Effect of the Indigenous Microflora on the Development of Root and Crown Rot Caused by Pythium aphanidermatum in Cucumber Grown on Rockwool

ABSTRACT The capacity of the microflora in rockwool to suppress Pythium aphanidermatum, the causative agent of root and crown rot in cucumber, was assessed. Disease development of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) grown on rockwool was evaluated in an "ebb-and-flood" system with a recirculating nutrient solution after inoculation with P. aphanidermatum. In five independent experiments from 1995 to 1998, 11 batches of used rockwool were tested. All batches without P. aphanidermatum problems in the preceding cucumber crop had significantly lower numbers of diseased plants in nonautoclaved than in autoclaved used rockwool; the disease incidence was reduced by 52 to 100%. Suppressiveness also was present in rockwool previously used to grow other vegetable crops. Rockwool originating from a cucumber crop that was severely attacked by Pythium resulted in a high disease incidence. Previously unused (new) rockwool had higher or similar percentages of diseased plants than did nonsterilized used rockwool. Disease suppression in used rockwool could also be measured in a smaller test system. In both systems, autoclaved rockwool became suppressive to Pythium after recolonization with the indigenous microflora. Population sizes of total culturable aerobic bacteria as well as of fluorescent pseudomonads did not correlate with disease suppressiveness, as numbers of bacteria and pseudomonads were similar or lower in nonautoclaved (suppressive) than in autoclaved (nonsuppressive) rockwool. Differences in the structure of the bacterial populations could be visualized by using eubacterial polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Interestingly, the nonautoclaved and the recolonized used rockwool, which were both suppressive, showed different dominating bacterial groups as compared with the autoclaved rockwool. PCR-DGGE patterns obtained at different sampling times showed that the composition of the bacterial populations changed during plant growth. Fungal populations were present in the treatments that yielded suppressive rockwool, i.e., the nonautoclaved and the recolonized rockwool, but they were absent or present in low numbers in the autoclaved rockwool, which permitted a high disease incidence. Suppressiveness of rockwool to Pythium root and crown rot is a hitherto undescribed phenomenon, and knowledge of the mechanism and microorganisms involved will stimulate the development of microbially balanced soilless growing systems.     

Conduciveness of different soilless growing media to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pythium</Emphasis> root and crown rot of cucumber under near-commercial conditions

Substrates made from rockwool, coir dust, pumice and perlite were compared for conduciveness to Pythium root and crown rot in cucumber under near-commercial conditions. Rockwool slabs of 7 cm height were more conducive to the Pythium disease than coir dust slabs, pumice or perlite under these conditions. Temperature, oxygen concentration and water content were determined in the substrates to explain differences in conduciveness between the inorganic substrates rockwool, pumice and perlite by differences in the physical conditions. Temperature and oxygen concentration could not explain the differences but the higher disease level on rockwool was associated with a much higher water content of this substrate as compared to coir dust, pumice and perlite. Increasing the height of the substrate from 7 to 14 cm greatly decreased the percentage of diseased plants due to the Pythium disease on rockwool but had no effect on the level of disease on perlite when the substrate had been infested 4 cm below the planting hole. This difference in response in substrate height between rockwool and perlite could be explained by a much larger decrease in water content with substrate height in the rockwool than in the perlite substrate. Temperature in the substrates were above 30 °C for more than 6 h on sunny days in June and reached maximum values of 35 °C or more. These temperatures are highly favourable for the pathogen P. aphanidermatum but will have adverse effects on most biocontrol strains.     

Rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 and cucumber root mat in the UK

An unusual root disease of cucumbers has affected an increasing number of hydroponic crops in the UK since 1993. Symptoms include upward growth of roots, root proliferation sufficient to distort the shape of rockwool cubes and slabs, thickened roots and occasionally reduced root production and an increase in bent fruit. Rhizogenic Agrobacterium biovar 1 has previously been associated with the problem. In a survey of 37 nurseries in 1997, rhizogenic Agrobacterium bv. 1 isolates were obtained from 17 of 22 nurseries with symptoms and only occasionally from nurseries without symptoms. Young cucumber plants inoculated with rhizogenic Agrobacterium bv. 1 isolates, previously obtained from cucumber roots with symptoms, developed typical symptoms. The survey data and pathogenicity test support rhizogenic Agrobacterium bv. 1 as the primary causal agent of root mat in the UK. Although Agrobacterium bv. 1 isolates that do not harbour an Ri-plasmid are considered avirulent, their abundance in rockwool slabs as potential vectors of the Ri-plasmid may be a major factor in the epidemiology of the disease.     

