Selection and evaluation of potential biocontrol rhizobacteria from a raised bog environment

Abstract Understanding the interactions of bacteria with plants and the role of microorganisms in the lifecycle of plants is becoming more and more important due to the social claim for a clean agriculture. Thus the significance of studying plant associated bacteria is increasing. The main aim of our study was to isolate and characterize bacteria associated with bryophytes from a natural raised bog ecosystem. Characterization of the isolates by their beneficial properties was realized with microbiological and molecular tools. Bacterial strains were identified taxonomically, isolates belonging to the genera Pseudomonas , Bacillus , Serratia , Stenotrophomonas , Delftia , Cedecea , Lysinibacillus and Viridibacillus have been found. Pseudomonas , Serratia and Bacillus were the dominant bacterial genera associated with bryophytes. In vitro study of antagonism showed that a high number of the isolates inhibited the growth of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens – Fusarium oxysporum , Alternaria alternata , Erwinia carotovora – or produced secondary metabolic substances with biocontrol properties. Bacterial strains identified as Serratia fonticola BB17 and Pseudomonas fluorescens BE8 proved to be the most efficient against plant pathogens, with biocontrol effectiveness up to 48.28% and 55.17% respectively, suggesting the potential use of these strains in biotechnological applications.