Secondary metabolites from entomopathogenic Xenorhabdus szentirmaii with activity against Sclerotina sclerotiorum

• Grant number: 19/23702-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2019
• End date: November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy - Plant Health
• Principal Investigator: Luís Garrigós Leite
• Grantee: Nathalie Otoya Martinez
• Host Institution: Instituto Biológico (IB). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 17/50334-3 - Institutional research development plan (PDIp): modernization and adequacy of strategic multi-user units of the Instituto Biológico, AP.PDIP

Abstract

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of White Mold, a disease that can attack about 500 plant species, including soybean plants. Soybean acreage in South America has grown more than double in the last 10 years, with Brazil being the second largest producer in the world. However, the soy production system still faces challenges such as the emergence of new pests and diseases. Therefore, this project aims to evaluate and identify the compounds present in the filtrates of the bacterium Xenorhabdus szentirmaii for the management of the fungus S. sclerotiorum. Firstly, the shelf stability of X. szentirmaii and its Secondary Metabolites (SM) will be evaluated for the management of S. sclerotiorum. In addition, the inhibition of S. sclerotiorum in soybean seeds protected with X. szentirmaii and its SM mixed with a half and one quarter of the recommended dose of CERTEZA® fungicide will be evaluated. Subsequently, the identification and isolation of antimicrobial compounds present in SM by liquid chromatography will be performed. After the isolation of the compounds, the inhibitory effect will be evaluated in vitro and in the treatment of soybean seeds on S sclerotiorum. In addition, the possibility of chemically designing the antimicrobial compound most inhibiting the development of S. sclerotiorum will be verified. Finally, will be test the in vitro efficiency (addition of the compound in culture medium and verify the effect on fungal mycelial growth) and in vivo (coat the compound in soybean seed to protect it against the action of the fungus) of the chemical compound on the fungus S. sclerotiorum. Successful treatment of soybean seeds is expected to know the compound(s) responsible for inhibition of S. sclerotiorum, and to develop a product based on the SM of X. szentirmaii or the molecule who providing greater inhibition of S. sclerotiorum, to management the White Mold of soybean plants. (AU)