Compatible Biological and Chemical Control Systems for Rhizoctonia solani in Potato

A series of chemical and biological control agents were tested for compatibility with the Rhizoctonia-specific biocontrol fungus Verticillium biguttatum aimed at designing novel control strategies for black scurf (Rhizoctonia solani) and other tuber diseases in potato. The efficacy of chemicals, alone and in combination with V. biguttatum was tested in in vitro assays on nutrient agar plates, in bio-assays with minitubers and in the field. Generally, there were both antagonistic, neutral and additive interactions with V. biguttatum among the combinations tested; there were no indications for synergistic interactions. Broad-spectrum fungicides (azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, thiabendazole) were fungitoxic to V. biguttatum as shown in in vitro assays, and hampered black scurf control by V. biguttatum in bio-assays. Oomycete-specific chemicals (cymoxanil and propamocarb) and various biocontrol strains (Gliocladium spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Trichoderma spp.) did not interfere with the growth of V. biguttatum on agar nutrient plates and did not affect black scurf control by V. biguttatum in co-applied treatments in the minituber bio-assay. Rhizoctonia-specific (pencycuron, flutalonil) fungicides co-applied with V. biguttatum showed additive effects on black scurf control. When combinations of V. biguttatum and cymoxanil or propamocarb were applied to immature potato tubers at green crop lifting, a reduction of both black scurf and Pythium- or Phytophthora-incited tuber rot was observed at harvest. In conclusion, the biocontrol fungus V. biguttatum is compatible with selected chemical control systems and may improve control efficacy in combination with Rhizoctonia-specific fungicides or may extend control spectrum in combination with Oomycete-specific fungicides.     

Gummy stem blight of balsam pear caused by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Didymella bryoniae</Emphasis> and its anamorph <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phoma cucurbitacearum</Emphasis>

Gummy stem blight of balsam pear found in the Kanto district and in the Hokkaido Prefecture was demonstrated to be caused by Didymella bryoniae (Auerswald) Rehm based on inoculation experiments, molecular analysis, and morphological identification of the pathogenic fungus. This fungus was also pathogenic to related plants belonging to Cucurbitaceae. The imperfect stage of the fungus was identified as Phoma cucurbitacearum (Fr.: Fr.) Sacc. based on morphological similarities.     

Differential Control of Head Blight Pathogens of Wheat by Fungicides and Consequences for Mycotoxin Contamination of Grain

Fusarium head blight of wheat is caused by a disease complex comprised of toxigenic pathogens, predominantly Fusarium spp., and a non-toxigenic pathogen Microdochium nivale, which causes symptoms visually indistinguishable from Fusarium and is often included as a causal agent of Fusarium head blight. Four field trials are reported here, including both naturally and artificially inoculated trials in which the effect of fungicide treatments were noted on colonisation by Fusarium and Microdochium, and on the production of deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxin. The pathogen populations were analysed with quantitative PCR and samples were tested for the presence of the mycotoxin DON. Application of fungicides to reduce Fusarium head blight gave a differential control of these fungi. Tebuconazole selectively controlled F. culmorum and F. avenaceum and reduced levels of DON, but showed little control of M. nivale. Application of azoxystrobin, however, selectively controlled M. nivale and allowed greater colonisation by toxigenic Fusarium species. This treatment also lead to increased levels of DON detected. nobreak Azoxystrobin application two days post-inoculation increased the production of DON mycotoxin per unit of pathogen in an artificially inoculated field trial. This result indicates the potential risk of increased DON contamination of grain following treatment with azoxystrobin to control head blight in susceptible wheat cultivars. This is the first study to show differential fungicidal control of mixed natural pathogen populations and artificial inoculations in field trials.     

