Molecular Characterization and Identification of Endophytic Bacteria from Sugarcane Stalk Against Ringspot Disease of Sugarcane (Epicoccum sorghinum) in Negros Island Region (NIR), Philippines

Sugarcane productivity in the Philippines is threatened by ringspot disease caused by Epicoccum sorghinum.This study evaluated the antagonistic potential of sugarcane endophytic bacteria against E. sorghinum using Dual Culture (DCA) and Volatile Compound Assays (VCA).Molecular identification via 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed the bacterial identities.Burkholderia gladioli exhibited the highest inhibition in DCA (57.79%), while Bacillus zhangzhouensis was most effective in VCA (49.56%).Stenotrophomonas rhizophila also demonstrated inhibitory activity (16.55%).These results indicate that these endophytic strains are promising, sustainable biocontrol alternatives to chemical pesticides for managing sugarcane ringspot disease.Future work should focus on validation in screenhouse and field testing.