Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Screening and Characterisation of Chitinolytic Microorganisms with Potential to Control White Root Disease of Hevea brasiliensis

  • Published:
Journal of Rubber Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

One of the major diseases affecting Hevea brasiliensis is the white root rot caused by the fungus Rigidoporus microporus. Current treatment measures taken to control rubber diseases are highly dependent on chemical fungicides which pollute the environment and pose health hazards to workers. The utilisation of chitinolytic microorganisms for disease control is an attractive alternative. A total of 61 chitinolytic isolates were isolated from soil and tested for antagonism against R. microporus using dual culture assay. Out of the 61 chitinolytic microorganisms, 46 exhibited inhibition against R. microporus ranging from 3.67% to 85.65% with isolate SPSB 4-4 recording the highest percentage inhibition. Light microscopy observation revealed degradation of mycelium implying the hydrolysis of fungal cell wall by chitinase. Nine chitinolytic microorganisms which exhibited the highest percent inhibition were selected for dipped stick inhibition assay. All nine isolates inhibited the growth of R. microporus with percent inhibition ranging from 31.69% to 91.63% with isolate SPSB 4-4 exhibiting the highest percent inhibition. These nine isolates were sent for 16S rRNA gene sequencing for bacterial identification. The isolates were identified to be from the genus Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Streptomyces. These chitinolytic microorganisms hold great potential to be developed as effective, environmentally friendly and worker-safe solution for crop protection.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. JOHNSTON, A. (1989) Diseases and Pest. In: Webster, C.C., Baulkwill, W.J. (Eds), Rubber. New York: Longman Scientific and Technical, 415–458.

  2. RAO, B. S. (1975) Maladies of Hevea in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia.

    Google Scholar 

  3. RUBBER RESEARCH INSTITUTE MALAYSIA (1974) Root Diseases of Hevea (Editorial) Planters’ Bulletin, 133, 109–110.

    Google Scholar 

  4. GOHEL, V., SINGH, A., VIMAL, M., ASHWINI, P. AND CHHATPAR, H.S. (2006) Bioprospecting and antifungal potential of chitinolytic microorganisms. Afr J Biotechnol, 5(2), 54–72.

    Google Scholar 

  5. SIVAN, A. AND CHET, I. (1989) Degradation of Fungal Cell Walls by Lytic Enzymes of Trichoderma harzianum. J. Gen. Microbiol., 135(3), 675–682.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. IDWAN SUDIRMAN, L., IRAQI HOUSSEINI, A.I., LE FEBVRE, G., KIFFER, E. AND BOTTON, B. (1992) Screening of Some Basidiomycetes for Biocontrol of Rigidoporus microporus, A Parasite of the Rubber Tree Hevea brasiliensis. Mycological Research, 96(8), 621–625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. JAYASURIYA, K.E., AND DEACON, J.W. (1995) In Vitro Interactions between Rigidoporus microporus, the Cause of White Root Disease of Rubber and Some Potentially Antagonistic Fungi. J. Rubb. Res. Inst. Sri Lanka, 76, 36–54.

    Google Scholar 

  8. JAYASURIYA, K.E. AND THENNAKOON, B.I. (2007) Biological Control of Rigidoporus microporus, the Cause of White Root Disease in Rubber. Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.), 36(1), 9–16.

    Google Scholar 

  9. KAEWCHAI, S. AND SOYTONG, K. (2010) Application of Biofungicides Against Rigidoporus microporus Causing White Root Disease of Rubber Trees. J. Agric. Technol., 6(2), 349–363.

