A study on the potential of Bacillus thuringiensis AK08 to control pathogenic fungi associated with chili plant

Abstract

Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. are significant fungal plant pathogen that affect chili plants. Various techniques are employed to manage the plant pathogens, including the application of biological agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Bt AK08 in managing Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. Bt AK08 was subjected to dual-culturing experiments with the pathogens individually. Positive controls were employed in this study, consisting of Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. that were cultivated separately on pure potato dextrose agar. Propineb supplemented growth medium was serves as a negative control. The study involved the assessment of colony diameter of Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp., as well as the evaluation of the antagonism activity exhibited by Bt AK08 through antibiosis activity and hyphal lysis. The findings indicated that Bt AK08 did not exhibit any antibiosis action since it did not result in a reduction in the colony diameter of the plant pathogenic fungus. However, we observed the breakdown of the hypha of the fungi. The present discovery suggests that Bt AK08 has promise as a potential agent for the management of Colletotrichum sp. and Fusarium sp. Hence, additional investigation is necessary to maximize its potential.