The use of Rhizobacteria against white rot [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary] in lettuce

White rot caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum [(Lib.) de Bary] is one of the most important diseases negatively affecting lettuce production. In this study, effects of rhizobacteria of different species on S. sclerotiorum were investigated. Eight bacterial isolates were used in the study. Firstly, in vitro effects of rhizobacteria isolates were investigated on the mycelium growth and viability of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia. Then, a pot experiment was carried out under controlled greenhouse conditions to determine the effect of selected isolates on white rot disease in lettuce. The effect of tested bacteria on the mycelium growth of S. sclerotiorum ranged between 38.09-79.84%, and the Pseudomonas putida isolate had the highest impact. The bacterial isolates were also effective on the viability of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia. The efficiency in pot experiment was between 50-90%, and the highest effect was recorded in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus strain (ZE-13). It was observed that Enterobacter aerogenes strain (ZE-5) provided the highest yield percentages in the effect of rhizobacteria on vegetative development in plants. The results revealed that bacterial isolates have different inhibitory effects in in vitro and in vivo experiments, while have the potential in the biological control of white rot disease and the tested rhizobacteria provide increases in plant growth.