Biological control of common bean diseases using endophytic Induratia spp.

Endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Muscodor (now Induratia) are known as producers of bioactive volatile organic compounds with may inhibit the growth of some plant pathogens. Thus, they have been used for the biological control of diseases in some crops in order to reduce the use of fungicides and problems related. In common bean, fungicides are usually applied to control three important fungal diseases: anthracnose, white mold and angular leaf spot. Twelve endophytic fungi isolated from coffee plants growth spontaneously in a secondary forest in Brazil belonging to the genus Induratia were evaluated in in vitro and in vivo assays with the aim of checking the potential for control of these diseases in common bean. In the in vitro assay, mycelial discs of endophytic fungi were evaluated for antagonism against mycelial discs from each pathogen strain (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Pseudocercospora griseola). The in vivo assay the endophytic fungi were inoculated in common bean seedlings and the severity of each disease was assessed after pathogen inoculation. The isolate Induratia coffeana (CML 4009) presented higher percentage of growth inhibition of the phytopathogenic fungi. However, the fungi I. coffeana (CML 4019) and, Induratia yucatanensis (CML 4016 and CML 4017) are among the fungi that provided mean scores below 3, for the three diseases in in vivo test. This study demonstrated for the first time the potential of Induratia spp. for control of three phytopathogens and reduction the diseases caused by them in common bean.