Fungus Fighters: Wood Ants (Formica polyctena) and Their Associated Microbes Inhibit Plant Pathogenic Fungi.

ABSTRACT: Plant diseases cost the global economy billions of US dollars every year. The problem has mainly been addressed by using chemical pesticides, but recently, the use of ants has shown promising effects against plant pathogens. However, the mechanisms accounting for these effects have not yet been determined. One possible explanation is antimicrobial microorganisms associated with ants. Through controlled laboratory experiments, we investigated the inhibitory effects of wood ants (Formica polyctena) and their associated microorganisms against economically important plant pathogenic fungi. All live ants, extracts from crushed ants, and extracts from washed ants significantly inhibited the apple brown rot (Monilinia fructigena) while yielding the growth of other microbes. Furthermore, all inves

SUBMITTER: Jensen IC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11582330 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature