Several workers worldwide have emphasized the role
of endophytic bacteria as biocontrol agent against the
soil borne fungal pathogens. Raupach and Kloepper
[38] demonstrated the role of Bacillus spp. for control of
cucumber pathogens viz., Collectotrichum orbuculariae,
Pseudomoans syringae and Erwinia tracheiphilia Sugarcane endophytic Burkholderia sp. were assessed
for their antifungal activity against sugarcane Ustilago
scitaminea (smut) and Fusarium spp. (stalk rot), 47
strains of endophytic Burkhloderia inhibited the growth
of Ustilago while, 72 inhibited Fusarium growth. 21
inhibited the growth of both the pathogens. Benhamou
et al. [39] indicated the role of endophytic Bacillus spp.
in controlling Fusarium wilt of tomato. Similarly, the B.
pumilus and Pseudomonas spp. were also effective in
controlling vascular wilt of oak [40] and indigenous B.
subtilis isolates were used for controlling wilt disease of
chickpea caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cicir [41].
Yang et al. [42] determined the role of endophytic
bacteria isolated from healthy tomato plant against the
Botrytis cinerea. 49 strains out of 72, had the potentials
to inhibit the growth of B. cinerea with inhibition rate
ranging from less than 50 % to 78 %. The most potent
endophtye isolate W4 had 78 % growth inhibition of B.
cinerea and the isolate was found to be Brevibacillus
brevis.