Antifungal activity of soil actinomycetes from the mangrove Avicennia marina

Abstract

Totally 25 actinomycetes were isolated by dry heat (70 oC) pre-treatment method on Starch casein agar media, from the soil sample nearer to the root region of the mangrove Avicennia marina from the back water area, Ariyankuppam, Puducherry (UT). All the 25 actinomycetes were subjected for primary screening against the test fungi by agar plug method. Broad spectrum antifungal activity was confirmed by cross streak method for selected antagonistic actinomycetes. Only 2 actinomycetes were selected from A. marina and that were subjected for secondary screening. Finally very active isolate M-20 was selected for further study.