In vitro and in vivo biocontrol of leaf spot disease caused by Curvularia lunata in maize landrace by Bacillus licheniformis M2-7

Curvularia lunata (Wakker) Boedijn is a phytopathogen that causes leaf spot disease in maize (Zea mays L.), a cereal crop of great economic importance. However, the use of biocontrol agents such as Bacillus species offers an effective and sustainable alternative to reduce the severity of leaf spot disease. Therefore, our study sought to evaluate the applicability of Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 as a potential biocontrol agent against Curvularia lunata in maize landrace plants both in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro experiments demonstrated that strain M2-7 inhibited mycelial growth and conidial germination by 73.75 and 78.66%, respectively. In the in vivo tests, 1 × 103 and 1 × 106 CFU concentrations of strain M2-7 significantly reduced disease severity compared to the control. Our findings suggested that Bacillus licheniformis M2-7 could be used on a commercial scale as an effective biocontrol agent against leaf spot disease in maize.