Selection of biological control agents for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases in the field

Different screening methods for selection of biological control agents (BCAs), for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases, are discussed. The shortcomings of laboratory methods focused on mechanism of action are discussed and we conclude that these methods should be used with caution if candidates with multifactorial or plant mediated mechanisms of control are to be obtained. In vitro screens may be useful for specific groups of microorganisms, thus, screens for antibiotics may be relevant for Streptomyces spp., and promising results have been obtained using soil plating or precolonized agar methods to screen for mycoparasitism and competitive saprophytic ability. Experience with screening in the Nordic programme Biological control of seed borne diseases in cereals is summarized. Research in the four participating countries – Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark – followed the same paradigm: that of obtaining antagonists, well adapted to different Nordic environments, and developing them as effective BCAs. Potential antagonists were isolated from different sources and in planta screening methods were developed in order to optimize selection of antagonists effective against a range of seed borne pathogens. Screens in the laboratory or greenhouse were followed by screening in the field. The different screening procedures are compared and evaluated.     

Controlled release of naphthalene: a repellent against oviposition of the cabbage root fly,Delia brassicae

In the years between 1890 and 1950 the use of tarred felt discs and naphthalene flakes enabled cabbage growers to controlD. brassicae in a for that time satisfactory way. Resistance- and residue problems with insecticides and the recent development of controlled release compounds resulted in a new approach of the use of insecticides and particularly of volatiles influencing behaviour. In field experiments dispersions of polymers loaded with the repellents tar and naphthalene were sprayed around the stem base of cauliflower plants and the effect of clay slurry discs mixed with these repellents was also studied. The degree of control was assessed by weekly stand scoring and by estimation of the root damage index. In a second series of field trials the results of the polymer dispersion discs mentioned were compared to those obtained by applying three component granules (a polymer, a copolymer and 30% naphthalene) or sprayed discs of a similar composition. Untreated and trichloronatetreated plants were used as a standard. Some of the naphthalene compounds almost equalled the effect of trichloronate on the development and size of the plants. The root damage indices, however, showed less favourable figures although their level was far below that of the untreated plants. Adaptation of the controlled release polymer compositions to particular field situations (pH, soil type) in the future may lead to a further improvement of the results.     

Application of Pseudomonas fluorescens isolates to wheat as potential biological control agents against take-all

Two isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens (2–79 and 13–79) from the USA were evaluated in the UK as biological control agents against Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici , the cause of take-all in wheat. Biological control agents were applied as seed coatings in carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to seven wheat trials sown in 1987 and 1988 on fen peat and clay soils, and as peat-based and microgranule formulations in one of these trials. In a trial of spring wheat on fen peat, all treatments with biological control agents reduced the percentage take-all infection of crown roots and seminal roots, but the effects of only one isolate were statistically significant ( P <0·05). Effects of biological control agents on infection rates in five other trials were not significant. In the trial in which application methods were compared, peat-based inoculum initially appeared most effective but none of the treatments reduced take-all significantly throughout the season. Application of biological control agents was associated with yield increases in several trials; these were not consistently associated with effects on take-all. These results suggest that the isolates of P. fluorescens have potential to reduce take-all and increase yields of wheat in the UK, but the beneficial effects are inconsistent. There is a need to develop isolates which reliably control severe take-all in a variety of soil types.     

防治白菜根肿病的药剂筛选

分别采用拌药法和灌药法,比较了10种供试药剂对白菜根肿病的温室防治效果,并对盆栽试验防效较好的3种药剂进行了田间药效试验。结果表明,在温室条件下,50%氟啶胺悬浮剂(1 g/m3)、50%甲基硫菌灵可湿性粉剂(25 g/m3)、70%代森锰锌可湿性粉剂(35 g/m3)和40%五氯硝基苯粉剂(20 g/m3)的拌药处理,对白菜根肿病的防效均在50%以上,显著优于灌药处理的防效。田间药效试验结果表明,50%氟啶胺悬浮剂(2 g/m3)拌药处理的防效在80%以上,与盆栽药效试验结果一致,并显著优于其他药剂处理。     

3种植物提取液防治大白菜蚜虫试验

蚜虫是为害十字花科蔬菜的重要害虫之一,繁殖速率快,世代重叠.易造成菜株严重失水和营养不良.当蚜群集中在幼叶上时,常使叶片卷曲,轻则表现叶片绿色不匀或发黄,整个叶片由于失水发软而瘫在地上;受害严重时,使菜不能包心.     

