Endophytic Streptomycetes Research Articles

Genomes and secondary metabolomes of Streptomyces spp. isolated from Leontopodium nivale ssp. alpinum.

Bacterial endophytes dwelling in medicinal plants represent an as yet underexplored source of bioactive natural products with the potential to be developed into drugs against various human diseases. For the first time, several Streptomyces spp. were isolated from the rare and endangered traditional medicinal plant Leontopodium nivale ssp. alpinum, also known as Edelweiss. In the search for novel natural products, nine endophytic Streptomyces spp. from Edelweiss were investigated via genome sequencing and analysis, followed by fermentation in different media and investigation of secondary metabolomes. A total of 214 secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), of which 35 are presumably unique, were identified by the bioinformatics tool antiSMASH in the genomes of these isolates. LC-MS analyses of the secondary metabolomes of these isolates revealed their potential to produce both known and presumably novel secondary metabolites, whereby most of the identified molecules could be linked to their cognate BGCs. This work sets the stage for further investigation of endophytic streptomycetes from Edelweiss aimed at the discovery and characterization of novel bioactive natural products.

Streptomyces biostimulants: An effective sustainable approach to reduce inorganic N input and maintain high yield of wheat crop in different soil types.

This study aimed to isolate and characterize endophytic plant growth-promoting (PGP) actinomycetes from the wild medicinal plant Zygophyllum album. Eight actinomycetes were isolated, identified, and screened for their PGP activities to improve the growth and production of wheat plants under low N-inputs. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, the isolated actinobacteria showed high diversity and had multiple in-vitro PGP attributes. In pot experiments, Streptomyces sp. NGB-Act4 and NGB-Act6 demonstrated the highest significant PGP activities to enhance the growth of wheat plants under reduced N-inputs. Under various field conditions (high-fertility clay soils and low-fertility sandy soils), in combination with 50% N-dose, the two streptomycetes showed significant increases in grain N% and grain yield of the wheat crop compared with the 50% N-fertilized treatment. Irrespective of soil type, wheat plants inoculated with strain NGB-Act4 produced grain yield and grain N% significantly greater than, or comparable to the full N-dose treatment. This is the first field report on the successful use of endophytic streptomycetes as an effective strategy to improve wheat yield and reduce the use of synthetic N fertilizers.

Biocontrol Potential of Endophytic Actinobacteria against Fusarium solani, the Causal Agent of Sudden Decline Syndrome on Date Palm in the UAE.

Thirty-one endophytic streptomycete and non-streptomycete actinobacteria were isolated from healthy date palm root tissues. In vitro screening revealed that the antifungal action of isolate #16 was associated with the production of cell-wall degrading enzymes, whereas with diffusible antifungal metabolites in isolate #28, albeit their production of volatile antifungal compounds. According to the 16S rRNA gene sequencing, isolates #16 and #28 were identified as Streptomyces polychromogenes UAE2 (Sp; GenBank Accession #: OK560620) and Streptomyces coeruleoprunus UAE1 (Sc; OK560621), respectively. The two antagonists were recovered from root tissues until 12 weeks after inoculation, efficiently colonized root cortex and xylem vessels, indicating that the date palm roots are a suitable habitat for these endophytic isolates. At the end of the greenhouse experiments, the development of sudden decline syndrome (SDS) was markedly suppressed by 53% with the application of Sp and 86% with Sc, confirming their potential in disease management. Results showed that the estimated disease severity indices in diseased seedlings were significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from 4.75 (scale of 5) to 2.25 or 0.67 by either Sp or Sc, respectively. In addition, conidial numbers of the pathogen significantly (p < 0.05) dropped by 38% and 76% with Sp and Sc, respectively, compared to infected seedlings with F. solani (control). Thus, the suppression of disease symptoms was superior in seedlings pre-inoculated with S. coeruleoprunus, indicating that the diffusible antifungal metabolites were responsible for F. solani retardation in these plants. This is the first report of actinobacteria naturally existing in date palm tissues acting as microbial antagonists against SDS on date palm.

