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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Chitinolytic activity of endophytic Streptomyces and potential for biocontrol

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Author(s):
Quecine, M. C. [1] ; Araujo, W. L. [1, 2] ; Marcon, J. [1] ; Gai, C. S. [1] ; Azevedo, J. L. [1] ; Pizzirani-Kleiner, A. A. [1]
Total Authors: 6
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Genet, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Mogi das Cruzes, BR-08780911 Mogi Das Cruzes, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Letters in Applied Microbiology; v. 47, n. 6, p. 486-491, DEC 2008.
Web of Science Citations: 49
Abstract

Biological sources for the control of plant pathogenic fungi remain an important objective for sustainable agricultural practices. Actinomycetes are used extensively in the pharmaceutical industry and agriculture owing to their great diversity in enzyme production. In the present study, therefore, we evaluated chitinase production by endophytic actinomycetes and the potential of this for control of phytopathogenic fungi. Endophytic Streptomyces were grown on minimum medium supplemented with chitin, and chitinase production was quantified. The strains were screened for any activity towards phytopathogenic fungi and oomycetes by a dual-culture in vitro assay. The correlation between chitinase production and pathogen inhibition was calculated and further confirmed on Colletotrichum sublineolum cell walls by scanning electron microscopy. This paper reports a genetic correlation between chitinase production and the biocontrol potential of endophytic actinomycetes in an antagonistic interaction with different phytopathogens, suggesting that this control could occur inside the host plant. A genetic correlation between chitinase production and pathogen inhibition was demonstrated. Our results provide an enhanced understanding of endophytic Streptomyces and its potential as a biocontrol agent. The implications and applications of these data for biocontrol are discussed. (AU)