二甲戊灵乳油防治甘蓝田杂草的效果

随着耕作制度的改变,蔬菜种植面积的不断扩大,蔬菜田杂草的防除已备受农民关注.扬州市苏灵农药化工有限公司生产的330 g/L二甲戊灵乳油是防除蔬菜田杂草较理想的除草剂之一,2007年我们对其实施了田间小区药效试验.     

Calcium chelate is as effective as phosphite in controlling Phytophthora root rot in glasshouse trials

Species in the genus Phytophthora cause significant economic losses in crops and damage to forests and natural ecosystems worldwide. Currently, phosphite is the most effective chemical for disease management, but excessive phosphite concentrations can result in phytotoxicity in plants and the development of tolerance by the pathogen. Two newly developed metal chelates and phosphite (alone and in combination) were tested for their in vitro and in planta efficacy against Phytophthora cinnamomi. In glasshouse trials, 0.25% and 0.5% of each chemical treatment (phosphite, Ca chelate, Zn chelate) and Ca chelate + phosphite were used as a foliar application on 3-month-old seedlings of Banksia grandis (experiment not repeated) and Eucalyptus marginata, prior to inoculation with P. cinnamomi. All noninoculated control plants remained healthy, while significant root damage and reduction of dry root weights were observed for inoculated untreated plants. Individually, phosphite and Ca chelate significantly reduced root lesion development of P. cinnamomi compared to the control, with Ca chelate attaining superior results to phosphite at the same concentration. In combination, Ca chelate + phosphite had the largest reduction in root lesion development in both plant species; however, this result has not yet been replicated but did reflect previous in vitro results. The Zn chelate applications were not effective. Ca chelate has the potential to be developed as a fungicide to control Phytophthora species.     

罗汉果根腐病的室内药剂防治试验

测定15种农药、芽孢杆菌By22菌株及其分泌的拮抗物质对罗汉果根腐病的抑菌效果,以斑锈灵最强,抑菌效果为96．03％。盆栽防治试验,先施药处理后接种罗汉果根腐病菌和先接种后施药的植株,都是斑锈灵防治效果最好,分别为77．58％和68．75％;Bv22粗提取物加斑锈灵次之,防效分别是51．35％和65．55％。     

The regulatory landscape for biological control agents

A biological control agent (BCA) has been defined as ‘an organism [used] to reduce the population density of another organism’. However, an organism which is a BCA may, in addition, fall within the regulatory definition of an invasive alien species, a plant pest, a quarantine plant pest, a harmful organism, a plant protection product, or any combination of these. Therefore the regulatory landscape which has to be navigated by applicants wishing to release BCAs is complex. Examples are given of this complexity, drawing on relevant international standards and European Union legislation. A clearer understanding of the regulatory landscape across the EPPO region is necessary for agreeing routes through it to facilitate rapid adoption of biological control options, where these are available, and to ensure that potential risks and benefits are assessed in a coherent and consistent way.     

The potential use of allicin as a biopesticide for the control of the house fly,Musca domestica L.

The house fly, Musca domestica L., is a widespread pest of intensively reared livestock, where its presence negatively affects growth and productivity through the irritation their activity causes. Furthermore, adult flies mechanically vector a wide range of animal and human pathogens and, as such, pose a health risk to both livestock and people. The development of resistance in M. domestica populations to most of the insecticides used against them, coupled with diminishing product availability in many regions, means that new fly control methods and materials are constantly required. In the present study, a formulation of allicin, a compound derived from garlic cloves, was evaluated against the eggs, larvae and adults of Musca domestica L.. An in-diet LD₅₀ of 134 ppm against larvae was achieved, whilst marked ovicidal activity was also recorded. Adults were similarly affected when exposed directly and indirectly to surface residues of the compound. The results indicate that allicin exhibits potential to be used against filth flies through incorporation into their developmental substrates and, potentially, for the control of other economically important dipteran pests.     

