Antifungal effect of a local bacillus subtilis, isolate TM07, on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. Lycopersici in Morogoro, Tanzania
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzania Journal of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
Fusarium oxyporum f.sp. lycopersici causes tomato wilt, a severe disease that leads to
extensive yield and quality loss of tomatoes in Tanzania. Management of Fusarium infection
is particularly challenging given the health and environmental concerns over continued use of
chemical pesticides on horticultural food crops. However, there is an increasing focus towards
the use of biocontrol agents to combat phytopathogens worldwide. In this study, bacterial isolates
from tomato rhizosphere were screened for their antagonistic activity in vitro on F. oxysporum.
Based on its superior effectiveness, one isolate, designated TM07, was selected and characterized
as Bacillus subtilis by morphological, biochemical and molecular procedures. On potato dextrose
agar (PDA) the isolate showed an appreciable degree of radial growth inhibition (RGI) of
40.5% of the Fusarium, compared to control (55.9%). Further investigations are recommended
to elucidate on the mechanism behind the inhibitory effect of isolate TM07. In vivo studies are
also recommended to assess the possibility of applying the B. subtilis, isolate TM07, as a local
biocontrol agent of Fusarium wilt of tomato and other susceptible crops.
Description
Journal Article
Keywords
Tomato wilt, Fusarium, Bacillus, Biocontrol