STUDY ON ANTI-HELMINTHOSPORIUM COMPOUND PRODUCING BACTERIA BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Phyto pathogenic fungi are a serious problem for crop and vegetable due to its damaging effects. In indirect way it also causes serious problem in human and animals by producing mycotoxins. Helminthosporium spp. is one of phyto pathogenic fungi responsible for causing blight in very important food crop like, wheat and oats. It also causes leaf spots in many plants and responsible for root rots in cereals. Spot blotch caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana is one of the most important foliar diseases limiting wheat production in warmer, nontraditional growing areas. Due to infection of such fungi up to 15% crop loss has been reported. So, it is very important to manage this pathogen. Infection caused by such fungi can be controlled by application of antifungal compounds or by applying biocontrol agents. Major limiting factor for antifungal compound application is its low solubility and toxicity. In order to find new safer antifungal compound or biocontrol agent, present research work has been undertaken. From the agricultural soil samples, various microorganisms had been isolated and screened for its antifungal compound production. Anti-Helminthosporium activity was studied by agar cup method. Screened bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis, having capacity of production of antifungal compound. Bacillus subtilis can be applied as biocontrol agent.