G.H Shahidi Bonjar - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Bahonar University of Kerman.
S Aghighi - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Bahonar University of Kerman.
A Ayatollahi Mousavi - Department of Mycology and Parasitology, College of Medicine, Medical University of Kerman.
N Shahrokhi - Department of Plant Pathology, College of Agricultural Sciences, Bahonar University of Kerman.

Actinomycetes are diverse taxon with diverse abilities in prokaryotes. They are of the most attractive sources of antibiotics and other biologically active substances of high commercial value. Their metabolic diversity is due to their extremely large genome which has hundreds of transcription factors that control gene expression and allows them to respond to specific needs. In modern era of Iran biotechnology, they have not received enough attention in genetic engineering, biotechnology and genetic studies. Preliminary steps in our research goals included accumulation of information about isolation and identification of active strains that express valuable characteristics. At the present research vast isolates were obtained from agricultural soils of Kerman province and screened for antifungal properties against five important phytopathogens. From 170 tested isolates, four showed strong antagonistic activity against: (Rhizoctonia solani), (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis), (Phytophthora drechsleri), (Pythium aphanidermatum) and (Geotrichum candidum). Active strains were identified as: (Streptomyces sindenesis strain 34), (S. plicatus strain 101), (S. olivaceous strain 115) and (Frankia sp. strain 103). The active metabolites had polar nature. Minimum inhibitory concentration was 5 mg/ml in crude extracts of all active strains. Greenhouse studies demonstrated their in vivo performance and desirability. Our ongoing goals include preparation of biofertilizers, biofungicides, isolation of the active metabolites and use in development of recombinant DNAs in plants bearing elevated resistance to phytopathogens.

Biofertilizers, Biofungicides, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, Phytophthora drechsleri, Pythium aphanidermatum, Geotrichum cand