Streptomiceti quali possibili agenti di biocontrollo nei confronti di patogeni radicali

The actinomycetes, key components of the soil and rhizosphere microbial communities, have great potential as biocontrol agents of root diseases. In this study, streptomycetes strains, isolated from roots of various plants, were tested in vitro and in vivo against several pathogenic agents of root rot, with particular reference to tomato, lettuce, corn salad, rocket, and onion. The results highlighted the widespread antifungal activity of these microorganisms and the influence they exert on the development of some crops. Some of the tested strains also showed promising characteristics for the use as biocontrol agents.