Antifungal properties of Beauveria bassiana strains against Fusarium oxysporum f. Sp. Lycopersici race 3 in tomato crop

Abstract

Aim : Entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana from different geographic regions, i.e. Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tabasco were assessed for their in vitro and in vivo antagonistic activity in tomato Solanum lycopersicum L., against soil borne disease, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3. Methodology : The strains were assessed in vitro (dual culture technique, lytic enzyme production and inhibition potency of culture filtrates). Strain 1215 was used to control F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3 in tomato plants in vivo. The strain was applied to soil, foliar sprayed or stem injected, and plant development determined. Results : These strains inhibited pathogen growth collapsing the mycelium, but only B. bassiana strain 1215 inhibited growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3 efficiently with 72% when applied in to the medium two days earlier. Lytic enzyme inhibited up to 21% of the growth of soil borne fungal pathogen in vitro. Application of B. bassiana strain 1215 to soil decreased by 1.4 the plant index disease without any adverse effect on plant height and root development. Interpretation : Overall, the most efficient was B. bassiana strain 1215, which reduced the growth of F. oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 3 in vitro and decrease disease development in vivo without any adverse effect on plant height and root development and can be used as biological control agent against certain fungal pathogens.