Efficacy of biocontrol agents in planting mixes to colonize plant roots and control root diseases of vegetables and citrus

Tomato, bell pepper, celery and citrus were propagated in planting mixes amended with formulations of commercial biocontrol agents. Root colonization by selected biocontrol agents was evaluated for pepper, tomato and citrus, and found to be generally between 76 to 100% in both greenhouse ebb and flow, and bench-produced plants. Only colonization by Glomus intraradices was low, about 8%. All biological control agents, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, G. intraradices, Gliocladium virens, and Streptomyces griseovirdis reduced crown rot of tomato in the field, with T. harzianum and B. subtilis being the most effective uniformly among four tests. Four biocontrols reduced Phytophthora root rot on citrus in the field, two applied as a drench to soil in pots reduced Thielaviopsis root rot on citrus, and two biocontrol agents in combination reduced celery root rot caused by Pythium and Fusarium spp., however, none improved above-ground plant growth or health of citrus and celery. Pepper crown and root rot caused by P. capsici was reduced by B. subtilis in one of two tests.     

Effect of antagonistic Fusarium spp. and of different commercial biofungicide formulations on Fusarium wilt of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)

The ability of antagonistic Fusarium spp. to control Fusarium wilt of basil caused by F. oxysporum f. sp. basilici was tested under glasshouse conditions from 1994 to 1996. Fusarium oxysporum antagonistic strain 251/2, a protoplast fusion-derived hybrid coded FI-11 and F. moniliforme strains TF4 and TF4 RB were able to decrease (P = 0.05) the incidence of Fusarium wilt significantly. Biocontrol was consistent, especially when the antagonists were applied by mixing a talc preparation of propagules in the substrate (10⁵ CFU/ml of substrate) 1–2 weeks before sowing or at sowing. Seed coating with the biocontrol strains (10⁸ CFU/g of seed) did not generally provide sufficient disease containment, whereas the combination of substrate treatment and seed coating did not improve wilt control in comparison with substrate treatment alone. Two commercial formulations, based on antagonistic F. oxysporum strains and one containing the antagonistic strain K61 of Streptomyces griseoviridis, were generally not sufficiently effective at the tested dosages.     

Effect of pythium root rot on yield of white bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L.

The effects of Pythium paroecandrum and P. ‘spherical’ on seed yield of white bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were determined under field conditions. Fenaminosulf (Lesan) applied as a soil drench selectively suppressed Pythium populations in soil and increased seed yields by 47% in 1976 and by 33% in 1977. Fumigation of soil with DD-MIT (Vorlex), a commercial mixture of methyl isothiocyanate, dichloropropenes and dichloropropanes, reduced populations of Pythium and Fusarium in soil and increased seed yields by 79% in 1976 and by 29% in 1977. The combination of fenaminosulf and DD-MIT produced the greatest reductions in soil populations of Pythium and Fusarium and increased seed yields by 65%. Pythium paroecandrum and P. ‘spherical’ were associated with feeder-root necrosis and were the only bean-root pathogens detected at the experimental site. In this study, losses in seed yield of white bean due to Pythium root rot were estimated to be 44% in 1976 and 39% in 1977.     

Biological control of neotropical aquatic weeds with fungi

Many of the world's worst tropical aquatic weeds are native to the Neotropics. Besides, the majority of the most aggressive aquatic weeds in that vast region of the world are endemic and therefore there is a need for exploration for biological control agents in that area. Entomologists had an early lead on this search. Only in the late 1970s did plant pathologists started sporadic collections of fungal pathogens of aquatic weeds in the Neotropics for evaluation and use as classical biocontrol agents or as mycoherbicides. Although intensive search of the mycobiota of water hyacinth and other plant species are recent, they have already yielded a range of new potential biocontrol agents. A discussion on the status of studies of the mycobiota of the following selected Neotropical species is presented: Alternanthera philoxeroides, Azolla filiculoides, Echinochloa polystachya, Eichhornia azurea, Eichhornia crassipes, Egeria densa, Myriophyllum aquaticum, Paspalum repens, Pistia stratiotes, Polygonum spectabile, Salvinia auriculata, Salvinia molesta and Typha domingensis.     

