Influence of volatile metabolites of the rhizobacterium Serratia plymuthica 4Rx13 on soilborne fungi

Abstract

The PGPR Serratia plymuthica 4Rx13 produces volatile metabolites that function like antibiotics and inhibit the growth of the phytopathogenic fungi (in-vitro). In presence of bacterial volatiles anti-oxidant enzymes were activated indicating the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fungal cells. Non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation suggested the disruption of fungal membrane integrity. The fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum produced one typical volatile called labda-8 (20),12,14-triene. The ammonia emitted by S. plymuthica 4Rx13 could inhibit fungal growth and evoke oxidative stress in fungi.