ABSTRACT In the present study, the hexane, acetone and methanol extracts of stem, branches and roots from Crotalaria longirostrata were evaluated for their antifungal activity against Fusarium sp., Fusarium verticillioides and Aspergillus flavus. The variables analyzed were inhibition halos, mycelial growth inhibition, sporulation and minimum inhibitory concentration. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, coumarins, anthrones, anthraquinones, flavonoids and alkaloids on different organic extracts. The hexane extract showed zones of inhibition between 6.3 and 10.5 mm. The mycelia growth and sporulation of A. flavus were reduced to 90% with methanol extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration values obtained with hexane extracts were 6.75 mg mL-1 and with methanol extracts were 50 and 25 mg mL-1 for Fusarium strains. This is the first study reporting of phytochemical composition and biological activity of C. longirostrata that could be used as a natural alternative to control in vitro of certain important pathogenic fungi.

RESUMEN En el presente estudio se evaluó la actividad antifúngica de los extractos hexánicos, cetónicos y metanólicos de tallo, ramas y raíces de Crotalaria longirostrata frente a los hongos Fusarium sp., Fusarium verticillioides y Aspergillus flavus. Las variables analizadas fueron halos de inhibición, la inhibición del crecimiento micelial, la inhibición de la esporulación y la concentración mínima inhibitoria. El análisis fitoquímico reveló la presencia de saponinas, cumarinas, antronas, antraquinonas, flavonoides y alcaloides en los diferentes extractos orgánicos. Los extractos hexánicos mostraron zonas de inhibición entre 6,3 y 10,5 mm. El crecimiento micelial y la esporulación de A. flavus se redujo 90% con los extractos metanólicos. El valor de la concentración mínima inhibitoria obtenida con los extractos hexánicos fue 6,75 mg mL-1 y con los extractos metanólicos fueron 50 y 25 mg ml-1 para las cepas de Fusarium. Este es el primer reporte del estudio de la composición fitoquímica y la actividad biológica de C. longirostrata que podría ser utilizada como una alternativa natural para el control in vitro de ciertos hongos patógenos importantes.

ABSTRACT The effect of plant growth-promoting bacteria inoculation on plant growth and the sugar content in Agave americana was assessed. The bacterial strains ACO-34A, ACO-40, and ACO-140, isolated from the A. americana rhizosphere, were selected for this study to evaluate their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. The three bacterial strains were evaluated via plant inoculation assays, and Azospirillum brasilense Cd served as a control strain. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene showed that strains ACO-34A, ACO-40 and ACO-140 were Rhizobium daejeonense, Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Pseudomonas mosselii, respectively. All of the strains were able to synthesize indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), solubilize phosphate, and had nitrogenase activity. Inoculation using the plant growth-promoting bacteria strains had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on plant growth and the sugar content of A. americana, showing that these native plant growth-promoting bacteria are a practical, simple, and efficient alternative to promote the growth of agave plants with proper biological characteristics for agroindustrial and biotechnological use and to increase the sugar content in this agave species.