    Google Scholar 

  10. SHARMA, N., SHARMA, K.P., GAUR, R.K., AND GUPTA, V.K. (2011) Role of Chitinase in Plant Defense. Asian Journal of Biochemistry, 6(1), 29–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. NEERAJA, C., ANIL, K., PURUSHOTHAM, P., SUMA, K., SARMA, P.V.S.R.N., MOERSCHBACHER, B.M., AND PODILE, A.R. (2010) Biotechnological Approaches to Develop Bacterial Chitinases as a Bioshield against Fungal Diseases of Plants. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 30(3), 231–241.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. NAGPURE, A., CHOUDHARY, B., KUMAR, S., AND GUPTA, R.K. (2013) Isolation and Characterization of Chitinolytic Streptomyces sp. MT7 and Its Antagonism towards Wood-Rotting Fungi. Ann. Microbiol. 64 (2), 531–541.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. PATIL, R.S., GHORMADE, V.V., AND DESHPANDE, M.V. (2000) Chitinolytic Enzymes: An Exploration. Enzyme Microb. Technol., 26(7), 473–483.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. REN, Y.Y., AND WEST, C.A. (1992) Elicitation of Diterpene Biosynthesis in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) by Chitin. Plant Physiol, 99(3), 1169–1178.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. MANJULA, K., KISHORE, G.K. AND PODILE, A.R. (2004) Whole Cells of Bacillus subtilis AF 1 Proved More Effective Than Cell-Free and Chitinase-Based Formulations in Biological Control of Citrus Fruit Rot and Groundnut Rust. Can. J. Microbiol., 50(9), 737–744.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. KISHORE, G.K., PANDE, S., AND PODILE, A.R. (2005) Biological Control of Late Leaf Spot of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) with Chitinolytic Bacteria. Phytopathology, 95(10), 1157–1165.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. AJIT, N. S., VERMA, R. AND SHANMUGAM, V. (2006) Extracellular Chitinases of Fluorescent Pseudomonads Antifungal to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Dianthi Causing Carnation Wilt. Current Microbiology, 52(4), 310–316.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. MUKHERJEE, G., AND SEN, S.K. (2006) Purification, Characterization, and Antifungal Activity of Chitinase from Streptomyces venezuelae P10. Current Microbiology, 53(4), 265–269.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. YANG, C. Y., HO, Y.C., PANG, J.C., HUANG, S.S., AND TSCHEN, J.S.M. (2009) Cloning and Expression of an Antifungal Chitinase Gene of a Novel Bacillus subtilis Isolate from Taiwan Potato Field. Bioresource Technology, 100(3), 1454–1458.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. ANITHA, A. AND RABEETH, M. (2010) Degradation of Fungal Cell Walls of Phytopathogenic Fungi by Lytic Enzyme of Streptomyces griseus. African Journal of Plant Science, 4(3), 61–66.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. CHANG, W.T., CHEN, M.L., AND WANG, S.L. (2010) An Antifungal Chitinase Produced by Bacillus subtilis Using Chitin Waste as a Carbon Source. World J Microbiol. Biotechnol., 26(5), 945–950.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. LIU, D., CAI, J., XIE, C. C., LIU, C. AND CHEN, Y. H. (2010) Purification and Partial Characterization of a 36-kDa Chitinase from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. colmeri, and its Biocontrol Potential. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 46(3), 252–256.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. ABDEL-SHAKOUR, E.H. (2012) Assessment of Antifungal Activity of Chitinase Produced by Bacillus licheniformis EG5 Isolated from Egyptian Soil. Life Science Journal, 9(4), 3560–3572.

