Antagonistic Activity against Dirty Panicle Rice Fungal Pathogens and Plant Growth-Promoting Activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens BAS23.

Bacterial strain BAS23 was isolated from rice field soil and identified as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Based on dual culture method results, the bacterium BAS23 exhibited potent in vitro inhibitory activity on mycelial growth against a broad range of dirty panicle fungal pathogens of rice (Curvularia lunata, Fusarium semitectum and Helminthosporium oryzae). Cell-free culture of BAS23 displayed a significant effect on germ tube elongation and mycelial growth. The highest dry weight reduction (%) values of C. lunata, H. oryzae and F. semitectum were 92.7%, 75.7% and 68.9%, respectively. Analysis of electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy revealed that the lipopeptides were iturin A with a C14 side chain (C14 iturinic acid) and with a C15 side chain (C15 iturinic acid), which were produced by BAS23 when it was cultured in nutrient broth (NB) for 72 h at 30°C.BAS23, the efficient antagonistic bacterium, also possessed in vitromultipletraits for plant growth promotionand improved rice seedling growth. The results indicated that B.amyloliquefaciens BAS23 represents a useful option either for biocontrol or as a plant growth-promoting agent.