In Vitro Studies of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from Ginger (Zingiber officinale) as Potential Plant-Growth-Promoting and Biocontrol Agents against Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum

Agriculture currently confronts a multitude of challenges arising from the excessive utilization of chemical pesticides and the proliferation of phytopathogenic fungi strains that exhibit resistance to commonly employed active compounds in the field. Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are phytopathogenic fungi that inflict substantial economic losses within agriculture and food due to their high impacts on crops both pre- and post-harvest. Furthermore, the emergence of fungal strains that are resistant to commercial fungicides has exacerbated this problem. To explore more environmentally sustainable alternatives for the control of these pathogens, an investigation into the endophytic bacteria associated with ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) was conducted. The primary focus of this study involved evaluating their inhibitory efficacy against the fungi and assessing their potential for promoting plant growth. The endophytic bacteria genera Lelliottia, Lysinibacillus, Kocuria, Agrococcus, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Zymobacter, and Mycolicibacterium were identified. All isolates showed remarkable in vitro antagonistic ability against B. cinerea (>94%) and C. acutatum (>74%). Notably, the Lelliottia amnigena J29 strain exhibited a notable proficiency in producing extracellular enzymes and indole compounds (IAA), solubilizing phosphate and potassium, and forming biofilm. Furthermore, the Lysinibacillus capsici J26, Agrococcus citreus J28, and Mycolicibacterium sp. J5 strains displayed the capacity for atmospheric nitrogen fixation and siderophore production. These findings underscore the agricultural and biotechnological potential of endophytic bacteria derived from ginger plants and suggest the feasibility of developing alternative approaches to manage these two phytopathogenic fungi.