SCREENING OF ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA EXHIBITING ANTHAGONISTIC ACTIVITY AGAINST FUSARIUM SPOROTRICHIOIDES MICROMYCETE

Abstract

Abstract Within the framework of this study, the micromycete Fusarium sporotrichioides was isolated from wheat grain, a collection of isolates of endophytic microorganisms with antagonistic activity against this pathogen was formed, and their antagonistic activity was studied. By the mechanism of action, the isolates are classified as strains exhibiting fungistatic antibiotic antagonism, that is, inhibition of fungal growth occurred at a distance under the influence of antibiotic substances produced by the antagonist, with the formation of a “sterile” zone between cultures; and strains with fungistatic alimentary type of antagonism, expressed in stopping the growth of the pathogen upon contact with the antagonist colony. Stepwise screening of microorganisms-antagonists in in vitro and in vivo experiments made it possible to select technological and safe isolates with high antifungal activity and the possibility of using them as biofungicide producers. Three isolates from among the most active aboriginal endophytic microorganisms belonging to the species Bacillus subtilis are promising for introduction into the biocenosis with the aim of long-term regulation of the density of phytopathogenic populations of Fusarium sporotrichioides.