Antifungal activity of 1-octen-3-ol against Monilinia fructicola and its ability in enhancing disease resistance of peach fruit

Peach fruit is susceptible to decay caused by Monilinia fructicola infection. Synthetic fungicides are effective for inhibiting this pathogen and rot rate, but more and more attentions to the safety and pollution that chemicals compel us to find other methods to control M. fructicola disease. Natural volatile organic compound was considered as a potential way to reduce pathogen infection. 1-Octen-3-ol, a natural product from plant or fungi, can inhibit several pathogens growth. In this study, it is found that 1-octen-3-ol fumigation not only inhibited development of M. fructicola in vitro but also effectively reduced brown rot caused by the pathogen in vivo. The results showed 37.20, 55.80 and 74.40 μg mL −1 1-octen-3-ol fumigation could inhibit the extension of M. fructicola hyphae and significantly reduce the ergosterol content of mycelium. The results of microscopy, it can be seen that 1-octen-3-ol destroyed the hyphae morphology and cell structure. The spore apoptosis rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) increased, and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) decreased. Moreover, 55.80 μg mL −1 1-octen-3-ol fumigation could significantly reduce disease incidence and lesion diameter of fruit. Chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase activities were enhanced, and expression of ICS1 , NPR1 , TGA1 , PR1 were up-regulated, as well as down-regulation of AOS , COI1 and MYC2 . These results indicate that 1-octen-3-ol treatment is a promising approach to control brown rot, which is related to the activation of salicylic acid (SA) signal to enhance fruit disease resistance besides direct destruction of pathogen. • Volatile 1-octen-3-ol could inhibit Monilinia fructicola in vitro. • 1-octen-3-ol destroyed the integrity of fungal biofilm and respiratory energy metabolism. • 1-octen-3-ol treatment effectively inhibited brown rot development in peach fruit. • 1-octen-3-ol may induce disease resistance via activation of SA signal pathway of peach fruit.