Evaluation of the action potential of Antarctic fungus extracts against leaf scald in sugarcane

Abstract

Bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are causative agents of many diseases in cultures of great economic importance. Leaf scalding in sugarcane, caused by X. albilineans, causes great losses in this crop, which is of great economic importance, since it is raw material for the production of sugar and ethanol. There are no records of agricultural pesticides capable of satisfactorily controlling the spread of this disease. Alternatively, the search for sustainable products, developed from other microorganisms, results in little or no harm to human and environmental health. In this group, we highlight those resulting from secondary metabolites produced by microorganisms. Recent studies have shown that extremophilic microorganisms, such as those inhabiting Antarctic environments, have bioactive metabolites against several pathogens of medical importance, however, there is a lack of studies regarding the action of these metabolites against phytopathogens of agricultural interest. Thus, the present project aims to evaluate the antibacterial action of secondary metabolites produced by fungi collected in Antarctica against X. albilineans, which causes disease in the sugarcane crop. (AU)