Evaluation of the anticarcinogenic potential of the endophyte, Streptomyces sp. LRE541 isolated from Lilium davidii var. unicolor (Hoog) Cotton

BackgroundEndophytic actinomycetes, as emerging sources of bioactive metabolites, have been paid great attention over the years. Recent reports demonstrated that endophytic streptomycetes could yield compounds with potent anticancer properties that may be developed as chemotherapeutic drugs.ResultsHere, a total of 15 actinomycete-like isolates were obtained from the root tissues of Lilium davidii var. unicolor (Hoog) Cotton based on their morphological appearance, mycelia coloration and diffusible pigments. The preliminary screening of antagonistic capabilities of the 15 isolates showed that isolate LRE541 displayed antimicrobial activities against all of the seven tested pathogenic microorganisms. Further in vitro cytotoxicity test of the LRE541 extract revealed that this isolate possesses potent anticancer activities with IC50 values of 0.021, 0.2904, 1.484, 4.861, 6.986, 8.106, 10.87, 12.98, and 16.94 μg/mL against cancer cell lines RKO, 7901, HepG2, CAL-27, MCF-7, K562, Hela, SW1990, and A549, respectively. LRE541 was characterized and identified as belonging to the genus Streptomyces based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. It produced extensively branched red substrate and vivid pink aerial hyphae that changed into amaranth, with elliptic spores sessile to the aerial mycelia. To further explore the mechanism underlying the decrease of cancer cell viability following the LRE541 extract treatment, cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest assays were conducted in two cancer cell lines, RKO and 7901. The result demonstrated that LRE541 extract inhibited cell proliferation of RKO and 7901 by causing cell cycle arrest both at the S phase and inducing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The chemical profile of LRE541 extract performed by the UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed the presence of thirty-nine antitumor compounds in the extract. Further chemical investigation of the LRE541 extract led to the discovery of one prenylated indole diketopiperazine (DKP) alkaloid, elucidated as neoechinulin A, a known antitumor agent firstly detected in Streptomyces; two anthraquinones 4-deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone (1) and epsilon-pyrromycinone (2) both displaying anticancer activities against RKO, SW1990, A549, and HepG2 with IC50 values of 14.96 ± 2.6 − 20.42 ± 4.24 μg/mL for (1); 12.9 ± 2.13, 19.3 ± 4.32, 16.8 ± 0.75, and 18.6 ± 3.03 μg/mL for (2), respectively.ConclusionOur work evaluated the anticarcinogenic potential of the endophyte, Streptomyces sp. LRE541 and obtained one prenylated indole diketopiperazine alkaloid and two anthraquinones. Neoechinulin A, as a known antitumor agent, was identified for the first time in Streptomyces. Though previously found in Streptomyces, epsilon-pyrromycinone and 4-deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone were firstly shown to possess anticancer activities.Graphical

Inter- and intracellular colonization of Arabidopsis roots by endophytic actinobacteria and the impact of plant hormones on their antimicrobial activity

Many actinobacteria live in close association with eukaryotes such as fungi, insects, animals and plants. Plant-associated actinobacteria display (endo)symbiotic, saprophytic or pathogenic life styles, and can make up a substantial part of the endophytic community. Here, we characterised endophytic actinobacteria isolated from root tissue of Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) plants grown in soil from a natural ecosystem. Many of these actinobacteria belong to the family of Streptomycetaceae with Streptomyces olivochromogenes and Streptomyces clavifer as well represented species. When seeds of Arabidopsis were inoculated with spores of Streptomyces strain coa1, which shows high similarity to S. olivochromogenes, roots were colonised intercellularly and, unexpectedly, also intracellularly. Subsequent exposure of endophytic isolates to plant hormones typically found in root and shoot tissues of Arabidopsis led to altered antibiotic production against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Taken together, our work reveals remarkable colonization patterns of endophytic streptomycetes with specific traits that may allow a competitive advantage inside root tissue.

Biological Control of Lettuce Drop and Host Plant Colonization by Rhizospheric and Endophytic Streptomycetes.

