Identification and characterization of alternative means to control phytopathogenic microorganisms (POME-protect)
Projektdurchführung
Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)
Bundesforschungsinstitut für Kulturpflanzen
Institut für Epidemiologie und Pathogendiagnostik
Messeweg 11 - 12
38104 Braunschweig
Zielsetzung
Albania is struggling, with relatively low productivity and problems related to food security and safety. Crop diseases caused by pathogenic fungi pose a significant economic challenge and result in substantial yield losses. Traditional approaches to disease management, such as chemical fungicides, have limitations such as environmental concerns, development of resistances, and potential harm to beneficial organisms. The use of natural products for disease control seems therefore a promising alternative compared to the use of synthetic fungicides. Biological control of pests with plant extracts or epiphytic antagonists (e. g. bacteria or fungi) can help to avoid or reduce the intense application of fungicides and hence minimize their residues. Studies regarding the relationship between plant and pathogens help us to understand the mechanism of biological disease control. Such approaches would strengthen the sustainable agriculture.
In the proposed POME-protect project, we aim to substantiate those studies. We aim to verify if spray-inoculation with the leaf extract from G. glabra (biocontrol agent P1) would prevent infection or lower the infection rates in vitro and in vivo. And at the same time, we will assess the bio-stimulant effectiveness: i. g. increasing the resistence of apple and pomegranates from Albania.
To this end, we plan laboratory and greenhouse experiments in Germany, both are available at the JKI institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostic in Braunschweig. Here, we will focus on the molecular and microbiological aspects of this project.
In addition, we will conduct field experimentation in Albania:
1. At the Agro-Iliria farm, which grows pomegranates dedicated for export.
2. In the region of Korça, main apple cultivation area in Albania. Implementation will be done in different apple cultivars planted at the Agricultural Technology Transfer Center (QTTB). This Center is responsible for introducing technological packages for the biological management of apple orchards, focusing on alternative control methods to promote sustainable agriculture.
Arbeitsschritte
The aim of our study is to identify and characterize alternative means to control phytopathogenic microorganisms through the use of plant extracts (leaves of G. glabra) as well as provide the basis knowledge for microbial agents such as, microbial antagonists (bacteria or fungi) for further use.
These findings will serve as a practical guide for implementing alternative control strategies in order to avoid or to reduce the intense application of fungicides, minimize their residues and contribute to food security.
Systematic monitoring in the pomegranate and apple orchards for the presence of major pathogens.
• Pathogen presence
Assessment of present pathogens, taking into account the available samples, symptoms, and naturally occurring infections.
In addition to macro and micro morphology, this study will use molecular techniques for identification of fungi from monosporal cultures.
• Pathogenicity tests
Study of the epidemiology and virulence of pathogens in different systems, as well as mitigation strategies:
a) Spray-inoculation with P1 (leaf extract from G. glabra), including test of P1 efficacy in laboratory conditions. Those tests will include biocontrol activity or/and biostimulant activity as well as tests of P1 effects in field conditions;
b) Selecting potential antagonists that inhibit pathogens sporulation. In vitro tests of antagonists’ inhibitory effects on selected pathogens, followed by potential testing of the selected antagonists on planta in greenhouse conditions. Field tests will be performed only with selected antagonist strains, which will fulfill the particular criteria. It is important to note that we do not intent to develop a product, nor perform tests required for a registration of potential product based on the identified strains, such activities might be performed by specialized companies in a second step.
• Design of protection programs with Plant Protection Products according to IPM programs.
Activities linked to the intended objectives of our study will be executed in Albania at the QTTB Korçë & Agro-Iliria farm and at the Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) Federal Research Institute for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Epidemiology and Pathogen Diagnostic, Germany. Tests with isolates will be performed in specialized laboratories (S1 or S2 level if required) at the JKI-EP.
Ergebnisse
DBU-Report, October 2025 POME-Protect Report
Introduction
The POME-Protect project develops sustainable alternatives for controlling phytopathogenic fungi in Albanian apple and pomegranate orchards.
Pathogen Identification
WP1 and WP4 have been partially completed for both apple and pomegranate.
Systematic sampling and isolation of the major fungal pathogens in Albanian orchards is carried out.
A first report on Coniella granati as as the causal agent of postharvest fruit rot of pomegranate in Albania has been submitted to the Plant Disease Journal.
Laboratory and Greenhouse Bioassays
Work Package 3 (WP3) activities were carried out at the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) demonstrated that Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) leaf extract (P1) exhibits antifungal activity against key isolates and stimulates plant defense responses.
Greenhouse trials showed also the biostimulant effects of P1 on seedlings, with treated plants showing reduced lesion development when challenged with pathogens from WP1/2.
Field Experiments on Apple and Pomegranate
a) Apple Field Trials at the QTTB in Korçë, Albania were established to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments for apple scab across six apple cultivars. Four treatments were compared:
Untreated control (water)
100 % copper spray
50 % copper + licorice extract (P1)
Standard fungicide program, applied according to the RIMpro decision-support model (https://www.fieldclimate.com/dashboard) was used as control.
Results indicated:
Across all cultivars, the standard fungicide program provided the highest level of disease suppression, while the 50% Cu + P1 treatment consistently outperformed the 100% Cu spray.
These results confirm that integrating P1 (licorice extract) with reduced copper rates can maintain effective disease control
b) Pomegranate Fruit Rot Control Trials at Agro-Iliria Farm with four treatments and three, four replicate blocks each: Control, P1 stand-alone treatment, 100 % copper, 50 % copper + P1
Postharvest handling is in progress: fruits were harvested at maturity and are stored for 30 days under controlled conditions.
Öffentlichkeitsarbeit
Conference Participation:
- Results have been presented at the Young Scientist Conference, JKI
- International Conference on Agriculture and Life Sciences ICOALS, Tirana, Albania
- Meeting at the AUT
- Meeting at the UKA Farm, Tirana Albania
Fazit
Results obtained this far confirm that integrating P1 (licorice extract) with reduced copper rates can maintain effective disease control in most apple cultivars while lowering copper input by half.