Antifungal and growth-promoting activity of Azospirillum brasilense in Zea mays L. ssp . mexicana.

Zea maysL. ssp.mexicana(teosinte) is a naturally occurring grass related to maize. The two plants have developed foliar fungal diseases that can be controlled with beneficial bacterial antagonists. While the beneficial effects on stem and root development of the application of bacteria of the genusAzospirillumis widely known, the effects of the bacteria on the control of the phytopathogenic fungi associated with teosinte leaves and seeds are unknown. Bacterium of the speciesA. brasilensethat present acetylene reducing activity, siderophore production and the ability to antagonise pathogenic fungiin vitroandin vivoin teosinte plants were selected for this study, in which the incidence of fungal diseases caused byAlternaria, BipolarisandFusariumwere reduced in plants. Furthermore, biomass (root and stem) production increased, improving teosinte plant health in greenhouse and field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]