    Google Scholar 

  24. BRZEZINSKA, M.S., AND JANKIEWICZ, U. (2012) Production of Antifungal Chitinase by Aspergillus niger LOCK 62 and Its Potential Role in the Biological Control. Curr. Microbiol., 65(6), 666–672.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. EMAN ZAKARIA, G. (2012) Chitinase Production by Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus licheniformis: Their Potential in Antifungal Biocontrol. The Journal of Microbiology, 50(1), 103–111.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. JANKIEWICZ, U. BRZEZINSKA, M.S., AND SAKS, E. (2012) Identification and Characterization of a Chitinase of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, A Bacterium that is Antagonistic Towards Fungal Phytopthogens. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 113(1), 30–35.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. JIANG, X., CHEN, D., HONG, S., WANG, W., CHEN, S., AND ZOU, S. (2012) Identification, Characterization and Functional Analysis of a GH-18 Chitinase from Streptomyces roseolus. Carbohydrate Polymers, 87(4), 2409–2415.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. KUMAR, D.P., KUMAR SINGH, R., ANUPAMA, P.D., SOLANKI, M.K., KUMAR, S., SRIVASTAVA, A.K., SINGHAL, P.K., AND ARORA, D.K. (2012) Studies on Exo-Chitinase Production from Trichoderma asperellum UTP-16 and Its Characterization. Indian J. Microbiol, 52(3), 388–395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. SOLANKI, M.K., ROBERT, A.S., SINGH, R.K., KUMAR, S., PANDEY, A.K., SRIVASTAVA, A.K. AND ARORA, D.K. (2012) Characterization of Mycolytic Enzymes of Bacillus Strains and Their Bio-Protection Role against Rhizoctonia solani in Tomato. Curr. Microbiol., 65(3), 330–336.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. PATIL, N.S., WAGHMARE, S.R., AND JADHAV, J.P. (2013) Purification and Characterization of an Extracellular Antifungal Chitinase from Penicillium ochrochloron MTCC 517 and Its Application in Protoplast Formation. Process Biochemistry, 48(1), 176–183.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. PRASANNA, L., EIJSINK, V.G.H., MEADOW, R., AND GASEIDNES, S. (2013) A Novel Strain of Brevibacillus laterosporus Produces Chitinases that Contribute to Its Biocontrol Potential. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 97(4), 1601–1611.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. SUMA, K., AND PODILE, A. R. (2013) Chitinase A from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Shows Transglycosylation and Antifungal Activities. Bioresource Technology, 133, 213–220.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. WANG, S.Y. ZHOU, J.J., SHAO, B., LU, Y.J., AND RAO, P.F. (2008) A Thermostable Chitinase with Chitin-Binding Activity from Phaseolus limensis. Journal of Food Science, 73(6), 452–457.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. WANG, S., SHAO, B., FU, H., AND RAO, P. (2009) Isolation of a Thermostable Legume Chitinase and Study on the Antifungal Activity. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 85(2), 313–321.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. WANG, S., YE, X., CHEN, J., AND RAO, P. (2012) A Novel Chitinase Isolated from Vicia faba and Its Antifungal Activity. Food Research International, 45(1), 116–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. ZHANG, J., KOPPARAPU, N.K., YAN, Q., YANG, S., AND JIANG, Z. (2013) Purification and Characterisation of a Novel Chitinase from Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) with Antifungal Activity. Food Chemistry, 138(2–3), 1225–1232.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. BRZEZINSKA, M.S., JANKIEWICZ, U., BURKOWSKA, A. AND WALCZAK, M. (2014) Chitinolytic Microorganisms and Their Possible Application in Environmental Protection. Curr. Microbiol., 68(1), 71–81.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. EL-TARABILY, K.A., SOLIMAN, M.H., NASSAR, A.H., AL-HASSANI, H.A., SIVASITHAMPARAM, K., MCKENNA, F. AND HARDY, G.E.ST.J. (2000) Biological Control of Sclerotinia Minor Using a Chitinolytic Bacterium and Actinomycetes. Plant Pathology, 49(5), 573–583.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. KAMIL, Z., RIZK, M., SALEH, M. AND MOUSTAFA, S. (2007) Isolation and Identification Of Rhizosphere Soil Chitinolytic Bacteria and Their Potential in Antifungal Biocontrol. Global Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2(2), 57–66.

