Antagonistic potential of bacteria and marine yeasts for the control of phytopathogenic fungi

Abstract

"The application of synthetic fungicides is a common practice in the control of phytopathogenic fungi. However, its use indiscriminately has brought problems to human, animal and environmental health and has generated resistance in phytopathogens. In the search for alternatives, biological control using microorganisms can be an efficient option to the use of synthetic fungicides. Although bacteria and yeasts isolated from soil and plants have been evaluated as biological control agents, the search for new antagonists continues. The oceanic microflora can be an option for the selection of new antagonistic agents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antagonistic potential of different bacteria (Stenotrophomonas rhizophila, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and B. subtilis) and yeasts (Debaryomyces hansenii, Cryptococcus diffluens and Rhodotorula minuta) previously isolated from a hyperhialin lagoon against 13 phytopathogenic fungi of agronomic importance. The results show that different strains of the S. rhizophila bacterium were those that exerted greater inhibition on spore germination and mycelial growth of all the phytopathogenic fungi, surpassing the treatments with synthetic fungicides. Among the yeasts, the strains of D. hansenii stood out. According to their antagonistic capacity, marine microorganisms can be an option for the management of diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi."