Endophytic Fungi as Biological Control Agents Against Soil-Borne Fungal Pathogens in Pepper

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a significant vegetable crop in Egypt, susceptible to a range of fungal pathogens. This study aimed to assess the impact of Fusarium species and Rhizoctonia solani on pepper root rot and damping-off diseases. Four Fusarium species (F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, and F. babinda) and one isolate of R. solani were isolated from infected pepper plants. All isolates proved to be pathogenic, causing characteristic symptoms of damping-off and root rot. Among the Fusarium species, F. semitectum was the most pathogenic, followed by F. solani. The study examined the potential of six endophytic fungi (F. solani, Myrothecium verrucaria, Penicillium funiculosum, F. semitectum, Aspergillus flavus, and Penicillium aurantiogriseum) for controlling damping-off and root rot diseases. In-vitro assays revealed that A. flavus, P. aurantiogriseum, and P. funiculosum were the most effective at inhibiting the growth of the pathogenic fungi, with P. funiculosum demonstrating the highest level of mycelial growth inhibition. Under greenhouse conditions, the endophytes significantly reduced the incidence of damping-off and root rot caused by the Fusarium species and R. solani compared to untreated controls. Among the endophytes, P. funiculosum was the most effective in mitigating both damping-off and root rot across all pathogens, followed by P. aurantiogriseum.