Vermicompost Contained Fungi Act as Biocontrol Agents Against Fungal Pathogens of Chili

Authors

  • Saowapha Surawut Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
  • Chutapa Kunsook Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
  • Sutisa Chaikul Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
  • Woranat Kulchawa Microbiology Program, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
  • Kodchakorn Phophuek Microbiology Program, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rambhai Barni Rajabhat University, Chanthaburi 22000, Thailand
  • Montri Yasawong Program on Environmental Toxicology, Chulabhorn Graduate Institute, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok 10210, Thailand
  • Pornpimon Kanjanavas Faculty of Nursing, Kasem Bundit University, Bangkok 10510, Thailand

Keywords:

Anthracnose, Chili, Fungi, Inhibition, Vermicompost

Abstract

The present study aimed to isolate fungi found in vermicompost that exhibit antifungal activity against fungal pathogens of chili. The fungal pathogens were isolated from chili and their pathogenicity was tested and identified by morphology with sequence analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and Betatubulin2 (TUB2) genes. The results indicated that fungal isolate B1 was identified as Colletotrichum siamense, a causative agent of chili anthracnose. The total fungi in the vermicompost was 2.64 x105 CFU/g with 32 fungal colonies of different morphology being isolated. The antifungal activity was observed with fungal isolates from vermicompost. Among these fungal isolates, 13 fungal isolates (40.63%) revealed antifungal activity against C. siamense with the percent inhibition in the range of 46.85-72.64%. The E10, E8 and F5 isolates revealed the highest percent inhibition of 72.75±4.81%, 71.70±5.45%, and 70.65±4.80%, respectively. The identification of fungal isolates E10, E8, and F5 by morphological study and sequence analysis of ITS, RPB2 (DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 2), and TEF1 (Translation elongation factor 1) were examined. These isolates were identified as Trichoderma breve (E10) and T. zerobreve (E8 and F5). The findings of this study suggest that the fungal isolates from vermicompost with inhibitory activity against chili pathogen could support the use of vermicompost in chili plantations, not only for promoting plant growth but also for controlling fungal pathogens of chili anthracnose.

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Published

2023-12-27

How to Cite

Surawut, S., Chutapa Kunsook, Sutisa Chaikul, Woranat Kulchawa, Kodchakorn Phophuek, Montri Yasawong, & Pornpimon Kanjanavas. (2023). Vermicompost Contained Fungi Act as Biocontrol Agents Against Fungal Pathogens of Chili. Science & Technology Asia, 28(4), 264–272. Retrieved from https://ph02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/SciTechAsia/article/view/250340

Issue

Section

Biological sciences