Fungal endophyte Epicoccum nigrum 38L1 inhibits in vitro and in vivo the pathogenic fungus Fusarium graminearum

•Strain 38L1 was identified as Epicoccum nigrum using molecular analyses.•E. nigrum strain 38L1 has antagonistic activity against selected fungal pathogens in vitro.•Culture filtrates produced by strain 38L1 inhibited F. graminearum strain PH-1.•Strain 38L1 has biocontrol efficacy against F. graminearum strain PH-1 in vitro and in vivo.•Endophyte strain 38L1 reduced the severity of Fusarium head blight under growth chamber and field conditions.