转基因抗草甘膦大豆叶片降解对土壤微环境的影响

转基因作物具有良好的商业价值和优良的性状品质,为世界带来了巨大经济效益与社会效益,但转基因产品存在未知的环境风险使其安全性颇具争议,对其进行相关研究必不可少。以转入G2-EPSPS和GAT双价基因抗草甘膦大豆GE-J12、受体Jack、常规主栽品种ZH37为研究对象,利用生物试验的方法,于2018―2020连续3年跟踪调查分别埋有3种大豆叶片的土壤中可培养微生物数量及土壤酶活性变化,旨在明确转基因抗草甘膦大豆叶片在土壤降解过程的土壤环境安全性。结果表明：（1）以2019年测定结果为例,从整个90 d的调查期来看,同一年份3种大豆叶片在土壤中降解过程中真菌、放线菌和细菌数量变化趋势相似,无显著性差异;3个处理对土壤脱氢酶、土壤脲酶、土壤蔗糖酶影响也相似,仅在处理后10 d,GE-J12的土壤蔗糖酶活性显著低于ZH37,但与受体Jack相比无显著性差异,且该差异并不会在整个调查期持续出现。（2）不同年份转基因大豆叶片在土壤中降解过程中土壤真菌、放线菌和细菌数量,土壤脱氢酶、土壤脲酶和土壤蔗糖酶活性变化趋势相似,并没有发生数量或活性值突然骤增或骤降的现象。从整体上看,2018年的微生物数量高...     

香蕉—水稻轮作联合添加有机物料防控香蕉枯萎病研究

香蕉枯萎病是一种由尖孢镰刀菌引起的土传病害, 枯萎病的发生对香蕉产业造成严重的冲击本文针对香蕉枯萎病难以防控的难题, 采用水稻轮作同时添加有机物料（椰糠、稻秆和桉树皮）的方法, 研究了其对香蕉枯萎病高发病蕉园土壤中尖孢镰刀菌(FOC)和其他微生物数量的影响及其对香蕉枯萎病的防控效果。结果表明, 轮作水稻可以显著减少土壤中FOC的数量, 从而降低香蕉枯萎病的发病率。其中轮作水稻处理比未淹水未种植水稻处理FOC的数量下降了71.5%, 下茬香蕉枯萎病发病率降低了81.7%; 与未种植水稻但淹水的处理相比FOC数量下降了47.8%, 下茬香蕉枯萎病发病率降低了71.2%; 种植水稻同时添加水稻秸秆能够显著增强病原菌的杀灭效果和对下茬香蕉枯萎病的防控效果, 相比未添加物料轮作水稻处理, 尖孢镰刀菌数量下降了36.2%, 下茬香蕉枯萎病发病率降低了50.0%。同时, 水稻轮作同时添加有机物料处理及其下茬香蕉的种植, 对土壤中可培养细菌、真菌和放线菌数量均具有不同的影响。其中水稻种植期间不同处理的可培养真菌与放线菌数量随着时间的增加整体呈下降趋势, 而在种植香蕉后随时间的增加呈上升趋势; 土壤中可培养细菌的数量在水稻种植与香蕉种植期间随着时间的增加未呈现出规律性。结论：水稻轮作联合稻秆的添加能有效降低土壤中FOC的数量和下茬香蕉枯萎病的发病率。     

Mechanism of in vitro antagonism of phytopathogenic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scelrotium rolfsii</Emphasis> by actinomycetes

Sclerotium rolfsii (Sr), a soil-borne fungal pathogen, causes disease in a wide range of crops. Recently, we identified five actinomycetes (Streptomyces globisporus subsp. globisporus, S. globisporus, S. flavotricini, S. pactum, and S. senoensis) showing significant inhibitory effects on plant pathogens. In this study, the effects of the five actinomycetes for the biocontrol of Sr were investigated using the plate culture method and microscopy examination. Two actinomycetes with higher inhibitory effect were subsequently examined for the inhibition of sclerotial germination of Sr in unsterile soil in vitro. The cell-free cultures of five actinomycetes mediated significant inhibition of hyphal growth and sclerotial formation and germination of Sr. All actinomycete strains exhibited the ability to produce extracellular cell wall degrading enzymes in the culture conditions. The crude enzyme suspensions of S. flavotricini and S. pactum hydrolyzed the cell wall of Sr. At a dose of 1 g per kilogram soil, the solid formulations of S. flavotricini and S. senoensis prevented germination of 24% and 68% of sclerotia, respectively. Our results provide evidence of effective strains for the biocontrol of Sr, in addition to a further understanding of the underlying mechanism.     

