Biocontrol of Cucumber Damping-off by Streptomyces Strains Producing Siderophore and Cellulase under Extreme Condition

The purpose of this study was to select moderate extremophile antagonistic Streptomyces strains from the Microbial Collection of Agricultural Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran to improve the growth and protection of cucumber against Phytophthora capsici, the causal agent of seedling damping-off disease in greenhouse conditions.

First, the antagonistic activity of eight strains of Streptomyces against three important cucumber pathogens including Pythium aphanidermatum, P. drechsleri and P. capsiciwas investigated in in vitro conditions. These strains were examined for physiological characteristics, plant growth promoting traits and siderophore and cellulase production in the presence of different amount of NaCl (0%, 6%, 10%, and 12%) and temperatures of 29, 37 and 42 °C. Three strains with a similar potential for auxin production including IT25 (salinity tolerant), IT20 (thermophilic) and SS14 with the highest growth inhibition percentage of P. capsici for further studies including SA production and the ability to induce plant growth and biocontrol of cucumber seedling under greenhouse conditions were selected.

The strains were able to produce siderophore at temperatures above 29 °C and siderophore production increased in SS14 and IT20 strains. Conversely, increasing the NaCl concentrations decreased siderophore production by Streptomyces. The increase in the cellulase activity at elevated temperatures was strain-dependent and was observed only for IT20. However, the increase in salinity did not change the activity of this enzyme. The treatment of soil with SS14 and IT20 increased shoot fresh and dry weights in all treatments. IT20 treatment reduced seedling damping-offby 83% compared to the infected control.

The two SS14 and IT20 strains, which had a good ability to control the disease and enhance plant growth, had common characteristics such as growth in the presence of 6% NaCl, siderophore production and cellulase activity under different temperatures and salinity conditions. The better performance of the IT20 and the poor performance of the IT25 may be related to their high temperature (42 °C) tolerance and intolerance, respectively, as well as their increased cellular activity and inactivity at this temperature.