Metabolites of rhizobacteria antagonistic towards fungal plant pathogens

Abstract

Biological control of insect, plant pathogens and weeds is the only major alternative to the use of pesticides in agriculture and forestry. A double-layer technique was used for isolation of antagonistic bacteria from rhizosphere against plant pathogenic fungi. Four potential rhizobacteria was selected in dual culture plate method based on their antifungal activity against several soil-borne fungal plant pathogens. The selected rhizobacteria, identified based on their morphological, biochemical and molecular traits, belong to the species of fluorescent Pseudomonas (SAB8, GM4) and Bacillus (A555, GF23). The active antifungal metabolites produced by these strains in culture filtrates were tested for the growth inhibition of Fusarium semitectum used as test fungus. The active fraction of anti-fungal metabolite/(s) from fluorescent Pseudomonas (SAB8, GM4) and their effects on hyphal growth were observed under microscope. Two kinds of alterations were detected: inhibition of hyphal tip elongation and an extensive branching of hyphae with closer septa.