Methods and results

The effects of bacterial volatiles on Fusarium wilt in pigeonpea investigated through in planta assays, applied before and after infection, revealed both direct, antifungal effects, and indirect, plant immunity-mediated effects. The potential dialogue between the biocontrol strains and F. udum, studied by monitoring the changes in bacterial volatile emission in strains exposed to the volatiles of the phytopathogenic fungus using connected microcosms, led to the identification of bacterial volatiles whose emission was upregulated upon exposure to F. udum. Applying these as synthetic compounds resulted in successful mitigation of Fusarium wilt in pigeonpea.

Conclusion

The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by native members of the pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.) microbiota effectively protected this crop against vascular wilt caused by F. udum under controlled conditions. Further, the potential of synthetic volatiles was demonstrated as effective biocontrol strategy, providing a promising alternative to chemical pesticides and inconsistent conventional bioinoculants.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-08093-z

A new publication with the FRIC affiliation from Prof. Laure Weisskopf's group in collaboration with a team from India.