Antagonistic activity against rice blast disease and elicitation of host-defence response capability of an endophytic Streptomyces albidoflavus OsiLf-2

Rice blast, caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae, can result in notable yield losses in rice production. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of a rice endophytic isolate, Streptomyces albidoflavus OsiLf-2, on the control of rice blast and the possible mechanisms involved. In vitro assays displayed a variety of antagonistic effects of OsiLf-2 against different physiological races of M. oryzae, with peak mycelial growth inhibition ranging from 74.1% to 83.0%. In vivo tests of OsiLf-2 showed 18.0% and 19.6% reduction in disease index in greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. The stable active metabolites in its cell-free culture filtrate inhibited the mycelial growth, spore germination and appressorial formation of M. oryzae in a dose-dependent manner. They also possessed strong antifungal capacities toward various phytopathogens in vitro. OsiLf-2 secreted multiple antimicrobial compounds, cell wall degradation enzymes, siderophore, plant hormones, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase, which might function in direct or indirect resistance to M. oryzae. In addition, a variety of defence responses were induced in OsiLf-2-treated rice, including hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, callose deposition, defence-related enzymes activation, and elevated expression of salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) pathways genes, which might contribute in resisting pathogen attack. The significant biological control activity and host defence-stimulation ability of OsiLf-2 suggest that this endophytic actinobacterial strain could be a promising candidate in the management of rice blast disease.