Effects of insecticides applied to control cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on watermelon yields

Foliar insecticides applied to control the striped and spotted cucumber beetles, Acalymma vittatum (Fab.) and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, on watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, were of little or no value in three studies conducted in two locations over 2 years. However, an at-planting application of the systemic, soil insecticide carbofuran resulted in higher early yields, although the differences were not statistically significant in small plots. In 1991, large plots comparing carbofuran-treated watermelons with untreated watermelons in two commercial fields showed large and statistically significant increases in melon yield when carbofuran was applied, especially in early yield. Studies in 1992 and 1993 showed that the application of carbofuran at planting stimulated root and shoot growth after transplating and increased yields when compared with untreated plots, plots treated with methyl bromide, or another soil insecticide, terbufos. These studies suggest that carbofuran may be acting as a growth stimulant, as well as an insecticide.     

芽胞杆菌JK05的鉴定及其对香蕉、玉米的促生和生防潜能研究

解淀粉芽胞杆菌、枯草芽胞杆菌和苏云金芽胞杆菌等是重要的有益微生物,被广泛应用于植物病虫的生物防治。前期分离获得1株芽胞杆菌JK05,对其形态、生理生化特征、16S rRNA和gyrA基因序列进行分析,将其鉴定为解淀粉芽胞杆菌植生亚种Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subsp. plantarum。对峙培养实验结果显示,JK05菌株对多种植物病原镰刀菌具有拮抗作用。植物生长促进实验表明,JK05菌株对香蕉和玉米生长具有明显促进作用。盆栽实验结果显示,JK05菌株对香蕉枯萎病具有良好的防治效果。采用特异引物对JK05菌株基因组DNA进行PCR扩增,其可扩增到表面活性素（surfactin）、丰原素（fengycin）、伊枯草菌素A（iturin A）等抗生素合成基因。综上,JK05菌株具有良好的生防潜力,有望应用于生物农药和微生物肥料。     

Integration of Pseudomonas fluorescens and acibenzolar-S-methyl to control bacterial spot disease of tomato

Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria was isolated from infected tomato seedlings grown in an open field in Egypt. All the tested isolates infected tomato plants but with different degrees of disease severity. In an attempt to manage this disease, tomato seeds and/or seedlings were treated with an antagonistic local isolate of Pseudomonas fluorescens as a suspension or its formulation or acibenzolar-S-methyl (BTH). When the above three treatments were applied to tomato seeds under laboratory conditions, they improved seed germination and seedlings vigour relative to control seeds treated with sterile distilled water and pathogen but P. fluorescens culture was the most effective. Under greenhouse and field conditions, combinations of the above treatments were used. All treatments significantly reduced disease severity of bacterial spot in tomato relative to the infected control. The biggest disease reduction compared to seedlings inoculated with the pathogen alone resulted from a foliar application of P. fluorescens. Combined application of P. fluorescens or its formulation with BTH reduced the pathogen population and increased seedling biomass and tomato yield relative to control seedlings.     

Effects of chrysophanol, parietin, and nepodin of Rumex crispus on barley and cucumber powdery mildews

Three substances that show antifungal activity against Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei were isolated from roots of Rumex crispus and identified as chrysophanol, parietin, and nepodin. The substances were tested for plant disease control activity in vivo against six plant pathogenic fungi. All specifically reduced the development of barley powdery mildew. The concentrations required for 50% disease control were 4.7 μg/ml for chrysophanol, 0.48 μg/ml for parietin, and 20 μg/ml for nepodin. These agents showed both curative and protective activity against barley powdery mildew. Chrysophanol (100 μg/ml) and nepodin (400 μg/ml) were more effective than the fungicides fenarimol (30 μg/ml) and polyoxin B (100 μg/ml), under glasshouse conditions, against cucumber powdery mildew, which is caused by Podosphaera xanthii. Parietin (30 and 10 μg/ml) reduced the development of cucumber powdery mildew as efficiently as fenarimol (30 μg/ml) and more effectively than polyoxin B (100 μg/ml).     

Use of Chaetomium globosum for biocontrol of potato late blight disease

The efficacy of Chaetomium globosum as a biocontrol agent against the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans was evaluated in potato plants. Among eight Chaetomium isolates evaluated C. globosum isolate Cg-6 showed greater inhibition to mycelial growth of P. infestans in vitro. TLC studies showed that isolate Cg-6 produced an antibiotic called ‘Chaetomin’. Isolate Cg-6 showed greater exo- and endo-glucanase enzyme activity when compared to other isolates. PCR amplification of the ITS region and sequencing of the PCR product confirmed that isolate Cg-6 belongs to the C. globosum group. C. globosum Cg-6 was formulated as a liquid and applied as a tuber, soil and foliar treatment either individually or in combination against Phytophthora infection in potato plants. Among different treatments, combined application of C. globosum as a tuber treatment @ 1 ml/kg of tubers, as a soil application @ 1 ml/kg of Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and foliar spray @ 0.7% resulted in significantly less late blight infection (72%) compared to untreated control (100%) under field conditions. The application of C. globosum resulted in greater tuber yield by reducing late blight infection in two field trials when compared to untreated controls. The study clearly demonstrated the potential use of C. globosum as a biocontrol agent in the management of late blight disease in potato plants.     