西瓜蔓枯病菌啶酰菌胺抗性突变体的生物学特性研究及其Sdh B基因位点检测

为评价西瓜蔓枯病菌对啶酰菌胺的抗性风险,了解其抗性机理,室内通过药剂驯化方法获得2株啶酰菌胺的抗性突变体XF21-3和YC60-1,测定了抗性突变体的生物学特性,并通过对Sdh B基因片段的测序比对,分析了西瓜蔓枯病菌对啶酰菌胺的抗性机理。生物测定结果表明:啶酰菌胺对2株抗性突变体的EC50值分别为108和124 μg/mL,抗性倍数（RR）分别为1 007和1 347,均为高抗菌株;抗性突变体的菌丝生长速率和产孢量均大于亲本菌株,但其致病性与亲本菌株无显著差异,对外界环境渗透压的敏感性低于亲本菌株;此外,啶酰菌胺与萎锈灵、戊唑醇、乙霉威及醚菌酯之间均不存在交互抗性,但与噻呋酰胺之间存在交互抗性。Sdh B基因片段测序及比对结果表明,高抗性突变体中Sdh B亚基277位上的氨基酸所对应的碱基由CAC突变为TAC,即由组氨酸（His）突变为酪氨酸（Tyr）。研究表明,西瓜蔓枯病菌在药剂选择压力下容易形成啶酰菌胺的抗性群体,且抗性突变体的离体适合度高于亲本菌株,此外,啶酰菌胺与同类型杀菌剂噻呋酰胺之间存在交互抗性,因此认为西瓜蔓枯病菌对啶酰菌胺具有中等抗性风险;同时进一步验证了Sdh B亚基277位上的氨基酸突变（His→Tyr,CAC→TAC）是西瓜蔓枯病菌对啶酰菌胺产生抗性的原因。     

Polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein activity in cantaloupe fruit as a function of fruit maturation and tissue origin

Netted cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis cv. Magnum 45) were harvested from 5 to 35 days postanthesis. The fruit of each age group were divided into exocarp, outer mesocarp, mid mesocarp, inner mesocarp, placenta, and seed. Each tissue was extracted and assayed for polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP) activity against polygalacturonases (PGs) from three fungal pathogens of cantaloupe fruit. The PGIP activity of all tissues except placenta was high from the flower stage through the first week of fruit development but decreased markedly between 5 and 10 days postanthesis. PGIP activity against Phomopsis cucurbitae PG remained high and nearly constant in placental tissue throughout fruit development. However in this same tissue, PGIP activity against Fusarium solani PG decreased during fruit development to about 25% of its level in the 5-day-old fruit. This differential change in PGIP activity toward the two PGs suggests that different forms of the inhibitor are expressed between early and late stages of cantaloupe fruit development. The results also illustrate the importance of using multiple pathogen enzyme systems that can provide an opportunity for more accurate elucidation of mechanisms involved in the host–pathogen interaction. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture. All programs and services of the US Department of Agriculture are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap. The article cited was prepared by a USDA employee as part of his/her official duties. Copyright protection under US copyright law is not available for such works. Accordingly, there is no copyright to transfer. The fact that the private publication in which the article appears is itself copyrighted does not affect the material of the US Government, which can be freely reproduced by the public.     

Strategies for the Control of Fusarium Head Blight in Cereals

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a widespread and destructive disease of small grained cereals caused by a number of Fusarium species and Microdochium nivale. In addition to causing significant reductions in grain yield, FHB can result in the reduction of grain quality, either by affecting grain processing qualities or by producing a range of toxic metabolites that have adverse effects on humans and livestock. Control of FHB can be achieved by a number of cultural, biological and chemical strategies along with the exploitation of host plant resistance. In recent years, much of the research undertaken for the control of FHB has been concentrated on understanding and exploiting the genetic resistance of cereal plants to FHB-causing pathogens. Although, a brief overview of genetic resistance is presented, this review seeks to summarise the significance of FHB and review the effectiveness of cultural, biological and chemical control strategies that have been investigated for the control the disease.     

烟嘧磺隆降解菌株的筛选及其降解特性初探

为得到烟嘧磺隆的高效降解菌株,并了解其降解特性,从烟嘧磺隆生产厂家污水处理池中筛选得到1株可高效降解烟嘧磺隆的菌株ND1,经形态学观察及生理生化、16S rDNA鉴定,该菌株为枯草芽孢杆菌Bacillus subtilis。在30℃、150 r/min条件下,该菌株3 d内可将200 mg/L的烟嘧磺隆降解98%以上;进一步通过高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪(HPLC-MS/MS)检测其降解产物,发现该菌株可作用于烟嘧磺隆的磺酰脲键,使其桥键发生断裂而产生降解产物2-氨基-4,6-二甲氧基嘧啶和磺酰胺。     

Biological control of the leafminer Liriomyza bryoniae by seasonal inoculative releases of Diglyphus isaea: simulation of a parasitoid-host system

