In vitro inhibition of some fungal pathogens by bacterial isolates from rice seed coat

Three bacterial isolates from rice seed coat produced diffusible toxins antagonistic to the growth of Pythium ultimum, Pyricularia oryzae, Leptosphaeria nodorum, Penicillium italicum and Stemphylium botryosum on potato-dextrose-agar plates. They were Gram-negative, motile, and oxidase-negative. Bacterization of wheat seeds with the isolates partially reduced damping-off caused P. ultimum as indicated by reduced rates of emergence and dry weights of seedlings grown in repliplacates between 17-20 degrees C in a growth room. This suggests that in vitro studies could be a useful guide to in vivo results