Screening and application of bio-control bacterium against corn stalk rot caused by Fusarium graminearum

Abstract:

[Objective] To study the screening and application antagonisms of Fusarium graminearum in order to lay the foundation for use of bio-control agents for corn stalk rot. [Methods] The antagonism of F. graminearum were screened from corn endophytic bacteria using the confrontation culture method. A bacterial strain (named as 48SJ7-1) which showed inhibition to F. graminearum was obtained. The bacterial strain was identified according to its physiological and biochemical characteristics and a 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis; and its effect on corn stalk rot caused by F. graminearum was determined by pot experiment. [Results] Strain 48SJ7-1 was identified as Bacillus methylotrophicus (accession no. KU377993). In pot experiments, application of 48SJ7-1 reduced corn stalk rot by 68.47% compared to the non-treated control, and there was no statistically significant difference with the 2% tebuconazole FSC treated plants. [Conclusion] F. graminearum, the main pathogenic fungi of corn stalk rot, can be effectively controlled by 48SJ7-1. The potting results showed that 48SJ7-1 could promote maize growth and no phytotoxicity was observed.