Succinic acid inhibited growth and pathogenicity of in vitro soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum

To clarify possible mechanisms of interaction of soil-plant-microbe for fusarium wilt of watermelon, succinic acid was added into the media to test its effect on in vitro Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum in the ecological and biogeochemical cycling of soil-plant-microbe. Results showed that succinic acid decreased the growth and conidia germination of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. The biomass and the conidia germinating rate were reduced by 10.1-59.8% and 14.4-21.4% respectively. Mycotoxin production and pathogenic enzyme activity by the fungus were suppressed at higher concentrations of succinic acid. Results suggested that succinic acid would not increase the risk of Fusarium oxysporum attacking plants, animals and humans due to its inhibition of fungus in the ecological and biogeochemical cycling of succinic acid in the interaction of soil-plant-microbe.