Meenakshi Sharma, Nellie Laisram and Ved Pal Singh
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory,
Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi-110 007
Email: vpsingh_biology@rediffmail.com
Abstract: Twenty-two bacterial isolates were obtained by serial-dilution agar plating method and screened for their antagonistic potential against Fusarium udum and Aspergillus flavus by dual-culture assays. Out of these isolates, only one bacterium, strain S1 was found to show antifungal activity against the test pathogens. Culture-filtrate paper disc assays also revealed antagonistic potential of the isolated bacterium. The bacterium was found to be non-pathogenic when tested on blood-agar medium. Thus, the isolated bacterium could be effectively implemented for controlling the diseases caused by F. udum and A. flavus, instead of using the hazardous chemicals and pesticides, which pose potential threat to both human and animal health as well as the environment.
Key words: Aspergillus flavus, Biological control, Fusarium udum, Microbial antagonism.
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