Evaluation of the Antagonistic Activity of Bacillus subtilis Against Pathogenic and Beneficial Agricultural Fungi
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Abstract
Conventional agriculture has caused degradation of ecosystems and contributes to the greenhouse effect, the development of genetic resistance, and adverse effects on human health. The use of microorganisms in biological control promotes sustainable agriculture. The objective of this research was to evaluate the antagonistic capacity of Bacillus subtilis F. Cohn in vitro against strains of phytopathogenic and beneficial fungi. The dual challenge and volatile compound methods were used at two growth stages. Mycelial growth was measured, and the percentage of inhibition and growth rate were determined. Spores were counted to determine the percentage of inhibition in fungal sporulation. The dual method showed that the highest percentage of inhibition occurred in Moniliophthora roreri, with 61.85% vertical and 27.43% horizontal inhibition, while in Aspergillus spp. and Trichoderma harzianum, the percentage was less than 25%. In the volatile compound method, Arthrobotrys conoides and Beauveria bassiana exhibited an inhibition percentage greater than 50%, whereas Penicillium spp. and Metarhizium anisopliae exhibited a percentage less than 25%. B. subtilis exhibited antagonism against most phytopathogenic fungi, while it had a minimal effect on the growth of Aspergillus spp. and T. harzianum and a medium-to-high effect on the growth of nematophagous fungi. Furthermore, B. subtilis colonies caused changes in the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the studied fungi, due to the wide range of compounds they can produce.
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