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A putative endophyticBacillus cereusstr. S42 (KP993206), recovered from surface-sterilised stems ofNicotiana glaucawas assessedin vitroandin vivofor its antifungal potential towardsFusarium oxysporumf. sp.lycopersici(FOL). Pathogen sporulation was significantly inhibited byB. cereusstr. S42. FOL mycelial growth was reduced using its whole-cell suspensions, cell-free culture supernatant and chloroform extract. Its extracellular metabolites remained effective after heating at 50–100 °C with a decline in their activity was observed beyond 100 °C, when added with proteinase K and/or after pH adjustment to 2 and 12. Chitinase gene was detected using PCR amplification. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of its chloroform extract matched phthalic acid, dibutyl ester with high level of similarity.B. cereusstr. S42 cell-free culture supernatant and whole-cell suspensions had significantly suppressed Fusarium wilt severity by 87–96% and enhanced tomato growth by 39–79% compared to FOL-inoculated and untreated control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]