Lettuce drop, caused by the soil borne pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, is one of the most common and serious diseases of lettuce worldwide. Increased concerns about the side effects of chemical pesticides have resulted in greater interest in developing biocontrol strategies against S. sclerotiorum. However, relatively little is known about the mechanisms of Streptomyces spp. as biological control agents against S. sclerotiorum on lettuce. Two Streptomyces isolates, S. exfoliatus FT05W and S. cyaneus ZEA17I, inhibit mycelial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by more than 75% in vitro. We evaluated their biocontrol activity against S. sclerotiorum in vivo, and compared them to Streptomyces lydicus WYEC 108, isolated from Actinovate®. When Streptomyces spp. (106 CFU/mL) were applied to S. sclerotiorum inoculated substrate in a growth chamber 1 week prior lettuce sowing, they significantly reduced the risk of lettuce drop disease, compared to the inoculated control. Interestingly, under field conditions, S. exfoliatus FT05W and S. cyaneus ZEA17I protected lettuce from drop by 40 and 10% respectively, whereas S. lydicus WYEC 108 did not show any protection. We further labeled S. exfoliatus FT05W and S. cyaneus ZEA17I with the enhanced GFP (EGFP) marker to investigate their rhizosphere competence and ability to colonize lettuce roots using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The abundant colonization of young lettuce seedlings by both strains demonstrated Streptomyces' capability to interact with the host from early stages of seed germination and root development. Moreover, the two strains were detected also on 2-week-old roots, indicating their potential of long-term interactions with lettuce. Additionally, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed EGFP-S. exfoliatus FT05W endophytic colonization of lettuce root cortex tissues. Finally, we determined its viability and persistence in the rhizosphere and endorhiza up to 3 weeks by quantifying its concentration in these compartments. Based on these results we conclude that S. exfoliatus FT05W has high potential to be exploited in agriculture for managing soil borne diseases barely controlled by available plant protection products.

Streptomycete endophytes from anti-diabetic medicinal plants of the Western Ghats inhibit alpha-amylase and promote glucose uptake

α-amylase inhibitor retards the liberation of glucose from dietary complex carbohydrates and delays the absorption of glucose. The purpose of the study was to isolate and select α-amylase inhibitor-producing endophytic actinomycetes from the leaves and stems of Leucas ciliata and Rauwolfia densiflora, two of the well-known medicinal plants used in the treatment for diabetes. Sterilized plant samples were inoculated on the actinomycete isolation agar medium containing 50 ppm cycloheximide and incubated for 4-8 weeks at room temperature. The actinomycetes were isolated on agar medium and identified on the basis of 16S rRNA sequences, the isolates exhibiting >99% similarities were submitted to NCBI, and gene accession numbers were obtained. They were inoculated to International Streptomyces Project 1 medium (ISP 1) for fermentation. The extracts obtained were tested for the anti-diabetic potential by the inhibition of alpha-amylase by colorimetric assay and glucose uptake in the porcine hemidiaphragm. Streptomyces longisporoflavus (JX965948) isolated from the stem fragments of L. ciliata exhibited alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 values = 162.3 ± 1.05 μg ml⁻¹) in comparison with the standard Acarbose™ (IC50 value = 73.1 ± 1.12 μg ml⁻¹). Extract of Streptomyces sp. (JQ926174) from R. densiflora indicated glucose uptake in the porcine hemidiaphragm. Results indicate for the first time the potential of endophytic streptomycete extracts with anti-diabetic activity. Endophytic actinomycetes were isolated from two medicinal species of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity 'hotspot' in southern India and screened for the anti-diabetic potential for inhibition of α-amylase and improved glucose uptake in the porcine hemidiaphragm. Results indicate the inhibition of α-amylase by Streptomyces longisporoflavus extract with IC50 values of 162.3 ± 1.05 μg ml⁻¹ in comparison with the standard inhibitor Acarbose™ with IC50 value 73.1 ± 1.12 μg ml⁻¹. Further, extract from Streptomyces sp. showed increased glucose uptake by hemidiaphragm. The present investigation implicates the potential of endophytic actinomycetes as sources of anti-diabetic agents.

Isolation of endophytic streptomycetes from above- and belowground organs of Quercus serrata

The occurrence and localization of endophytic actinomycetes within diverse organs of host plants provide ecological information that can be used to evaluate the significance of their spatial habitats. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize endophytic actinomycetes in different organs of Quercus serrata. For this purpose, actinomycete isolates were obtained from surface-sterilized tissues of both symptomless seedlings and aged trees of Q. serrata and rhizosphere soil of the sampled seedlings. Thirty-five isolates with the ability to sporulate, including 4 from leaves of the aged trees, 10, 6, and 15 from leaves, stems, and roots of the seedlings, respectively, and 8 soil-derived isolates, were selected and characterized. The 16S rDNA nucleotide sequence analyses revealed that all of them belonged to the genus Streptomyces. According to a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree constructed based on the results, the isolates of plant origin were divided into three major clades with high bootstrap values of 98 or 99 %, whereas eight soil-derived isolates were located at different positions from those of the endophyte isolates. Moreover, two larger clades were formed, one of which contained isolates derived only from aboveground parts, while the other contained isolates from all of the organs. These results suggest that the endophytic streptomycetes in Q. serrata may differ in their habitat positions (i.e., either above- or belowground parts).

