Application of endophytic bacteria for the biocontrol of Rhizoctonia solani (Cantharellales: ceratobasidiaceae) damping-off disease in cotton seedlings

The antifungal potentialities of three endophytic bacterial strains, Stenotrophomonas maltophila H8 (Xanthomonadales: Xanthomonadaceae), Pseudomonas aeruginosa H40 (Pseudomonadales: Pseudomonadaceae) and Bacillus subtilis H18 (Bacillales: Bacillaceae) were evaluated against the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani in cotton seedlings under greenhouse conditions. The bacterial strains were applied as a soil drench or talc-based bioformulation in R. solani-infested soil and non-infested soil. Results indicated that the soil drench treatment was more efficient than talc-based bioformulation. A significant increase of seed emergence and seedling survival with a clear reduction of disease severity was achieved with the endophytic bacterial treatments. At the same time, the fresh weight, dry weight, shoot length and root length of the treated plants were markedly enhanced. Moreover, there was an apparent induction of the antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and catalase) of the treated seedlings. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds in the bacterial supernatant. The antagonistic activity of the bacterial strains against R. solani was attributed to their capability to produce a broad spectrum of antifungal compounds in addition to bioactive molecules that can trigger the systemic resistance in the infected seedlings.