Native and Non-Native Soil and Endophytic spp. from Semi-Arid Sisal Fields of Brazil Are Potential Biocontrol Agents for Sisal Bole Rot Disease.

Sisal () bole rot caused by is the main phytosanitary problem affecting sisal in the Brazilian semi-arid region. The aim of this study was to evaluate spp. as biocontrol agents for sisal bole rot. Native and non-native species, both soil inhabitants and endophytes, and isolated from different plant hosts were tested. Anatomical studies of the interaction among , spp., and were performed. cf. (isolate F12), an endophyte of sisal leaves; cf. (TCS83) from banana plant soil; (TCS15) and (species complex) (TCS35 and TCS76) from sisal root soil; (R62) and (R75), endophytes of sisal roots, were the most efficient isolates, with inhibition of mycelial growth by up to 70%, and inhibition of sporulation and spore germination by 99%. A reduction in disease incidence of 70 to 93% and in disease severity of 97% was achieved. (TCS1), (species complex) (TCS35 and R72), and (R78) showed mycoparasitism. An increase in cell wall thickness of bole tissue colonized by these species indicated that induced plant defense responses occurred, preventing pathogen colonization, which should be further investigated. Native and non-native species can control sisal bole rot disease.