Manual prático para análise do potencial antagonista microbiano: teste de confronto ou antagonismo

Abstract

This practical manual provides guidelines for analyzing the antagonistic potential of microorganisms, aiming to identify biological control agents as a sustainable alternative to the indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture. The theoretical framework addresses the environmental and public health impacts caused by synthetic chemicals, highlighting biological control as an essential tool in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The methodology details the confrontation test, or dual culture method, using Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) medium to observe pathogen growth inhibition through mechanisms such as antibiosis, mycoparasitism, and competition. The material describes inoculation procedures, incubation, and the quantification of biocontrol efficacy through the calculation of the Percentage of Radial Growth Inhibition (PIR). This guide seeks to standardize the laboratory screening of microbial isolates with potential for developing robust agricultural bioproducts.