Early Stages in Development of a Biofungicide to Control Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis in Greenhouse Cucurbits

(Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Schlecht, Emend [Snyder and Hansen]) causes root rot and fusarium wilt of greenhouse cucurbits in Kerman Province. In search for new biofungicides, antagonistic activity of soil Actinomycetes isolates were assayed against the pathogen from which (Streptomyces olivaceus strain 115) showed anti-fusarium activity both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The active strain was grown in aqueous media on rotary shakers to monitor activity versus time and prepare active dry crude for further biological and physical studies. Antifungal activity was of fungistatic type on the pathogen mycelia. From the stand point of biotechnological usage of this natural product, amending greenhouse soil mix with (S. olivaceus strain 115) as a biofungicide, will lead to inhibition or reduction of the pathogen effects.

Keywords:

Biofungicide , Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis , Streptomyces olivaceus , Antifungal , Biological Control