Fusarium solani is one of the primary pathogens causing root rot of wolfberry. The aims of this study were to investigate the inhibitory effect of potato glycoside alkaloids (PGA) on F. solani and its energy metabolism. In this study, the effects of PGA treatment on the growth and development of F. solani were investigated and the changes in the glycolytic pathway (EMP), ATPase activity, mitochondrial complex activity, mitochondrial structure, and energy charge level were analyzed to elucidate the possible antifungal mechanism of PGA on F. solani. The results showed that PGA treatment inhibited the colony growth, biomass, and spore germination of F. solani. PGA treatment reduced the glucose content and Hexokinase (HK) activity of F. solani, but increased the activity of Fructose-6-Phosphate Kinase (PFK) and Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and promoted the accumulation of pyruvic acid. In addition, PGA treatment inhibited the activities of H+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase, and mitochondrial complex IV, increased the mitochondrial inner membrane Ca2+ content and mitochondrial membrane permeability transition pore, and decreased the contents of ATP, ADP, and AMP as well as the energy charge. These results indicate that PGA treatment inhibits the growth and development of F. solani, activates the glycolysis pathway, inhibits ATPase activity and mitochondrial complex activity, and destroys the structure and function of mitochondrial membrane, resulting in a lower energy charge level.
Keywords: Fusarium solani; energy metabolism; mitochondria; potato glycoside alkaloids.