with virulence largely driven by Secreted in Xylem (SIX) effector proteins that disrupt host defence mechanisms. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma yunnanense strain SB8 against FocTR4 and its influence on the expression of virulence-associated SIX genes. Antagonistic assays were conducted followed by in-planta experiment in which banana plants were pre-treated with SB8 prior to FocTR4 inoculation. Disease severity was assessed, and expression levels of selected SIX genes (SIX1i, SIX6, SIX8a, and SIX9a) were analysed. The results demonstrated that SB8 inhibited FocTR4 growth by 87.21%. Pre-treated banana plants exhibited reduced disease symptoms and severity compared to untreated FocTR4-inoculated controls. Gene expression analysis revealed lower expression levels of SIX genes (0.8-fold–2.0-fold change) in banana plants pre-treated with SB8 compared to the higher levels in untreated FocTR4-inoculated plants (1.4-fold–4.2-fold change). Hence, these findings highlight the potential of T. yunnanense SB8 as an effective biocontrol agent capable of suppressing FocTR4, thereby promoting sustainable strategy for managing Fusarium wilt in banana cultivation.

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