Make it grow, Pseudozyma aphidis extract promotes plant growth

Abstract

Increasing global population demands higher agricultural yield while avoiding the use of harmful products in agriculture. The use of beneficial micro-organisms is an Eco-friendly approach to reduce the use of fertilizers and plant growth promoting (PGP) products. This study is focused on the fungus Pseudozyma aphidis (P. aphidis), a yeast like dimorphic fungus beneficial to plants and related to the phytopathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis that causes corn smut disease. Our lab isolated a unique P. aphidis strain (PA12) that has shown significant plant protection and plant growth activity. We extracted and screened the active PGP fraction from PA12, calibrated treatment dosage and application method. Tomato, corn and melon plants treated with PA12 extract exhibited; increased germination, shoot length, biomass and higher yield. Our results demonstrate the potential of P. aphidis extract application as an eco-friendly PGP agent that can contribute to reduction of harmful agricultural products usage.