火烧坪大白菜根肿病的发生与防治

火烧坪位于鄂西南山区,平均海拔1800m,是宜昌市最大的反季节蔬菜生产基地,主要以种植大白菜、萝卜等十字花科蔬菜为主。由于连作时间长、施肥不当、病虫害防治不力等多方面的原因,近年来,大白菜根肿病在该基地个别田块发生较重,并有蔓延的趋势。认识大白菜根肿病的危害性,掌握其发生、发展的规律和防治措施,对该基地大白菜生产具有重要作用。     

对控制农作物生物灾害的政府职能分析

农作物生物灾害(病、虫、草、鼠害等)种类繁多,发生频繁,严重地影响着农业生产和国家粮食等农产品及作物生态环境的安全,所以政府在生物灾害的控制中应起主导和决定性的作用。本文试分析政府的控害职能,以加强对农作物生物灾害的控制,确保农业生产安全。1控制农作物生物灾害政府职能的特点农作物生物灾害有3个显著的特点:一是为害农作物的有害生物种类多,发生面广,频率高。在我国,为害农作物的病、虫、草、鼠害超过2000种,其中大面积严重为害农作物的病、虫害有100种以上,有些病虫1a发生多个代(次),各类作物各生育期都可能遭遇到病虫的为害;…     

Juvenogens as potential agents in termite control: laboratory screening

Preliminary screening tests of eight juvenogens, fatty acid esters of two parent juvenoid alcohols, showed high juvenilizing effect in the termite Prorhinotermes simplex (Hagen). This effect is manifested by differentiation of termite workers into pre-soldiers, soldiers and/or soldier-intercastes ('soldiers'). Juvenogen 9 was tested with five other termite species: Zootermopsis angusticollis Hagen, Kalotermes flavicollis F, Cryptotermes declivis Tsai & Chen, Reticulitermes santonensis de Feytaud, and R flaviceps Oshima, and showed promising efficacy in force-feeding (FF) as well as in choice bioassays. In the economically important subterranean termites R santonensis and R flaviceps, after application of 0.5 mg ml(-1) in FF experiments ca 57 and 73%, respectively, of workers changed into soldiers. In Zootermopsis angusticollis application of 0.05 mg ml(-1) caused differentiation in 62% soldiers, and 57% soldiers differentiated after topical application of 1 microg of the tested compound per termite. Differentiation of excessive soldiers induced by a juvenile hormone-mimicking compound may cause disruption of the social structure and ultimately the death of the colony.     

Isolation and characterization of bacterial isolates for biological control of clubroot on Chinese cabbage

Clubroot caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae is becoming an emerging threat to the production of crucifer vegetable crops in China. The aim of this study was to develop an effective biocontrol strategy against clubroot of Chinese cabbage. Results indicated that six out of fourteen bacterial strains that were isolated from vegetable rhizosphere soil reduced disease severity of Chinese cabbage by more than 50.% under greenhouse conditions.In greenhouse experiments, a soil-drench application of strain YFY 02, 13-1 and HY cell-free culture filtrate reduced the clubroot by 37.7-74.6 % relative to pathogen post-inoculation control on the highly susceptible Chinese cabbage cultivar. Seed treatment of strain YFY 02, 13-1 and HY cell-free culture filtrate reduced clubroot by 23.8-56.0 % in greenhouse experiments. In two field trials conducted at Tonghai and Lufeng sites, cell-free culture filtrates of three isolates reduced clubroot severity on Chinese cabbage by 62.4-76.8 % and 79.4 % -85.1 %, respectively. This efficacy was similar to fungicide Cyazofamid. Based on the sequence analysis of the 16S rDNA gene and identification of biochemical and physiologica criteria l(Biolog carbon source utilization analysis), the strains YFY 02 and HY were identified as Lysobacter antibioticus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. antibioticus strains being a promising candidate as a biological control agent against clubroot.     

Prospects for the use of biological control agents against Anoplophora in Europe

This review summarises the literature on the biological control of Anoplophora spp. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and discusses its potential for use in Europe. Entomopathogenic fungi: Beauveria brongniartii Petch (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) has already been developed into a commercial product in Japan, and fungal infection results in high mortality rates. Parasitic nematodes: Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Steinernema carpocapsae Weiser have potential for use as biopesticides as an alternative to chemical treatments. Parasitoids: a parasitoid of Anoplophora chinensis Forster, Aprostocetus anoplophorae Delvare (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), was discovered in Italy in 2002 and has been shown to be capable of parasitising up to 72% of A. chinensis eggs; some native European parasitoid species (e.g. Spathius erythrocephalus) also have potential to be used as biological control agents. Predators: two woodpecker (Piciformis: Picidae) species that are native to Europe, Dendrocopos major Beicki and Picus canus Gmelin, have been shown to be effective at controlling Anoplophora glabripennis Motschulsky in Chinese forests. The removal and destruction of infested and potentially infested trees is the main eradication strategy for Anoplophora spp. in Europe, but biological control agents could be used in the future to complement other management strategies, especially in locations where eradication is no longer possible. © 2014 Crown copyright. Pest Management Science © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry