Efficiency of Marine Bacteria and Yeasts on the Biocontrol Activity of Pythium ultimum in Ancho-Type Pepper Seedlings

Abstract

Ancho-type pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a crop susceptible to Pythium ultimum, which has already been controlled with synthetic fungicide applications; however, marine antagonist microorganisms could be an alternative source of control. The efficiency in vitro and in vivo of marine bacteria and yeasts was determined against P. ultimum. The inhibition of the radial growth of P. ultimum was quantified in vitro by the bacteria Stenotrophomonas rhizophila KM01 and KM02; Bacillus subtilis RBM01 and RBM02, B. amyloliquefaciens 2RLBF and 3R4CF; and Pseudomonas spp. 2R6BF and 2RE9CF, as well as the yeasts Debaryomyces hansenii 1R11AB, 1R11CB, and LL01 and Cryptococcus laurentii 2R3BF and 2R1CB. The β-1,3-glucanase activity of the marine microorganisms was quantified in the presence of the phytopathogen. The disease index (DI), growth parameters, and colony forming units (CFU) were determined in ancho-type pepper plants inoculated with marine bacteria, yeasts, and P. ultimum. The radial zone of the phytopathogen was inhibited by 80% and 75% by S. rhizophila KM01 and C. laurentii 2R1CB, respectively. D. hansenii LL01 and S. rhizophila KM02 showed the highest activity of β-1,3-glucanase, with 6060 U/mL and 47 U/mL, respectively. B. subtilis RBM02 protected 100% of the plants from the oomycete, and an increase was quantified in all the growth parameters and CFU. The use of these marine bacteria and yeasts are, therefore, an option for P. ultimum biocontrol in ancho-type pepper plants, thereby minimizing the application of synthetic fungicides.