A deterministic model was developed to simulate population growth of the agromyzid flyLiriomyza bryoniae and the parasitoidDiglyphus isaea. The model has two driving variables, ambient temperature and leaf nitrogen content of the tomato plant. Results of a glasshouse experiment were used to validate the model. The timing of successive generations of leafminers was simulated accurately over four generations. Population growth of leafminers was correctly simulated during the first two generations, but overestimated in the third generation. Mortality of leafminers due to parasitism was overestimated in the first generation after introduction of parasitoids: 73% instead of the observed 30%. A nearly 100% mortality of leafminers was correctly simulated in the second generation after introduction of parasitoids. Sensitivity analysis was performed for three types of variables: (1) driving variables, temperature and leaf nitrogen content; (2) parasitoid traits, searching efficiency and allocation of attacks to host feeding and oviposition, and (3) introduction strategies for biological control, timing, number of releases and number of parasitoids per release. Population growth was sensitive to temperature, leaf nitrogen content, searching efficiency of parasitoids and numbers of parasitoids released.     

Greenhouse trials of newBacillus thuringiensis isolates for control ofChilo partellus larvae in sorghum

Eight newBacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) isolates originally recovered from different source materials and geographic locations in Kenya were tested againstChilo partellus (Swinhoe) on sorghum grown in a greenhouse. All isolates had been demonstrated previously to be toxic to this pest.Bt strains were cultured in a liquid growth medium and preserved as powders for experimental application. Three-week-old sorghum plants (4-6 leaves) were artificially infested with 20 neonateC. partellus and sprayed 24 h later withBt suspensions. Non-infested sorghum and infested non-treated sorghum served as the comparative checks within each experimental trial. Plant development and dead-heart formation were monitored up to harvest; at harvest, grain yield was recorded. In each replicate trial, all of theBt strains tested reduced plant damage consistently, compared with the infested, non-treated checks. Dead-heart formation was significantly reduced and grain yields were significantly higher. Three novel isolates, A-3, A-C-2 and M44-2, provided superior levels of protection throughout. Statistically, there was no difference among these threeBt treatments and the non-infested check in terms of the number of dead-hearts (i.e., non-yielding plants) that formed during the course of the experiment. In the infested, non-treated check plots, dead-hearts developed in 74.5±10.0% of the plants, compared with only 3.1±1.2% of the non-infested plants, and 3.1 ±1.5%, 6.2±2.0% and 6.2±2.0% of the plants treated with M44-2, A-3 and A-C-2, respectively. At harvest, the weight of grain obtained from the non-infested control plots was considered to be 100% of the potential yield for each experimental replicate. In the infested, non-treated controls, only 14±5.6% of the potential yield was realized. When isolates M44-2, A-3 and A-C-2 were applied, proportionate yields of 83±5.4%, 93±2.3% and 98±1.2%, respectively, were obtained. Results showed that theBt strains selected may have a strategic role to play in the management ofC. partellus, providing applications are timed to target young larvae feeding in the leaf whorl.     

拮抗菌株xj063-1发酵条件的优化及室内防效测定

为探讨菌株xj063-1的最优发酵条件,以菌体生物量和对病原菌的抑制率为指标,采用单因素方法对菌株的发酵条件进行优化,并将优化的发酵液在离体枣果上进行防效测定。结果表明,当装液量为50 m L时,拮抗菌株生物量OD600为1.987,对病原菌的抑制率为67.1%;接种量为装液量体积的4%时,生物量OD600为1.573,对病原菌的抑制率为59.7%;初始p H 7.0时,其OD600为1.905,对病原菌的抑制率为65.6%;温度在30℃、转速180 r/min时,OD600分别为1.969和1.982,对病原菌的抑制率分别为62.2%和61.2%。拮抗菌株优化后的发酵液通过预防法处理后的枣果的病斑面积为4 mm2,对照发病面积为121 mm2,抑制率为96.7%;通过治疗法处理后的枣果的病斑面积为12.25 mm2,抑制率为89.9%,表明菌株xj063-1具有较好的生防潜力。     

利用表型芯片技术筛选利于枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis BAB-1生长与芽胞形成的营养物质

