Determination of Desirable Attributes of an Indigenous Burkholderia Isolate Towards Biological Control of Plant Pathogenic Fungi and Its Microbial Enzyme Production

Abstract

Purpose: Microorganisms are proven bio-resources for the environmentally-friendly and sustainable biological control of plant diseases and microbial enzyme production. The present study confi rms the identity of an indigenous Burkholderia isolate, determines its desirable features as a biological control agent of plant pathogenic fungi and an enzyme producer and analyzes molecular relationships with selected environmental isolates of Burkholderia. Research Method:In vitro antagonism of Burkholderia isolate on colony growth and spore germination of fi ve fungal pathogens causing fi eld and postharvest diseases were tested. Antifungal ability of cell-free fi ltrate and eff ect of temperature on antifungal ability were determined. Extracellular enzyme production of Burkholderia isolate was screened and phylogenetic relationships were elucidated.Findings: Burkholderia isolate inhibited colony growth of the fi ve fungal pathogens by a range of 45 -59 %, reduced the spore germination ability forming spores of a typical morphology. Antifungal ability was lost beyond 57 oC and cell-free fi ltrates did not show antagonism against the tested fungi. The bacterial isolate gave the best match with Burkholderia A45 strain and it was; catalase, gelatinase, lipase and casein hydrolysis positive. The indigenous bacterial isolate grouped together with Burkholderia strains, having biodegradation ability of environmental pollutants. Research Limitations:Absence of a comprehensive image on extracellular enzyme producing ability and information on biodegradation ability of the bacterial isolate.Originality/value: Findings will be useful to exploit the potential of the bacterium in integrated management of pre-and postharvest fungal diseases and in microbial enzyme production.

Exogenous application of a Burkholderia sp. and jasmonic acid at the postharvest stage for management of anthracnose in dessert banana (Musa acuminata)

“…MK838493, GenBank, NCBI) and has been maintaining in sterilized distilled water at 4°C in the Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya was used as the bacterial biocontrol agent. Potential of the Burkholderia BSL isolate in controlling C. musae under in vitro and in vivo conditions has been reported by De Costa and Erabadupitiya (2005): De Costa et al (2008) and Bulathsinhalage et al (2020). Prior to usage of the stock culture in the present study, purity of the Burkholderia culture was checked and its antagonism against C. musae was confirmed by the dual culture plate method (Morton & Strouble, 1955).…”

“…Burkholderia BSL, a locally isolated isolate (Accession no. MK838493, GenBank, NCBI) and has been maintaining and Bulathsinhalage et al (2020). Prior to usage of the stock culture in the present study, purity of the Burkholderia culture was checked and its antagonism against C. musae was confirmed by the dual culture plate method (Morton & Strouble, 1955).…”

“…In the present study, Burkholderia sp. (BS), a bacterium confirmed as an antagonist of C. musae (Bulathsinhalage et al, 2020) was used as the biotic elicitor and JA was used as the abiotic elicitor. The primary objective of the present study was to determine the ability of BS and JA to manage anthracnose when applied exogenously at the postharvest stage of banana experiencing natural (latent) and wound infections.…”