Antifungal mechanisms of the antagonistic bacterium UTF-33 and its potential as a new biopesticide.

Biological control has gradually become the dominant means of controlling fungal disease over recent years. In this study, an endophytic strain of UTF-33 was isolated from acid mold ( L.) leaves. Based on 16S rDNA gene sequence comparison, and biochemical and physiological characteristics, this strain was formally identified as . UTF-33 was sensitive to most of the antibiotics tested except neomycin. Moreover, the filtrate fermentation solution of UTF-33 had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of rice blast and was used in field evaluation tests, which reduced the infestation of rice blast effectively. Rice treated with filtrate fermentation broth exhibited multiple defense mechanisms in response, including the enhanced expression of disease process-related genes and transcription factor genes, and significantly upregulated the gene expression of titin, salicylic acid pathway-related genes, and HO accumulation, in plants; this may directly or indirectly act as an antagonist to pathogenic infestation. Further analysis revealed that the n-butanol crude extract of UTF-33 could retard or even inhibit conidial germination and prevent the formation of adherent cells both and . In addition, the amplification of functional genes for biocontrol using specific primers showed that UTF-33 expresses genes that can direct the synthesis of , , , , and other substances; this information can help us to determine the extraction direction and purification method for inhibitory substances at a later stage. In conclusion, this is the first study to identify as a potential agent for the control of rice diseases; this strain, and its bioactive substances, have the potential to be developed as biopesticides.