为获得枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis BAB-1菌株的芽胞高效率生产技术,采用Biolog微生物细胞表型芯片(phenotype microarray,PM)技术分析了适合该菌株细胞生长的营养物质、渗透压和pH等生长环境条件;通过单因素试验分析了5种碳源及5种氮源对该菌株生长及芽胞形成的影响。结果表明,BAB-1菌株能够利用114种碳源、228种氮源、29种磷源及29种硫源作为其营养物质,其中52种碳源、66种氮源、3种硫源及1种磷源能够明显促进该菌株的细胞生长;BAB-1菌株对渗透压的忍受能力较强,在1%～10%氯化钠、3%～6%氯化钾、2%～5%硫酸钠、5%～20%乙二醇、1%～6%甲酸钠、2%～7%尿素、1%～12%乳酸钠、20～200 mmol/L磷酸钠、10～100 mmol/L硝酸钠、10～100 mmol/L硫酸铵中均能较好的生长;BAB-1菌株对pH的耐受范围较广,在4.5≤pH≤10.0条件下均能够生长。葡萄糖与氯化铵分别是最适宜BAB-1菌株生长的碳源与氮源,在不同培养时间其菌体总量均最高,48 h时该菌株的菌体总量分别达到6.90×10~8CFU/mL与6.87×10~8CFU/mL;培养12 h时,D-木糖、D-核糖、L-阿拉伯糖及熊果苷能够显著提高BAB-1菌株的芽胞形成率,其中L-阿拉伯糖与熊果苷的芽胞形成率较高,分别为61.94%与66.92%;培养12～36 h,L-脯氨酸、L-谷氨酰胺及L-天冬酰胺能够显著提高BAB-1菌株的芽胞形成率,芽胞形成率介于27.88%～82.37%之间。表明表型芯片技术可以应用于枯草芽胞杆菌生长及芽胞形成营养物质的高通量分析及培养工艺的优化中。     

枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂的制备及其对番茄立枯病的防治效果

为开发环境相容性好、贮藏稳定性高的生物农药新剂型,采用喷雾干燥法制备了枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂。通过单因素试验确定该微囊剂壁材麦芽糊精与芯材枯草芽孢杆菌发酵液(以下简称发酵液)的最佳配比;通过正交试验优化了喷雾干燥条件;通过田间试验验证了该微囊剂对番茄立枯病的防治效果。结果表明:制备枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂时,壁材与芯材的最佳配比为m(麦芽糊精)∶V(发酵液)=1∶1;喷雾干燥的最优条件为进风温度125℃,进样流量750 m L/h,喷雾压力0.20 M Pa;所制备微囊剂常温贮存360 d后,菌体存活率仍高达91.36%,显著高于对照枯草芽孢杆菌可湿性粉剂。田间药效试验表明,该枯草芽孢杆菌微囊剂用量为300 g/hm2(芽孢浓度为1.5×107cfu/m2)时,对番茄立枯病的防效最高,为72.76%。     

群体感应调控因子ComA对枯草芽胞杆菌NCD-2抑菌物质产生和生物膜形成的影响

为明确群体感应系统在枯草芽胞杆菌NCD-2菌株抑菌活性和生物膜形成中的作用,通过同源重组技术对群体感应系统中的comA基因进行定位缺失突变,分别比较了NCD-2菌株和comA基因突变子在胞外酶合成、抑菌活性、脂肽抗生素(丰产素)产生以及生物膜形成上的差异,并进一步利用实时荧光定量RT-PCR技术比较了二者生物膜基质编码基因epsA和tasA的表达情况。结果表明,通过同源重组技术获得了comA基因突变子MA-4,同菌株NCD-2相比,其在胞外蛋白酶和纤维素酶的合成能力、对番茄灰霉菌Botrytis cinerea的抑菌活性、丰产素的合成量和生物膜的形成能力上均明显下降;生物膜基质编码基因tasA的表达量下降了70%,而epsA的表达量变化不明显。表明ComA是NCD-2菌株脂肽抗生素和生物膜形成中的重要调控因子。     

Comparison of Physical, Chemical and Biological Methods of Controlling Garlic White Rot

Treatment of garlic cloves with tebuconazole (at 1ml of Folicur 25% l^–1) achieved a significant reduction in the rate of disease progress and the final incidence of plant death by Sclerotium cepivorum: garlic yields were improved. Although soil solarization provided the best control of garlic white rot, bringing soil populations of S. cepivorum to negligible levels, similar levels of disease control and garlic yields were achieved when tebuconazole was sprayed to stem bases of plants grown from cloves also treated with tebuconazole. This double treatment almost doubled the yield compared with untreated plants and significantly increased bulb quality under high disease pressure conditions. Soil solarization was also highly effective in a second consecutive crop of garlic, with significant improvements in yield and garlic quality. In contrast, lower levels of disease control were obtained when selected isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and Bacillus subtilis were applied to the soil and cloves respectively.     