Indole-3-Acetic Acid Production by Endophytic Streptomyces sp. En-1 Isolated from Medicinal Plants

Plant-associated actinobacteria are rich sources of bioactive compounds including indole-derived molecules such as phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In view of few investigations concerning the biosynthesis of IAA by endophytic actinobacteria, this study evaluated the potential of IAA production in endophytic streptomycete isolates sourced from medicinal plant species Taxus chinensis and Artemisia annua. By HPLC analysis of IAA combined with molecular screening approach of iaaM, a genetic determinant of streptomycete IAA synthesis via indole-3-acetamide (IAM), our data showed the putative operation of IAM-mediated IAA biosynthesis in Streptomyces sp. En-1 endophytic to Taxus chinensis. Furthermore, using the co-cultivation system of model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and streptomycete, En-1 was found to be colonized intercellularly in the tissues of Arabidopsis, an alternative host, and the effects of endophytic En-1 inoculation on the model plant were also assayed. The phytostimulatory effects of En-1 inoculation suggest that IAA-producing Streptomyces sp. En-1 of endophytic origin could be a promising candidate for utilization in growth improvement of plants of economic and agricultural value.

Plant growth enhancing effects by a siderophore-producing endophytic streptomycete isolated from a Thai jasmine rice plant (Oryza sativa L. cv. KDML105)

An endophytic Streptomyces sp. GMKU 3100 isolated from roots of a Thai jasmine rice plant (Oryza sativa L. cv. KDML105) showed the highest siderophore production on CAS agar while phosphate solubilization and IAA production were not detected. A mutant of Streptomyces sp. GMKU 3100 deficient in just one of the plant growth promoting traits, siderophore production, was generated by inactivation of a desD-like gene encoding a key enzyme controlling the final step of siderophore biosynthesis. Pot culture experiments revealed that rice and mungbean plants inoculated with the wild type gave the best enhancement of plant growth and significantly increased root and shoot biomass and lengths compared with untreated controls and siderophore-deficient mutant treatments. Application of the wild type in the presence or absence of ferric citrate significantly promoted plant growth of both plants. The siderophore-deficient mutant clearly showed the effect of this important trait involved in plant-microbe interaction in enhancement of growth in rice and mungbean plants supplied with sequestered iron. Our results highlight the value of a substantial understanding of the relationship of the plant growth promoting properties of endophytic actinomycetes to the plants. Endophytic actinomycetes, therefore, can be applied as potentially safe and environmentally friendly biofertilizers in agriculture.

Endophytic Streptomycetes from Plants with Novel Green Chemistry: Review

Endophytic Streptomycetes from Plants with Novel Green Chemistry: Review

Ribosomal-sequence-directed selection for endophytic streptomycete strains antagonistic to Ralstoniasolanacearum to control tomato bacterial wilt

The endophytic actinobacterial communities of healthy and wilting tomato plants with different levels of resistance to bacterial wilt were detected by culture-independent and culture-dependent methods to validate the effectiveness of using molecular-profile data of endophytic actinobacterial community structure to rapidly identify and select ecologically important biological control agents from tomato root internals. More than six genera of actinobacteria (Streptomyces, Nesterenkonia, Arthrobacter, Microbacterium, Cellulomonas, and Propionibacterium) were detected in four actinobacterial 16S rRNA gene clone libraries derived from tomato roots. Species similar to Streptomyces virginiae were detected by culture-independent and culture-dependent methods from all the samples. The isolated strains Y30 and E36 similar to S. virginiae showed potent antagonism to Ralstoniasolanacearum, producing siderophores, and ACC deaminase activity. The two strains showed significant protection to seedlings from bacterial wilt compared with the control seedlings when inoculated into tomato seedlings in greenhouse although they showed different protecting efficacy. The results showed the validity of using molecular-profile data of endophytic actinobacterial community structure to rapidly identify and select ecologically important actinobacterial species to control tomato bacterial wilt and established the validity of using sequence-directed selection for biocontrol strains from diverse microbial communities.

