In vitro evaluation of bacterial endophytes against major seedborne pathogens of rice grains

The present study was conducted with an aim to find out the efficacy of bacterial endophytes against major seedborne pathogens of rice grains. Twenty three seedborne pathogens were isolated by Agar plate method from 26 rice varieties collected from Assam and Meghalaya. Among 23 seed borne pathogens, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, Aspergillus cumulatus, Phoma sorghina, Aspergillus glaucus Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and Bipolaris oryzae were predominant and frequently isolated. Out of 23 endophytes (15 Bacillus spp. and 8 Pseudomonas spp.) isolated from rice leaves, five Bacillus spp. were more effective against growth of fungal pathogens, whereas four Bacillus spp. showed effectiveness against X. oryzae pv. oryzae.