The aims of this study were to identify and evaluate the in vitro antagonistic potential of endophytic bacteria isolated from Echinodorus scaber ("chapéu de couro") on some pathogens and to verify their capability of controlling the growth of fungi in soybean seeds. A total of 113 strains were confronted with five pathogenic fungi (dual culture method) and four pathogenic bacteria (overlay method). The fungal growth control in soybeans was carried out by microbiolization and evaluated by the filter paper method. The antagonistic bacteria were subjected to antibiosis test against four pathogenic bacteria. Two strains inhibited the fungi Colletotrichum lindemunthianum , C. gloeosporioides, Corynespora cassiicula, Fusarium solani, Microsporum canis . In the antibiosis test against pathogenic bacteria, only BREIII-107 showed antagonistic activity. The two strains were identified as Bacillus sp (BREI-92) and Bacillus subitilis (BREIII-107). When inoculated in soybeans, Bacillus sp (BREI-92) and Bacillus subitilis (BREIII-107) inhibited approximately 100% of fungal growth on the seeds.