Characterization of Endophytic Streptomycetes from Different Organs of Quercus serrata

Characterization of Endophytic Streptomycetes from Different Organs of Quercus serrata

Antitumour and antimicrobial activities of endophytic streptomycetes from pharmaceutical plants in rainforest

The aim of this study was to screen antitumour and antimicrobial activities of endophytic actinomycetes isolated from pharmaceutical plants in rainforest in Yunnan province, China. Antitumour activity was studied by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and antimicrobial activity was determined by agar well diffusion method. The high bioactive endophytic isolates were identified and further investigated for the presence of polyketide synthases (PKS-I, PKS-II) and nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPS) sequences by specific amplification. The molecular identification confirmed that the 41 isolates showed significant activities were members of the genus Streptomyces. Among them, 31.7% of endophytic streptomycete cultures were cytotoxic against A549 cells, 29.3% against HL-60 cells, 85.4% against BEL-7404 cells, 90.2% against P388D1 cells, 65.9% were active against Escherichia coli, 24.4% against Staphylococcus aureus, 31.7% against Staphylococcus epidermidis, 12.2% against Candida albicans and no strain displayed antagonistic activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. High frequencies of positive PCR amplification were obtained for PKS-I (34.1%), PKS-II (63.4%) and NRPS (61.0%) biosynthetic systems. Many endophytic streptomycetes isolated from pharmaceutical plants in rainforest possess remarkable and diverse antitumour and antimicrobial bioactivities. These endophytic streptomycetes are precious resources obtained from rainforests, and they could be a promising source for bioactive agents.

Bioactive endophytic streptomycetes from the Malay Peninsula

Three novel endophytic streptomycetes have been isolated and characterized from plants with ethnobotanical uses on the Malay Peninsula including: Thottea grandiflora (family -Aristolochiaceae), Polyalthia spp. (family -Annonaceae), and Mapania sp. (family -Cyperaceae). Each isolate, as studied by scanning electron microscopy, has small hyphae, and produces typical barrel-shaped spores arising by hyphal fragmentation. Interestingly, although none has any detectable antibacterial killing properties, each has demonstrable killing activity against one or more pathogenic fungi including organisms such as Phytophthora erythroseptica, Pythium ultimum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Mycosphaerella fijiensis and Rhizoctonia solani. Molecular biological studies on the rRNA gene sequence of each isolate revealed that it is distinct from all other genetic accessions of streptomyectes in GenBank, and each bears some genetic similarity to other streptomycetes. The bioactivity of each microbe was extractable in various organic solvents.

Biologically Active Endophytic Streptomycetes from Nothofagus spp. and Other Plants in Patagonia

Endophytic streptomycetes have been isolated and characterized from several species of Nothofagus and other plants growing in the southern reaches of Patagonia. No endophytic streptomycete was obtained from any plant species studied in Northern Patagonia. However, from Southern Patagonia, biologically active Streptomyces spp. from several plant species were isolated. Each isolate, as studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), has small hyphae, some produce typical barrel-shaped spores in culture and each has some unique hyphal surface structures. Interestingly, although none has any detectable antibacterial killing properties, each has demonstrable killing activity against one or more pathogenic fungi including representative plant pathogenic organisms such as Phytophthora erythroseptica, Pythium ultimum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Mycosphaerella fijiensis, and Rhizoctonia solani. The 16S rDNA sequences of the isolates were distinct from all other genetic accessions of Streptomyces in GenBank. However, isolate C-2 from Chiliotrichum diffusum (Compositae) is identical, in all respects, to isolate C-4 obtained from Misodendrum punctulatum (Loranthaceae). These results confirm that endophytic streptomycetes represent a novel source of biologically active microorganisms.

