LAUSR

Biological control of pathogens by endophytes is a promising approach. The present study reports the significant impact of an antifungal compound that is isolated from Streptoverticillium morookaense as a potential biocontrol agent. This antifungal compound demonstrated a significant inhibitory activity against the three phytopathogenic fungi, Ustilaginoidea virens, Rhizoctonia solani and Bipolaris maydis and resulted in severe morphological distortions in their structure. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of the compound ranged from 50 to 150 μg/ml. In vitro evaluation of the compound showed strong control efficacy against U. virens, a causative agent of rice false smut fungus, on susceptible rice seedlings. In addition, it promoted plant growth with increased rate of seed germination and displayed no phytotoxicity. This compound also showed stability after its exposure to a temperature of 100 °C. The antifungal metabolite produced by this actinomycete may be developed as a safe and ideal bio-fungicide for the control of different fungal plant diseases.