Endophytes of wheat plants as antagonists against Pyrenophora tritici-repentis

LARRÁN, S.; SIMÓN, MR; MORENO, MR; SANTAMARINA M; PERELLO, ANALIA EDITH

BIOCONTROL (DORDRECHT)

SPRINGER

Lugar: Dordrecht; Año: 2015 vol. 92 p. 17 - 23

1386-6141

Endophytes from wheat cultivars isolated in Buenos Aires province, Argentina, were assessed for their potential as biocontrol agents against Pyrenophora tritici-repentis (Died.) Drechsler (anamorph Drechslera tritici-repentis) (Died.) Shoem, the causal agent of tan spot of wheat. Endophytes were screened using dual culture techniques and examining the effect on growth, sporulation and the antifungal activity in greenhouse assays. All evaluated endophytes reduced Dtr growth compared to the control except Rhodotorula rubra from 11 and 15 days post inoculations. Trichoderma hamatum, Penicillium sp., Bacillus sp. and Paecilomyces lilacinus significantly reduced the colony diameter of the pathogen. In addition, Bacillus sp., Fusarium sp., Chaetomium globosum, Penicillium sp. and P. lilacinum significantly reduced the spore germination of the pathogen. Most of the endophytes evaluated showed morphological changes in the conidia and/or the mycelia of D. tritici-repentis. Moreover, in greenhouse experiments, T. hamatum, C. globosum, Fusarium sp., P. lilacinus, Bacillus sp., E. nigrum, Cladosporium herbarum and Rhodotorula rubra significantly reduced the severity of tan spot. Bacillus sp. was the only microorganism that antagonized the pathogen in all in vitro and in vivo assays. From our promising results, we conclude that endophytes have potential in the biological control of tan spot of wheat caused by D. tritici-repentis.