蔬菜细菌性软腐病防治药剂活体组织筛选技术

为探索快速、高效的蔬菜细菌性软腐病防治药剂的筛选技术,采用多因素分析法对茎段材料、接种方式、菌液浓度等因素进行筛选,建立芹菜茎段筛选技术,并采用所建立的筛选法评价28种枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis可湿性粉剂对细菌性软腐病菌的杀菌活性。结果表明,建立的芹菜茎段筛选法可较好地评价细菌性软腐病防治药剂的药效,即芹菜茎段一端在细菌性软腐菌液中浸泡20 min后自然风干,再于待测药剂中浸泡处理1 h,在温度26~30℃、相对湿度70%~85%条件下保湿培养36 h后调查发病指数。采用该方法可快速从23种新型枯草芽胞杆菌可湿性粉剂中筛选出对细菌性软腐病具有较高防效的IVF001、IVF002、IVF004、IVF015、IVF018、IVF021、IVF035、IVF041制剂,防效分别为81.70%、94.77%、83.01%、92.16%、84.31%、96.08%、80.39%和89.55%。芹菜茎段筛选法及室内盆栽法对5种已登记的枯草芽胞杆菌可湿性粉剂的筛选结果显著相关,相关系数为0.878。表明芹菜茎段筛选法可以有效代替盆栽筛选法,并对杀菌剂的药效进行评价,是一种实用性强的蔬菜细菌性软腐病防治药剂筛选方法。     

Lipid metabolism in tomato and bean as a sensitive monitor for biocontrol of wilt diseases

The lipids metabolism of tomato and bean plants during biological control of wilt pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.lycopersici andF. oxysporum f.sp.phaseoli, respectively) byBacillus subtilis was investigated. The interaction of wilt pathogens with both tomato and bean caused an imbalance and drastic reduction in total lipids, triacylglycerol, sterol and all phospholipd fractions except phosphatidic acid. The application of a formulated biocontrol agent,B. subtilis, eliminated the detrimental effect of both wilt pathogens and consequently prevented catabolism of lipid fractions in both tomato and bean. Moreover, the changes in the lipid fractions as a sensitive monitor for biocontrol of wilt diseases suggest a positive correlation between the application ofB. subtilis and improvement in the host metabolism towards anabolism. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting Sept. 20, 2006.     

Development of Strain-specific Primers for a Strain of Gliocladium catenulatum Used in Biological Control

The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to develop strain-specific primers for Gliocladium catenulatum strain J1446, which is promising in biological control. One of the primer pairs developed proved to be strain-specific; strain J1446 was differentiated from 16 G. catenulatum strains and six other strains of two Gliocladium species, as well as from Trichoderma virens, and isolates of Nectria spp. and Fusarium spp. Specific primers were also tested with DNA isolated from cucumber leaves, treated or untreated with a solution made from Gliocladium powder. The expected amplification product was produced only from treated leaves. DNA isolated from Gliocladium-treated potato tubers and fungi grown in peat was also used in amplification reactions. Strain-specific primers detected strain J1446 when the amount of DNA was 5pg or more. Some variation between the Gliocladium strains was found by the random amplified microsatellites method (RAMS) and the universally primed polymerase chain reaction method (UP-PCR), but no clear fragments specific to strain J1446 were produced. Cross-blot hybridisation of UP-PCR products differentiated strain J1446 from T. virens, but not from the Gliocladium isolates. The 28S rDNA sequences and -tubulin sequences were identical or very similar in all Gliocladium strains. Thus, it is possible that the Gliocladium strains of the present study are conspecific, which means that a revision in the taxonomy of Gliocladium species may be necessary.     

