Rhizoctonia solani is a destructive pathogen on several plant species. The isolates of R. solani AG- 2-2 IIIB are important due to their diverse host range and association with bean diseases such as web blight, hypocotyl rot, and damping off. In response to the adverse environmental effects of chemical fungicides, the possibility of resistance in pathogen populations, and unpredictable prices of chemicals, adopting alternative strategies such as the use of biological fungicides is necessary for managing the diseases caused by R. solani. Members of the genus Acrophialophora, such as A. jodhpurensis, are valuable sources of metabolites with diverse applications in agriculture, biotechnology, industry, and medicine. This study investigated the effects of different culture conditions on the biocontrol of R. solani AG-2-2 IIIB by A. jodhpurensis. The addition of fructose (1%), ammonium chloride (3.5%), and asparagine (0.1%) as the most effective carbon, nitrogen, and amino acid sources, respectively, significantly increased the growth rate and release of volatile and non-volatile metabolites, as well as the antagonistic activity of A. jodhpurensis against the pathogen. Microscopic observations showed structural changes in R. solani hyphae affected by A. jodhpurensis. Seed coating was performed with A. jodhpurensis spores containing 1% alginate, molasses, or Arabic gum as stickers. Among the stickers, alginate had the greatest effect in reducing the disease index and increasing growth factors in beans. Therefore, seed coating with the endophytic fungus A. jodhpurensis is effective in protecting beans against R. solani. |