    Google Scholar 

  40. HARIPRASAD, P., DIVAKARA, S. T. AND NIRANJANA, S. R. (2011) Isolation and Characterization of Chitinolytic Rhizobacteria for the Management of Fusarium Wilt in Tomato. Crop Protection, 30(2), 1606–1612.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. TANG-UM, J. AND NIAMSUP, H. (2012) Chitinase Production and Antifungal Potential of Endophytic Streptomyces Strain P4. Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology, 6(1), 95–104.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. PATTANAPIPITPAISAL, P. AND KAMLANDHARN, R. (2012) Screening of Chitinolytic Actinomycetes for Biological Control of Sclerotium rolfsii Stem Rot Disease of Chilli. Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology, 34(4), 387–393.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. WANG, K., YAN, P.S., CAO, L.X., DING, Q.L., SHAO, C. AND ZHAO, T.F. (2013) Potential of Chitinolytic Serratia marcescens Strain JPP1 For Biological Control Of Aspergillus parasiticus and Aflatoxin. BioMed Research International. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/397142

    Google Scholar 

  44. MURTHY, N. AND BLEAKLEY, B. (2012) Simplified method of preparing colloidal chitin used for screening of chitinase-producing microorganisms. The Internet Journal of Microbiology, 10(2).

    Google Scholar 

  45. MEENA, B., MARIMUTHU, T., VIDHYASEKARAN, P. AND VELAZHAHAN, R. (2001) Biological Control of Root Rot of Groundnut with Antagonistic Pseudomonas fluorescens Strains. J. Plant Dis. Protect., 108(4), 368–381.

    Google Scholar 

  46. PARK, M.S., JUNG, S.R., LEE, M.S., KIM K.O., DO, J.O., LEE, K.H., KIM, S.B., AND BAE, K.S. (2005). Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria Associated with Two Sand Dune Plant Species, Calystegia soldanella and Elymus mollis. J. Microbiol. 43(3), 219–227.

    Google Scholar 

  47. JANDA, J.M. AND ABBOTT, S.L. (2007) 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing for Bacterial Identification in the Diagnostic Laboratory: Pluses, Perils and Pitfalls. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 45(9), 2761–2764.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. WELLER, D.M. (2007) Pseudomonas Biocontrol Agents of Soilborne Pathogens: Looking Back Over 30 Years. Phytopathology, 97(2), 250–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. VISWANATHAN, R. AND SAMIYAPPAN, R. (2002) Induced Systemic Resistance By fluorescent Pseudomonads against Red Rot Disease of Sugarcane Caused by Colletotrichum falcatum. Crop Protection, 21(1), 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. SALAHEDDIN, K., VALLUVAPARIDASAN, V., LADHALAKSHMI, D. AND VELAZHAHAN, R. (2010) Management of Bacterial Blight of Cotton Using A Mixture of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis. Plant Protect. Sci., 46(2), 41–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. SHIRZAD, A., FALLAHZADEH-MAMAGHANI, V. AND PAZHOUHANDEH, M. (2012) Antagonistic Potential of Fluorescent Pseudomonads and Control of Crown and Root Rot of Cucumber Caused by Phythophtora drechsleri. Plant Pathol. J., 28(1), 1–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. KHANUCHIYA, S., PARABIA, F.M., PATEL, M., PATEL, V., PATEL, K. AND GAMI, B. (2012) Effect of Pseudomonas fluorescence, P. aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis As Biocontrol Agent For Crop Protection. Cibtech Journal of Microbiology, 1(1), 52–59.

    Google Scholar 

  53. COENYE, T., MAHENTHIRALINGAM, E., HENRY, D., LIPUMA, J.J., LAEVENS, S., GILLIS, M., SPEERT, D.P. AND VANDAMM, P. (2003) Burkholderia ambifaria sp. nov., A Novel Member of the Burkholderia cepacia Complex Including Biocontrol and Cystic fibrosis-Related Isolates. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology, 51, 1481–1490.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. ROBERTS, D.P., LOHRKE, S.M., MEYER, S.L.F., BUYER, J.S. BOWERS, J.H., BAKER, C.J., LI, W., DE SOUZA, J.T., LEWIS, J.A. AND CHUNG, S. (2005) Biocontrol Agents Applied Individually and in Combination for Suppression of Soilborne Diseases of Cucumber. Crop Protection, 24(2), 141–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. SCUDERI, G., BONACCORSI, A., PANEBIANCO, S., VITALE, A., POLIZZI, G. AND CIRVILLERI, G. (2009) Some Strains of Burkholderia gladioliare Potential Candidates for Postharvest Biocontrol of Fungal Rots in Citrus and Apple Fruits. Journal of Plant Pathology, 91(1), 207–213.

