Isolation of endophytic bacterial isolates from healthy banana trees and determination of their in vitro antagonistic activities against crown rot disease agent Fusarium verticillioides

Aims: Fungal diseases are one of the most important biotic factors causing serious losses in banana cultivation field or greenhouses during cultivation, harvest, storage and transportation periods. Crown rot, caused by Fusarium verticillioides, is considered postharvest fungal disease fruits. In this study, endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from fruits, branches leaves healthy trees their antagonistic potentials investigated against F. verticillioides as a biological control agent (BCA) vitro conditions.Methods Results: A total 23 putative stems trees. All identified MALDI-TOF MS (Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry) analysis. efficiencies 12 different isolates, eight species (Bacillus subtilis ssp. spizizenii (3), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (2), mojavensis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, ludwigii Pseudomonas stutzeri), tested on inhibiting mycelial growth using dual culture tests. Among highest activity was displayed mojavensis BEn3 isolate which significantly inhibited 50.83%. cloacae BEn1, BEn2, faecium BEn7, however, failed to inhibit fungi.Conclusions: Significant suppression indicates that could be possible BCA crown rot agent.Significance Impact Study: Our findings suggest B. Ben3, successful endophyte suppresses can used promising an alternative chemical disease.