Integration of soil applied neonicotinoid insecticides and acibenzolar-S-methyl for systemic acquired resistance (SAR) control of citrus canker on young citrus trees

Soil application of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides for control of psyllid vectors of Huanglongbing disease on young citrus trees also produces season-long SAR control of citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri Schaad et al. The neonicotinoids imidacloprid (IMID) and thiamethoxam (THIA) were compared with soil or sprinkler applications of the commercial SAR inducer acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM) and foliar sprays of copper hydroxide (CH) and/or streptomycin (STREP) to evaluate their effects on the percentage of canker-infected leaves on 2-yr-old ‘Vernia’ orange and 3-yr-old ‘Ray Ruby’ grapefruit trees in Southeast Florida. All treatments significantly reduced the incidence of foliar canker compared to the untreated check. Soil drenches of ASM and season long rotations with IMID and THIA were highly effective for suppressing foliar canker on young grapefruit and orange trees under weather conditions absent of high intensity rains or tropical storms. Sprinkler application of ASM was less effective than soil drench. The level of control for SAR treatments was comparable to eleven 21-day interval sprays of CH and/or STREP. SAR induced by soil-applied insecticides provides substantial benefits for canker disease management on young citrus trees that may be augmented with ASM.     

Cabbage aphid control on commercial farms in the Thames Valley, UK

Cabbage aphid control on June/July-planted cabbages was studied on four commercial vegetable farms in the Thames Valley and compared with an untreated crop at Silwood Park. At the four commercial sites, where growers followed their normal control practices, counts were made of aphids, their predators and parasites, throughout the cropping season and following the application of foliar insecticide sprays. Although natural enemies appear to be important in producing a mid-season trough in aphid numbers, they are unable to cope with the increase in aphid numbers later in the crop season. This problem of late aphid control is made worse because the effectiveness of foliar treatment also declines. At present, as the use of action thresholds does not seem feasible, it is suggested that improvements should be sought in more effective techniques of granular or foliar application.     

干旱胁迫及复水下朱槿生长及根际土壤微生物多样性的变化特征

以朱槿品种‘紫牡丹’为试验材料,采用盆栽试验,研究了苗期重度干旱胁迫及复水对其根系生理特性的影响,并运用高通量测序技术分析干旱胁迫及复水下朱槿根际土壤微生物多样性的变化特征。结果显示：与正常处理（CK）相比,重度干旱胁迫及复水处理（T2）的总根长、根表面积及根尖数等根系生长指标呈现显著减少的结果,但与重度干旱胁迫（T1）处理相比,均显著增加。通过对朱槿根际土壤样品中细菌群落结构的研究发现,属分类水平上,厌氧绳菌属（Anaerolineaceae）,酸杆菌属（Acidobacteria）、酸微菌属（Acidimicrobiales）、幽门螺杆菌属（Sphaerobacter）、链霉菌属（Streptomyces）等是不同处理土壤样品中的优势菌群。T1处理下的嗜青霉属（Algiphilus）、奥利螺旋菌属（Aureispira）、绿线菌属（Chloronema）、扁棒壳属（Acrospermum）为不同处理下的特殊细菌。真菌方面,属的分类水平上发现,粪壳菌属（Sordariale）、散囊菌属（Eurotiales）、拟青霉属（Pseudallescheria）、格孢腔菌属（Pleosporales）、枝孢霉属（Cladosporium）等是不同处理土壤样品中的优势菌群;T1和T2处理下的样品中,侧角藻属（Goniomonas）、齿盘菌属（Lamprospora）和索罗迪夫斯菌属（Sorodiplophrys）为不同处理下的特殊真菌属。其中,有促生作用的细菌如酸微菌属( Acidimicrobium)、厌氧绳菌属（Anaerolineaceae）嗜青霉属（Algiphilus）以及具有一定生防作用真菌如拟青霉属（Pseudallescheria）、枝孢霉属（Cladosporium）等均可以合理的应用在农业生产中,为植物的抗干旱胁迫以及提高朱槿在干旱胁迫下的水分利用做出贡献。     