    Google Scholar 

  56. AZADEH, B.F., SARIAH, M. AND WONG, M.Y. (2010) Characterization of Burkholderia cepacia Genomovar I as a Potential Biocontrol Agent of Ganoderma boninense in Oil Palm. African Journal of Biotechnology, 9(24), 3542–3548.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. SATYA, V.K., VIJAYASAMUNDEESWARI, A., PARANIDHARAN, V. AND VELAZHAHAN, R. (2011) Burkholderia sp. Strain TNAU-1 for Biological Control of Root Rot in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata L.) Caused by Macrophomina phaseolina. Journal of Plant Protection Research, 51(3), 273–278.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. DEVI, S.I., SOMKUWAR, B., POTSHANGBAM M. AND TALUKDAR, N.C. (2012) Genetic Characterization of Burkholderia cepacia Strain from Northeast India: A Potential Bio-Control Agent. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 3(8), 1179–1188.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. DE LOS SANTOS-VILLALOBOS, S., BARRERA-GALICIA, G.C., MIRANDA-SALCEDO, M.A. AND PENA-CABRIALES, J.J. (2012) Burkholderia cepacia XXVI Siderophore with Biocontrol Capacity against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 28(8), 2615–2623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. ERRAKHI, R., BOUTEAU, F., LEBRIHI, A. AND BARAKATE, M. (2007) Evidences of Biological Control Capacities of Streptomyces spp. against Sclerotium rolfsii Responsible for Damping-off Disease in Sugar Beet (Beta vulgaris L.). World J. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 23(11), 1503–1509.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. SOUSA, C.D.S., FERMINO SOARES, A.C.F. AND GARRIDO, M.D.S. (2008) Characterization of Streptomycetes with Potential to Promote Plant Growth and Biocontrol. Sci. Agric., 65(1), 50–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. SHTERNSHIS, M.V., BELJAEV, A.A., SHPATOVA, T.V., BOKOVA, J.V. AND DUZHAK, A.B. (2002) Field Testing of Bacticide, Phytoverm and Chitinase for Control of the Raspberry Midge Blight in Siberia. BioControl, 47(6), 697–706.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. PRAPAGDEE, B., KUEKULVONG, C. AND MONGKOLSUK, S. (2008) Antifungal Potential of Extracellular Metabolite Produced by Streptomyces hygroscopicus Against Phytopathogenic Fungi. Int. J. Biol. Sci., 4(5), 330–337.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. QUECINE, M.C. ARAUJO, W.L., MARCON, J. GAI, C.S., AZEVEDO J.L. AND PIZZIRANI-KLEINER, A.A. (2008) Chitinolytic Activity of Endophytic Streptomyces and Potential for Biocontrol. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 47(6), 486–491.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. SAJITHA, K.L. AND FLORENCE, E.J.M. (2013) Effects of Streptomyces sp. on Growth of Rubberwood Sapstain Fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 25(3), 393–399.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Production Development Division, Rubber Research Institute of Malaysia, Malaysian Rubber Board, 47000, Sg. Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia

    Nor Afiqah Maiden, Aizat Shamin Noran, Mohd Adi Faiz Ahmad Fauzi & Safiah Atan

Authors
  1. Nor Afiqah Maiden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Aizat Shamin Noran
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohd Adi Faiz Ahmad Fauzi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Safiah Atan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nor Afiqah Maiden.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Maiden, N.A., Noran, A.S., Ahmad Fauzi, M.A.F. et al. Screening and Characterisation of Chitinolytic Microorganisms with Potential to Control White Root Disease of Hevea brasiliensis. J Rubber Res 20, 182–202 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03449151

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03449151

Keywords

Search

Navigation