STUDY OF POTENTIAL ENDOPHYTES IN CONTROL OF THE CAUSAL AGENT IN TOMATO FUSARIOSIS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the ability antimicrobial in vitro of different extracts of endophytic fungi as an alternative in biocontrol of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici. Eight endophytic isolates were obtained from plants of the Cerrado Maranhense and economic interest, namely: mastic (Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão), jenipapo (Genipa americana L.), maize (Zea Mays L.), cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), vinegar (Hibiscus sabidariffa L.) and soursop (Annona muricata L.). The isolated endophytic species were identified in Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum, with distinct morphological characteristics between the colonies and all endophytic growth medium was found. Antimicrobial activity was performed to extract the metabolites of endophytic isolates with solvents: Ethyl Acetate, Chloroform and Dichloromethane subsequently performed bioassay through direct confrontation of the antagonist (endophyte) on Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici race 1, by agar diffusion method. The extracts of endophytic isolates obtained from solvent Chloroform showed inhibitory capacity, thus interfering with the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici race 1 were derived stem corn (II) and jenipapo with diameters of 13 mm and 11 mm, respectively, the other extracts of the isolates showed inhibition halos below.   KEYWORD: antibiosis, biological control, plant pathogen.