Biological control of peanut southern blight (Sclerotium rolfsii) by the strain Bacillus pumilus LX11

Peanut southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is known to cause significant economic losses to peanut production worldwide. The bacterial strain LX11 isolated from the peanut (Arachis hypogaea) rhizosphere was identified as Bacillus pumilus based on its phenotypic features, 16S ribosomal RNA and beta-subunit of DNA gyrase (gyrB) sequence. LX11 showed significant antimicrobial activities against S. rolfsii. The treatment application of LX11 against S. rolfsii was shown to reach over 65% in field trials. LX11 may be useful as a potential biocontrol strain for southern blight of peanut.