Application of Gram-Positive endophytic bacteria for biological control of White Mold Disease of Bean caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

Endophytic bacteria are one of the most important potential agents for the control of plant pathogens and their destructive impacts. The aim of current study was to evaluate antagonistic activity of some recently isolated endophytic bacteria for control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causing white mold disease in bean. In total, 103 bacterial isolates were collected from root, stem and leaves of healthy Fabaceae plants. The results showed that eight bacterial isolates had significant antagonistic effects on mycelia growth of S. sclerotiorum in dual culture on PDA medium. The eight isolates based on standard biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequence analysis with 99% similarity were likely related to Streptomyces and Bacillus genus. All selected isolates showed significant inhibition in disease severity in greenhouse experiments. Biological traits, such as length, wet and dry weights of roots and stems in endophytic bacteria treatment showed no differences with healthy control. The results indicating that these endophytic bacteria could be successfully used for biological control of white mold disease of bean.