Biological Control of Pear Valsa Canker Caused by Valsa pyri Using Penicillium citrinum

Valsa canker caused by pyri is one of the most destructive diseases commercial pear. For present analysis, 29 different endophytic fungal strains were isolated from branches a healthy pear tree. In dual culture assays, strain ZZ1 exhibited robust antifungal activity against all tested pathogens including pyri. Microscopic analyses suggested that following co-culture with ZZ1, hyphae V. ragged, thin, and ruptured. also induced significant decreases in lesion length disease incidence on detached inoculated isolate-derived filtrates pyri, decreasing mycelial growth conidium germination inhibiting pyri-associated development branches. These results suggest isolate has potential for use as biological control agent The was further identified Penicillium citrinum based its morphological characteristics molecular analyses. Overall, these data highlight potentially valuable new biocontrol resource combating canker.