Potential of microbial antagonists as biocontrol agents against plant fungal pathogens

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides is one of the primary pathogens of corn in tropical soils. Fusarium verticillioides produces fumonisins and mycotoxins harmful to humans and animals, which are obstacles to international trade. These problems have stimulated research involving integrated disease management to control fungal diseases in plants. One of these techniques consists of biological control aiming to increase the sustainability and productivity of crops such as maize. Furthermore, some fungi-antagonistic bacteria may also perform functions like plant growth promoters. In this study, three bacteria isolated from maize and two isolated from sorghum were evaluated as candidates for biological control and plant growth promoters.