Bacterial strains diversity in <i>Musa</i> spp. phyllosphere with antifungal activity against <i>Mycosphaerella fijiensis</i> Morelet

Abstract

The search for alternatives to agricultural pesticides used for the management of black Sigatoka (Mycosphaerella fijiensis Morelet) includes the selection of microorganisms strains with potential for the control of this pathogen. The objective of the work was to characterize bacterial strains isolated from the phylosphere of Musa spp. with antifungal effect against M. fijiensis. A morphological, cultural, physiological and molecular characterization of the strains was performed and the antifungal activity of these strains was quantified by dual culture. It was verified the diversity of bacteria with antifungal properties against M. fijiensis present in the phylosphere of Musa spp. In addition, it was found that the phyllosphere of these crops can be used as a source of obtaining possible biological controls of M. fijiensis. Keywords: bacteria, biocontrol, Black Sigatoka, epiphytes