Endophytic Bacteria and Fungi as Biocontrol Agents against Foliar Diseases of Maize

摘要

In vitro studies conducted using 52 endophytic bacteria and 26 endophytic fungi, isolated from the healthy roots of maize, against the foliar pathogens of maize viz., Exserohilum turcicum and Curvularia lunata showed significant inhibition percentageof 80 and 82 by the endophytic bacteria EB22 and EB23 against Exserohilum turcicum and Curvularia lunata, respectively; and 70 and 77 per cent inhibition by the endophytic fungi EF11 and EF18 against Exserohilum turcicum and Curvularia lunata, respectively. The in vivo studies revealed that the highest percentage of disease suppression was observed in the case of plants treated with a combined inoculum of endophytic bacterial and fungal isolate over the control than when compared to the singly inoculated plants after the plants were challenged with the above pathogens following foliar application. They also resulted in a positive increase of the plant growth parameters in all the treatments as compared to control. These endophytic isolates can be now tested for their efficiency under field conditions and several other important factors evaluated and later the strains can be recommended as bio control agents according to the results to be applied in the farmer's field.