P-072 - Formulation of Trichoderma cell-free filtrate in liposomes and its antifungal activity against Fusarium virguliforme

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

9:30 AM - 10:15 AM HST

Location: Exhibit Hall 3

Presenting Author(s)

MA

Ma. Theresa Jonna Atienza-Parcon

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL, USA

Author(s)

HP

Halil Polat

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
AV

Annie Vargas Lizarazo

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
MS

Mia Sinkiewicz

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
MR

Mandeep Redhu

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
KJ

Kaveh Javanshirjavid

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
PK

Punit Kohli

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
JB

Jason Bond

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, Illinois, United States
AF

Ahmad Fakhoury, n/a

Professor
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois, United States

Abstract Text: One of the most devastating diseases in soybeans is Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). In 2022, SDS caused 21 million bushels of yield loss in the United States and Ontario. SDS is caused by the plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium virguliforme. It infects soybean seedlings early in the growing season and produces phytotoxins in the roots that are translocated to the leaves, causing interveinal chlorosis and necrosis. Standard SDS management practices include the use of resistant cultivars and fungicide seed treatments. In order to complement these practices, additional technologies are needed to increase the available disease management options to producers and reduce the economic impact of the disease. Nowadays, biological control is a commonly used method of managing plant diseases. Several isolates belonging to the genus Trichoderma have been reported to be efficient biocontrol agents. Extraction and encapsulation of a cell-free filtrate from select Trichoderma sp. into nanoscale liposomes (nanoliposomes) were conducted in this study. Liposomes or lipid vesicles are widely used as carriers and delivery systems of small molecules. The nanoliposomes were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. In vitro assays showed that nanoliposomes inhibit the germination of spores and reduce the mycelial growth. Further studies will be conducted to identify the active antifungal compounds in the filtrate. The fungicidal activity of the nanoliposomes will be evaluated in greenhouse and microplot experiments.