Biocontrol Activities of Peribacillus butanolivorans KJ40, Bacillus zanthoxyli HS1, B. siamensis H30-3 and Pseudomonas sp. BC42 on Anthracnose, Bacterial Fruit Blotch and Fusarium Wilt of Cucumber Plants

Abstract

Abiotic and biotic stresses have been a serious threat to crop growth and productivity in the agricultural system. In this study, four strains (HS1, H30-3, KJ40, and BC42), which have biological activities related to disease suppression or alleviation of salinity and drought stresses, were tested for broad-spectrum biocontrol activity against anthracnose caused by <i>Colletotrichum orbiculare</i>, a bacterial fruit blotch caused by <i>Acidovorax citrulli</i>, and Fusarium wilt caused by <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i> in cucumber plants. As a result of test, when the four strains were drenched into the soil, anthracnose in cucumber leaves significantly decrease; strain KJ40 suppressed disease incidence by <i>A. citrulli</i>; strain BC42 significantly reduced bacterial fruit blotch and Fusarium wilt compared to control. Therefore, strain KJ40 could be a biocontrol candidate for controlling anthracnose through induced systemic resistance and the disease caused by <i>A. citrulli</i> as well as alleviating drought stress; strain BC42 has broad-spectrum biocontrol activity against anthracnose, Fusarium wilt, and bacterial fruit blotch.