Abstract:[Background] Emmia lacerata, a white-rot fungus with global distribution, has a good inhibitory effect on the fungal pathogens of plants and can be developed as a biocontrol fungus. [Objective] To determine the antifungal ability and siderophore production ability of E. lacerata SR5 and explore its biocontrol potential. [Methods] The antifungal abilities of SR5 against 9 plant pathogens were determined by dual culture method and different concentrations of fermentation supernatants were used to determine the inhibitory effect of the metabolites. The chrome azurol S (CAS) method was employed to determine the siderophore production ability of SR5. [Results] SR5 inhibited 9 plant pathogens quickly in the way of overgrowth by competing for nutrients and survival space, with the inhibition rates of 23.7%–62.7%. It showed the strongest inhibition on Calonectria hongkongensis and Diaporthe sp., with the antagonism grade IV against Lasiodiplodia theobromae and grade III against the other 8 pathogenic fungi. SR5 demonstrated moderate capacity of producing secretory siderophore, with the highest siderophore unit (SU) of 44.1%. [Conclusion] SR5 plays the role of biocontrol by competing for nutrients and survival space and secreting siderophore, an extracellular anti-microbial metabolite. This study provides a scientific basis for the further development and utilization of E. lacerata in biocontrol.