嗜酸性PGPR菌株CLB-17的筛选、鉴定及其对烟草青枯病菌的生防活性

为提高生防菌在酸性土壤中对烟草青枯病的生防效果,采用室内酸性平板快速筛选法从烟草根际土壤中筛选嗜酸性拮抗细菌,应用Biolog GENⅢ自动微生物鉴定系统结合16S rDNA序列分析进行种类鉴定,并采用室内琼脂扩散法在pH 5.5和pH 7.0培养条件下比较其对烟草青枯病菌Ralstonia solanacearum的抑制活性,通过盆栽试验测定其对烟草青枯病的防效及对烟草的促生作用,通过测定胞外酶活性和铁载体含量分析其生防特性。结果表明:从烟草根际土壤中筛选获得1株具有高拮抗活性的嗜酸性细菌,命名为CLB-17,并将其鉴定为枯草芽胞杆菌Bacillus subtilis。在pH 5.5条件下,菌株CLB-17的拮抗活性最强,其发酵液对烟草青枯病菌的抑菌带宽度为7.11 mm,而在pH 7.0条件下抑菌带宽度为6.37 mm;在pH 5.5条件下,CLB-17菌株的铁载体相对含量(2.12)及蛋白酶活性(40.12 U/mL)、葡聚糖酶活性(142.52 U/mL)和酸性磷酸酯酶活性(6.42 U/mL)均高于pH 7.0条件下各指标(1.51、36.14 U/mL、110.24 U/mL和6.11 U/mL);该菌株在pH 5.5条件下对烟草青枯病的防效为76.99%,高于在pH 7.0条件下的防效66.18%;且烟草株高、整株干重、根干重和叶绿素含量均显著高于pH 7.0处理和空白对照。表明枯草芽胞杆菌CLB-17在酸性条件下的生防活性高,在酸性土壤中对烟草青枯病的生防效果更好,且对烟草生长具有促进作用。     

枯草芽胞杆菌与氟环唑联用对禾谷镰孢霉的增效作用机制

为验证枯草芽胞杆菌与氟环唑联用对禾谷镰孢霉的增效作用,用平板倒扣法和固体平板扩散法—打孔法测定菌药联用后枯草芽胞杆菌挥发性物质、抗真菌蛋白对禾谷镰孢霉的抑菌活性,观察抗真菌蛋白对禾谷镰孢霉菌丝形态的影响,并用刚果红染色法测定菌药联用后枯草芽胞杆菌纤维素酶活性。结果表明:菌药联用对禾谷镰孢霉的最高抑菌活性可达74.44%,表现增效和持效作用;枯草芽胞杆菌挥发性物质和抗真菌蛋白分别与氟环唑联用均可增强禾谷镰孢霉抑菌活性;菌药联用后枯草芽胞杆菌纤维素酶活性提高。研究表明枯草芽胞杆菌与氟环唑联用的增效机制是增强枯草芽胞杆菌挥发性物质对禾谷镰孢霉的抑菌活性,抗真菌蛋白活性的提高加强了禾谷镰孢霉菌丝溶解的程度,纤维素酶活性的增强提高了禾谷镰孢霉空间竞争作用和生物防治潜能。     

Evaluation of biocontrol preparations and plant extracts for the control of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phytophthora infestans</Emphasis> on potato leaves

The potential of biocontrol products and plant extracts for control of late blight on potato plants, caused by Phytophthora infestans was evaluated in detached leaf assays and on potted plants. Based on an initial screening of 22 preparations and plant extracts, the 10 most active treatments were selected for further investigation. In the detached leaf assays the commercial preparations Elot-Vis, Serenade and Trichodex, and plant extracts of Rheum rhabarbarum and Solidago canadensis showed a significant effect on the level of infestation by P. infestans. However, none of the treatments was as effective as copper. In the case of Serenade, the metabolites produced by its active micro-organism, Bacillus subtilis, were demonstrated to be the effective component of the formulation, and not the micro-organism itself. In order to take curative and protective modes of action into account, the test substances were applied 24 h before, or 90 min after inoculation with P. infestans. Generally, better effects were obtained when the applications were made 24 h before inoculation. For defining the optimum time of application, potted plants were treated 72 or 24 h before, and 1 and 24 h after inoculation with P. infestans. In these tests, Trichodex showed no activity, while Elot-Vis gave best results when applied 1 day before inoculation. Serenade and the extracts of R. rhabarbarum and S. canadensis (all at 5% concentration) however, were effective when applied up to 3 days before and just after inoculation with P. infestans. The results of the experiments on potted plants indicated direct effects on the pathogen for all agents except the extract of S. canadensis, but other mode of actions, e.g. induced resistance, could not be ruled out. None of the treatments had a curative effect.