AUTHOR=Zhang Ji-Wei , Han Jun-Ru , Zhao Fei-Fei , Huang Xi-Rong , Hu Jin-Ling , Li Jin-Yang , Zhu Kai , Mao Lang , Li Zi-Han , Xia Jing-Yang , Su Jie-Ting , Liang Ze-Hua , Wang Xian-Gong , Ni Xian-Lin , Shi Yan-Nan , Wang Zhi-Fang , Jiao Zhi-Yin , Wang Jin-Ping , Lv Peng 

TITLE=Evaluation of biocontrol agents for the management of sorghum anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum sublineola

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Plant Science

VOLUME=Volume 16 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2025.1728722

DOI=10.3389/fpls.2025.1728722

ISSN=1664-462X

ABSTRACT=Sorghum anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineola, poses a severe threat to global sorghum production. In China, the rising demand for organic sorghum used in Baijiu brewing underscores the urgent need for effective biocontrol agents or microbial formulations, which remain scarce. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of six biofungicides and two microbial agents against sorghum anthracnose. All tested biocontrol agents and microbial inoculants significantly inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination of C. sublineola in vitro. Iron chlorin exhibited the lowest EC50; values for inhibition mycelial growth and spore germination, followed by pterostilbene. In greenhouse trials, Pterostilbene and Iron chlorin significantly reduced disease severity, with control efficacies of 41.3% and 51.7%, respectively, whereas Bacillus subtilis and Trichoderma harzianumachieved higher efficacies of 73.0% and 65.5%, respectively. Field trials conducted at two sites in Southwest China further confirmed pterostilbene as the most effective treatment, followed by B. subtilis. Collectively, our results highlight pterostilbene and B. subtilis as promising biocontrol agents. Their application could reduce reliance on chemical fungicides and mitigate associated environmental risks. These findings provide practical and eco-friendly strategies for anthracnose management, supporting the sustainable cultivation of organic sorghum.