title: Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis V26 as a biological control agent against Rhizoctonia solani on potato.
abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the strain Bacillus subtilis V26, a local isolate from the Tunisian soil, to control potato black scurf caused by Rhizoctonia solani. The in vitro antifungal activity of V26 significantly inhibited R. solani growth compared to the untreated control. Microscopic observations revealed that V26 caused considerable morphological deformations of the fungal hyphae such as vacuolation, protoplast leakage and mycelia crack. The most effective control was achieved when strain V26 was applied 24h prior to inoculation (protective activity) in potato slices. The antagonistic bacterium V26 induced significant suppression of root canker and black scurf tuber colonization compared to untreated controls with a decrease in incidence disease of 63% and 81%, respectively, and promoted plant growth under greenhouse conditions on potato plants. Therefore, B. subtilis V26 has a great potential to be commercialized as a biocontrol agent against R. solani on potato crops.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biopesticides, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia. Electronic address: saoussen.benkhedher@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Saoussen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben Khedher
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biopesticides, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia; Département « génie biotechnologique », école polytechnique de Sousse, 4045 Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Olfa
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kilani-Feki
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biopesticides, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mouna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dammak
authors.affiliation: UR13AGR09, Integrated Horticultural Production in the Tunisian Centre East, Regional Center of Researches on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture of Chott-Mariem, University of Sousse, 4042 Chott-Mariem, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Hayfa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jabnoun-Khiareddine
authors.affiliation: UR13AGR09, Integrated Horticultural Production in the Tunisian Centre East, Regional Center of Researches on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture of Chott-Mariem, University of Sousse, 4042 Chott-Mariem, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Mejda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Daami-Remadi
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Biopesticides, Centre of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, P.O. Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Slim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tounsi
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000145:classification; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012232:Rhizoctonia; D011198:Solanum tuberosum
chemical_list: D061046:Biological Control Agents
keywords: Antifungal activity; Bacillus subtilis; Biological control; Potato tuber; Rhizoctonia solani