2024 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:4450 ISBN: 978-86-7078-178-8 info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceProceedings Knežević, Magdalena Dervišević, Marina Buntić, Aneta Harnessing Bacillus spp. for targeted biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum All rights reserved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; Bacillus spp.; antibiotic production; fungal inhibition; siderophore producers Abstract: Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, a devastating fungal pathogen, poses significant challenges in managing diseases across various plant species, including economically significant crops worldwide. This plant- pathogenic fungus, distributed across temperate, tropical, and arid regions, causes severe crop damage, leading to substantial yield losses. Given the limitations of synthetic agents for its suppressing, attention has turned towards biological control methods, particularly the selection of beneficial microorganisms. Therefore, the aim of this research was to detect antagonistic effect of bacterial isolates against S. sclerotiorum. Seventeen bacterial isolates isolated from soil (PAM2.1 – PAM 2.17) were screened for their antagonistic activity against this plant pathogen in vitro, on PDA medium. Additionally, bacterial traits significant for the biocontrol, such as the production of siderophores, amylase and cellulases were assessed on appropriate solid media, while the presence of genes coding for antibiotics (fengycin, surfactin, iturin C, subtilin, and bacilysin) was assessed by PCR method. Further, for the most effective isolate the amplification of DNA sequence coding for 16S rRNA gene was done using P0/ P6 primer pair. For the identification, the obtained sequences were compared to those available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Out of 17 tested bacterial isolates, only one (isolate PAM 2.2) showed antagonistic effect against S. sclerotiorum, with inhibition of mycelial growth of about 71%. The same isolate showed the ability to produce siderophores, amylase and cellulase (CMCase). Further, the presence of genes coding for surfactin, subtilin and bacillomycin was detected for the isolate PAM2.2. Based on the NCBI BLASTn analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, isolate PAM2.2 was identified as Bacillus spp. This research highlights isolate PAM2.2 as a promising candidate for biological control against S. sclerotiorum, demonstrating significant antagonistic effects, production of relevant enzymes and antibiotics, thus offering a potential sustainable solution for disease management in agriculture. eng XIII CONGRESS OF MICROBIOLOGISTS OF SERBIA - MIKROMED REGIO 5 “From Biotechnology to Human and Planetary Health” str. 77-77 application/pdf 499592 bytes