Biological control of pathogenic and secondary (non pathogenic) fungi associated with Barley (Hordeum vulgare) seeds

Abstract

Plant pathogenic fungi are a major problem in agriculture with effects on yield and quality of agricultural product. In this study, antagonistic effects of five fungi biocontrol agent Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus ostianus, Aspergillus versicolor, Penicillium sp., Trichoderma harzianum and one species of bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the seeds of barley were evaluated against plant pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani and secondary (non-pathogenic) fungi Aspergillus flavus. The ability of isolated microorganisms in antagonizing or inhibiting the growth of phytopathogenic fungi was tested by measuring the growth inhibition percentage over control. P. aeruginosa obtained higher inhibition with R. solani and A. flavus (88%, 76%) respectively, but A. ostianus obtained the lower inhibition with R. solani and A. flavus (59%, 53%) respectively. The results also showed that significant differences were recorded in mycelial growth of pathogens in presence of biocontrol agent when compared with control. Also, the results showed that non-significant differences were recorded between R. solani and A. flavus when treated with different antagonisms.