Open Access

ARTICLE

Streptomyces PRIO41 as plant growth promoter of jalapeño pepper plants and as biocontrol agent of Fusarium

Robles-Hernández L, J Hernández-Huerta, AC González-Franco, OA Hernández-Rodríguez, A Núñez-Barrios, R Pérez-Leal

Facultad de Ciencias Agrotecnológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Ciudad Universitaria s/n campus I, Chihuahua Chih., México. C.P. 31310.

* Corresponding Authors:Address Correspondence to: Ph.D. Ana Cecilia González Franco, Tel: 52 (614) 439-1844 ext. 3119; e-mail: ;

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2015, 84(2), 253-261. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2015.84.253

Abstract

Chili pepper is one of the main crops of economic importance in Mexico, and Fusarium wilting is a disease that limits its production. In addition, the inappropriate use of agrochemicals in farming activities generate environmental and health problems. Therefore, in this study the effectiveness of Streptomyces sp PRIO41 was evaluated as a (1) biocontrol agent of Fusarium spp and (2) plant growth promoter bacteria. Assays of pathogenicity and virulence of Fusarium spp. in jalapeño pepper seeds, and interactions of these pathogens with Streptomyces PRIO41 were evaluated under two nutritional conditions. In the greenhouse, the effectiveness of Streptomyces sp. PRIO41 was determined as a (1) biocontrol of Fusarium, and (2) plant growth promoter of wilt of pepper plants. The results showed that all fungal isolates caused symptoms in pepper seeds and seedlings with different degrees of virulence. Interactions in vitro showed that Streptomyces showed the most effective range of virulence against Fusarium isolates in the poor medium (37.6%-100%), with fungicidal effects in some cases. In the greenhouse, Streptomyces PRIO41 reduced Fusarium wilting up to a 40%, and positively affected all vegetative growth parameters, particularly plant height, leaf area, root length, and leaf and root dry biomasses. This study showed the potential of Streptomyces PRIO41 as a biocontrol agent of Fusarium spp., and as a biofertilizer of pepper plants.

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