Use of two PGPR strains in the integrated management of blast disease in rice (Oryza sativa) in Southern Spain

Biocontrol capacity of two plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains, against blast disease in rice paddy fields in Southern Spain was studied in three cropping seasons. Both strains (Pseudomonas fluorescens Aur 6 and Chryseobacterium balustinum Aur 9) had already shown biocontrol capacity against pathogens, ability to induce systemic resistance against leaf pathogens and against salt stress in different plant species. Bacterial treatments were carried out on seeds and/or on leaves. Strains were inoculated individually and in combination. Protection against natural disease incidence was evaluated, and rice production and quality measured in 2005 and 2006 trials. In 2004, natural disease incidence was low (between 0.1% and 0.35% of damaged leaf surface) due to environmental conditions; under these conditions, both strains significantly protected plants against rice blast. In 2005, disease incidence was higher than in 2004, reaching higher values of affected leaf surface in controls. In these conditions, each strain individually protected rice against rice blast, although the combination of both strains was the most effective treatment. All three treatments (Aur 6, Aur 9 and Aur 6 + Aur 9) reached 50% protection in panicles, with Aur 9 being the most effective. In 2006, the most effective treatment was the combination of both strains on leaves in three physiological stages, suggesting a biocontrol mediated protection. On the other hand, when bacteria were applied to seeds, disease incidence decreased up to 50%, suggesting induction of systemic resistance. Finally, a direct relation between protection mediated by the PGPR and the increase in rice productivity (mT/ha) and quality (weight of 1000 seeds and number of intact grains after milling) was found.     

海鲜菇渣复合基质对黄瓜生长、果实品质和产量的影响

以津福99号黄瓜为供试材料,选用海鲜菇渣、珍珠岩、蛭石、树皮为栽培基质,在薄膜温室内,研究10种不同基质配比对黄瓜生长的影响。结果表明,利用海鲜菇渣进行黄瓜栽培在生产上完全可行,随着海鲜菇渣使用比例的增加,黄瓜栽培效果呈现下降趋势,且与珍珠岩搭配效果优于树皮基质。综合考虑黄瓜的生长指标、果实产量、果实品质以及基质成本的多方面指标,得出海鲜菇渣在黄瓜栽培应用上最佳的使用比例为33%,海鲜菇渣∶珍珠岩∶蛭石=1∶1∶1为黄瓜栽培的最佳复合基质配方。将海鲜菇渣作为基质进行开发,不仅能够解决目前大量堆积造成的环境污染,还能够降低基质成本,实现农业的可持续发展。     

Effects of propylene oxide doses on Cyperus and Belonolaimus control and nutrient absorption in tomato

Among the current methyl bromide alternatives under study, propylene oxide has shown potential to control soilborne diseases, nematodes, and weeds in polyethylene-mulched tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Therefore, field trials were conducted to determine the most effective propylene oxide doses against populations for the nematode Belonolaimus spp. and the weed Cyperus spp. and their effect on nutrient uptake. Propylene oxide doses were 0, 190, 380, 570, 760, and 950 L/ha. Data indicated that populations of Belonolaimus and Cyperus rapidly decreased with 570 L/ha of propylene oxide. Propylene oxide doses also affected foliar concentrations of phosphorus and potassium. There was a linear increase of phosphorus concentration as dose increased, whereas potassium concentration increased rapidly after 190 L/ha of propylene oxide. The highest tomato yields were obtained with application of 760 and 950 L/ha of propylene oxide.     

Impact of preharvest application of biological control agents on postharvest diseases of fresh fruits and vegetables

During the storage of harvested commodities, environmental parameters are quite stable. For this and other reasons, it is generally believed that biological control by means of microbial antagonists may have a greater potential for success when applied postharvest. However, one of the major obstacles to the development of postharvest biocontrol agents is that they are unable to control previously established infections, such as latent and quiescent infections and incipient infections occurring through wounds resulting from harvesting operations. Field application of biocontrol agents may enable early colonisation of fruit surfaces, thus protecting from these infections. Moreover, preharvest applications can be an appropriate strategy for fruits and vegetables subject to damage in postharvest handling. To be successful in preharvest applications, putative biocontrol agents must be able to tolerate low-nutrient availability, UV radiation, high temperature and dry conditions. Some reports of postharvest biological control accomplished by preharvest applications, include apples, avocados, sweet cherries, grapes, and strawberries. This paper provides a brief overview on particular aspects of preharvest application of biocontrol agents to reduce postharvest decay. Research areas relevant for the development of this strategy are also indicated.     

