Endophytic fungi and methods of use
View Patent ↗This invention provides a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor , that produces a mixture of volatile antibiotics with activity on specific plant pathogens, bacteria, nematodes and insects. Also provided is a method for treating or protecting plants, soil and seeds from microbial infections comprising applying an effective amount of a volatile antibiotic producing Muscodor sp. The invention also relates to fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal and nematicidal compositions comprising this novel Muscodor strain and the antibiotics and metabolites produced by this strain either alone, or in combination with other chemical and biological pesticides. Also provided is a method for identifying and isolating related gas producing fungi.
1. A method for obtaining a volatile composition comprising culturing a biologically pure culture of a strain of Muscodor and collecting the volatile composition produced.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the strain of Muscodor is Muscodor albus.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the Muscodor albus is the strain deposited as NRRL 30547.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the strain of Muscodor is Muscodor roseus.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the Muscodor roseus is the strain deposited as NRRL 30548.