Effect of Fungicides on Bayberry Decline Disease by Modulating Rhizosphere Soil Properties, Microflora, and Metabolites (original) (raw)

Decline disease causes serious damage to bayberry, but the reasons behind this disease are not completely understood, although fungal pathogenicity factors have been proposed. Our past studies have identified that the adversity of this disease is linked to the application of soil fungicide. The objective of this study is to explore the mechanism and alleviation effect of the use of the fungicide prochloraz in this disease by investigating the plant and soil parameters. The results of the current study reveal that the application of prochloraz could improve the tree vigor and fruit quality of decline-diseased bayberry. The beneficial effect of prochloraz on plant growth and fruit quality may be associated with its influence on the rhizosphere soil properties and soil microbiota. Indeed, the application of prochloraz was shown to significantly affect the relative abundance and diversity of the rhizosphere soil microbiota, with it having a greater effect on bacteria than on fungi. Furt...