Pathogenesis of Streptoverticillium albireticuli on Caenorhabditis elegans and its antagonism to soil-borne fungal pathogens.

AIMS: To examine the biological activity of Streptoverticillium albireticuli.
METHODS: Isolation of S. albireticuli was carried out using the dry-heat technique. Nematicidal and pathogenic activity on Caenorhabditis elegans was measured by mortality in metabolites and colonization rate on fishmeal extract agar. Antifungal and enzymatic activities of S. albireticuli were measured by the agar plate method and the semidefined solid media method, respectively.
RESULTS: S. albireticuli showed strong nematicidal activity against C. elegans. Pathogenic activity was also evident with the colonized nematode by the isolate on fishmeal extract agar. It also showed antifungal activity against certain fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, Phytophthora cinnamomi and Fusarium oxysporum. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The discovery of an actinomycete showing pathogenic activity against the nematode may indicate the potential for it to be used as a biocontrol agent of parasitic nematodes, in addition to its ability to suppress fungal pathogens.