Isolation and Identification of Antagonistic Bacteria against Botrytis cinerea

Botrytis cinerea is one of the most important limiting factors for tomato production. This work was to evaluate the possibility of exploiting antagonistic bacteria in the biological control of tomato grey mould. The antagonistic bacterium was isolated from rhizospheric soils around distinct tomato diseased (Botrytis cinerea) plants. Antagonistic bacteria B-1 is proved to be efficacious against Botrytis cinerea in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, and its inhibition rate is up to 83%. Through morphological observation, physiological and biochemical characteristics and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, It is initially identified as Bacillus subtilis. This work will lay foundation for the biological control of tomato Botrytis cinerea.