Isolation of Endophytic Actinomycetes from Different Cultivars of Tomato and their Activities Against Ralstonia solanacearum in Vitro

The populations of endophytic actinomycetes from healthy and wilting tomato plants (tomato cultivars resistant and susceptible to Ralstonia solanacearum) grown in three different sites from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, South China were investigated by cultivation methods. Most of the isolates belonged to streptomycetes. The Aureus group of Streptomyces was the most frequently isolated group. The population composition of Streptomyces varied according to tomato cultivars, physiological status and soil types. The proportions of antagonistic Streptomyces strains from healthy plants were higher than that from wilting plants (P 0.05), but the difference was found from the different sampling sites (P < 0.05). The percentage of bacterial cell wall-degrading streptomycetes from wilting tomato was higher than that from healthy plants (P < 0.05). These results indicated that the cultivar of the host plant, physiological status and sampling sites would influence the proportion of endophytic streptomycetes with different physiological traits. Diversity of endophytic Streptomyces and their physiological diversity should be involved in developing potential biocontrol agents.

Scanning electron microscopy of some endophytic streptomycetes in snakevine-Kennedia nigricans

Soils of all types and locations have generally served as the major sources of streptomycetous bacteria. These organisms are the source of nearly 80% of the world's antibiotics. Now, it is realized that Streptomyces spp. (within the group of prokaryotic filamentous bacteria known as actinomycetes) can exist as endophytes within the interstices of some higher plants. While it is sometimes possible to isolate one or two different streptomycetes from certain plants, most plants are free of these organisms. However, the snakevine (Kennedia nigricans) of the Northern Territory of Australia has yielded at least 39 different endophytic actinomycetes (95% of them being Streptomyces spp.) Most of these isolates possessed no detectable antibiotic properties, while at least seven had antibacterial and antifungal activities. Examination of eight selected cultures by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as environmental scanning electron microcopy (FEI ESEM FEG) (FEI Company, Hillsobro, Ore., USA) revealed unusual patterns, structures, and features of the spores and hyphae of these microorganisms. For instance, as revealed by ESEM FEG for the first time, it has become obvious that extremely fine hair-like structures (average 25-49 nm with gold-coated specimens) exist on the spores and hyphae of some endophytic streptomycetes. The biological purpose of these hair-like protrusions is unknown. Both SEM and ESEM FEG can be effectively used as tools in identification and elucidation of the biology of these organisms. In addition, unusual colony morphology, observed with the unaided eye can very easily be used to distinguish some of these isolates since characteristic donut and pseudo-horn shaped colonies appeared in culture.

Isolation and characterization of endophytic streptomycete antagonists of fusarium wilt pathogen from surface-sterilized banana roots

A total of 131 endophytic actinomycete strains were successfully isolated from surface-sterilized banana roots. These isolates belonged to Streptomyces ( n = 99), Streptoverticillium ( n = 28), and Streptosporangium ( n = 2) spp. The remaining 2 isolates were not identified. About 18.3% of the isolates inhibited the growth of pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense on banana tissue extract medium. The most frequently isolated Streptomyces sp. strain S96 was similar to Streptomyces griseorubiginosus. About 37.5% of the S. griseorubiginosus strains were antagonistic to F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense. The antagonism of strain S96 was lost when FeCl 3 was introduced into the inhibition zone. In vivo biocontrol assays showed that the disease severity index (DSI) was significantly ( P = 0.05) reduced and mean fresh weight increased ( P = 0.001) in plantlets treated with strain S96 compared to those grown in the absence of the biocontrol strain. These findings indicate the potential of developing siderophore-producing Streptomyces endophytes for the biological control of fusarium wilt disease of banana.

Isolation and characterization of endophytic Streptomyces strains from surface-sterilized tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) roots

To isolate endophytic Streptomyces strains from tomato and examine their antimicrobial activity. Endophytic Streptomyces strains were isolated using surface-sterilization methods and identified by morphological characteristics. Antimicrobial activities were measured by the agar plate sensitivity method. Antifungal activity in vivo was measured by seedling mortality in infested soils. Twenty-one per cent of endophytic streptomycete isolates produced antibacterial metabolites and 41% produced antifungal metabolites in S medium. Sixty-five per cent of the most frequently isolated strains inhibited the growth of Rhizoctonia solani by the antibiosis assay but only 32% produced metabolites active against R. solani in S medium. Growth promotion and enhanced disease resistance of seedlings inoculated with Streptomyces sp. strain S30 were observed in tomato but not in cucumber seedlings. Endophytic Streptomyces spp. strains were successfully isolated using stringent methods and strain S30 promoted growth and enhanced resistance to R. solani in tomato seedlings. Endophytic streptomycetes showing antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo may indicate the potential for their use as biocontrol agents particularly of R. solani disease of tomato seedlings.