Evaluation of antagonistic effect of several strain of Bacillus bacteria on control of crown and root rot of wheat with Fusarium pseudograminearum

Wheat is one of the most important agricultural products in Iran, that plays an important role in ensuring food security. Crown and root rot disease by F. pseudograminearum is one of the most important pathogens that cause economic damages every year. In this study, 80 isolates of Bacillus were isolated from wheat rhizosphere. In dual-culture test, UTB 3, UTB 11, UTB 22, UTB 4 and UTB 7 isolates with 60, 55, 37.5, 22.5 and 20% maximum ability, respectively. In effect test of volatile metabolites on inhibination the growth of F. pseudograminearum, UTB 3, UTB 7 and UTB 11 with 54, 52 and 49% showed the highest percentage of inhibition of fungal growth. These isolates were also capable of nitrogen fixation, production of siderophore and extracellular enzymes involved in biological control (protease, lipase and chitinase), but none of the isolates were able to produce phosphatase enzyme. Greenhouse studies by treating wheat seeds with selected isolates showed that UTB 3 was able to control crown and root rot of wheat by 80.33% compared to the control treatment. Also, this isolate could increase the growth indices of wheat (stem length and root dry weight) in the presence and absence of pathogenic fungi. Therefore, this isolate is introduced as the selected isolate to control crown and root rot disease and increase wheat growth indices.