Reflective mulches for management of aphids and aphid-borne virus diseases in late-season cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis)

A complex of aphids and several mosaic virus diseases can cause major losses in cucurbitaceous crops grown in the inland valleys of California. Three field experiments were conducted to test and compare the effectiveness of reflective polyethylene and biodegradable, synthetic latex spray mulches for management of aphids and aphid-borne virus diseases of late-season cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis cv. Primo) in the San Joaquin Valley. Beneficial responses were obtained from the reflective mulches, under conditions of high aphid populations and virus inoculum potential, during each of the experiments. Aphid numbers on leaves of plants growing over mulches were consistently lower than on those growing over bare soil. Onset of symptoms of cucumber mosaic cucumovirus, and watermelon mosaic and zucchini yellow mosaic potyviruses, were delayed 3–6 weeks in plants growing over the mulches, which was critical for initiation of normal flowering and fruiting. High virus disease incidence (100% incidence of foliar symptoms) reduced cumulative, marketable melon yields (number of fruit, fresh weight, and size) in the control plots to near zero in two of the three experiments. In each of the experiments, polyethylene or spray mulch treatments which completely covered each planting bed provided at least 9.5- and 2.5-fold increases in marketable yield, respectively. In the first two experiments, reflective mulches would have provided the difference between salable crops and total crop loss. Partial bed coverage with spray mulch, and alternate row applications of polyethylene film mulches, were less effective than complete coverage of every planted row.     

Comparison of clofentezine and hyxythiazox with cyhexatin for integrated control of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch)

The ovicides clofentezine and hexythiazox were shown to be compatible with integrated control of European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), in a replicated field trial conducted over two growing seasons in an apple orchard at Batlow, New South Wales, Australia. Reduced concentrations of clofentezine (5 and 10 g a.i. per 100 litres water—normally 20 g) applied as foliar sprays to run-off, stabilized the predator/prey interaction between P. ulmi and Typhlodromus pyri Scheuten more effectively than low rates of cyhexatin (5 and 10 g a.i. per 100 litres water—normally 20 g). There was no evidence that the effectiveness of clofentezine or hexythiazox would destablize integrated control by eliminating P. ulmi and starving T. pyri. Populations of T. pyri persisted in low numbers on the trees in the absence of P. ulmi or other arthropod food sources on leaves.     

玉米土传病害生物防治的研究进展

土传病害是威胁玉米生产的一类重要病害,其中茎基腐病、丝黑穗病和纹枯病发生尤为严重。由于土传病菌能在土壤中存活多年,给防治带来了较大困难。选育抗病品种和种衣剂包衣是目前防治土传病害的主要手段。由于生物防治具有对环境和人畜安全、不易产生抗药性等优点,日益引起人们的重视,将成为玉米土传病害无公害防治的重要措施。对玉米土传病害的化学与生物防治以及生物型种衣剂的研究进展进行了评述。     

橡胶树炭疽病生防内生菌的分离鉴定及抑菌作用研究

目前化学农药的缺点日益突显,研发环保的生防菌剂是当前绿色安全的一种方法,筛选具有抑制橡胶树炭疽病的生防菌株,为研发新型生防菌剂储备资源。本文采用组织培养法分离纯化橡胶树内生菌,平板对峙筛选拮抗菌株;通过菌株培养特征、生理生化、根据16S rRNA和gyrA基因序列构建系统发育树确定其分类地位;采用平板对峙法研究内生菌株的抗菌持久性、稳定性、广谱性;采用牛津杯法研究拮抗内生菌对杀菌剂的敏感性。从橡胶树健康的根组织中分离得到4株对橡胶树炭疽病具有抑制作用的细菌（Bac RZS3D4-1、Bac RZS3D4-2、Bac RZS3D4-3、Bac RZS3D4-4）,系统发育树分析结果显示这4株细菌与解淀粉芽孢杆菌（Bacillus amyloliquefaciens）亲缘关系很近,且培养性状和生理生化特征也与解淀粉芽孢杆菌相似。这4株内生菌的抗菌持久性强,抗菌稳定性好;对尖孢炭疽菌（Colletotrichum acutatum）DFMP1E和MLZZP3、小孢拟盘多毛孢（Pestalotiopsis microspora）MF375898均有较强的抑菌能力,对茄类镰刀菌（Fusarium solani）XJ160901的抑制作用较弱;对多菌灵、异菌脲、百菌清、苯醚甲环唑4种杀菌剂均不敏感,有望开发为生防菌剂。