Effect of Foliar Application of Urea on Rhizosphere and Rhizoplane Microflora of Wheat1)

The effect of urea leaf treatment on plant growth and rhizosphere microorganisms was studied under controlled environmental conditions with spring wheat at 2 growth stages, and at 2 inorganic nutrient levels of the soil. The increase in dry weight of shoots and roots was inhibited by the urea treatment. Treatment of seedlings also resulted in a delay in the formation of tillers and nodal roots, especially in low fertilized soil. A temporary increase of rhizoplane bacteria was demonstrated after 7–9 days due to a stimulation of fast growing strains. A quantitative effect on rhizoplane fungi was only apparent, on day 9 after treatment of seedlings, as a decrease in total numbers and coincided with the increase in numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes. At this time the numbers of fungi known to be early root colonizers like Penicillium spp. and Mortierella spp. decreased after initially being stimulated, while numbers of late colonizers like Fusarium spp. and Trichoderma spp. increased after 9 days after initially being reduced in comparison with the control. Investigation of the rhizosphere effect (R/S) of wheat by the soil dilution plate method and fluorescence microscopy showed a 200% increase in total numbers of micro-organisms in the rhizosphere soil when the former method was used, but a 10–30% reduction when fluorescence microscopy was employed.     

根结线虫拮抗放线菌的筛选及菌株HA10002的鉴定与活性物质分析

为了筛选获得对根结线虫具有拮抗能力的强活性放线菌菌株,并从菌株中发现新的杀线虫活性化合物,从海南东寨港红树林采集海泥样品9份,从五指山原始森林等地采集土壤样品51份,用平板稀释法对海泥和土壤样品进行分离;以南方根结线虫2龄幼虫为靶标线虫,采用24孔细胞培养板液体线虫法进行初筛和复筛;根据形态特征、培养特征、生理生化特征和16S rDNA序列对复筛出的活性菌株进行鉴定;菌株发酵液经溶媒萃取、硅胶柱层析、Sephadex LH 20凝胶过滤和制备薄层板层析,采用活性跟踪法从中分离纯化杀线虫活性化合物;化合物经光谱及波谱分析和文献对照,进行结构鉴定。从60份样品中分离得到356株菌落形态有差异的放线菌。初筛得到16株对根结线虫校正死亡率在80%以上的菌株,复筛获得3株线虫校正死亡率在95%以上的菌株,其中分离自海泥样品中的菌株HA10002抗线虫活性最强,发酵原液的校正死亡率达100%。HA10002经鉴定为白浅灰链霉菌,从其发酵液中分离获得2个活性化合物,其中A26 3为Nocardamine,A22 1的结构正在进一步鉴定中。上述结果表明,筛选出的放线菌HA10002能合成2种以上杀根结线虫的活性代谢产物,是一株遗传稳定且具有开发潜力的活性菌株。     

Disease resistance induced by nonantagonistic endophytic Streptomyces spp. on tissue-cultured seedlings of rhododendron

Of 82 strains of endophytic actinomycetes isolated from rhododendron plants, 12 were not antagonistic against Pestalotiopsis sydowiana, which is the causal agent of Pestalotia disease. Of these 12, MBR-37 and MBR-38 (identified as Streptomyces spp.) grew on IMA-2 medium. Tissue-cultured seedlings of rhododendron treated with these nonantagonistic strains showed less wilting and/or smaller lesions to P. sydowiana, although the degree of resistance was a little lower than that conferred by antagonistic Streptomyces galbus strain R-5. These seedlings accumulated the anthocyanin(s), suggesting that resistance induced by these strains could depend on activated defense responses associated with the phenylpropanoid pathway rather than with antibiosis.     

Effect of Organic Management of Soils on Suppressiveness to <Emphasis Type="Italic">Gaeumannomyces graminis</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">tritici</Emphasis> and its Antagonist, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas fluorescens</Emphasis>

Organic management of soils is generally considered to reduce the incidence and severity of plant diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens. In this study, take-all severity on roots of barley and wheat, caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici, was significantly lower in organically-managed than in conventionally-managed soils. This effect was more pronounced on roots of barley and wheat plants grown in a sandy soil compared to a loamy organically-managed soil. Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. and in particular phlD⁺ pseudomonads, key factors in the take-all decline phenomenon, were represented at lower population densities in organically-managed soils compared to conventionally-managed soils. Furthermore, organic management adversely affected the initial establishment of introduced phlD⁺ P. fluorescens strain Pf32-gfp, but not its survival. In spite of its equal survival rate in organically- and conventionally-managed soils, the efficacy of biocontrol of take-all disease by introduced strain Pf32-gfp was significantly stronger in conventionally-managed soils than in organically-managed soils. Collectively, these results suggest that phlD⁺ Pseudomonas spp. do not play a critical role in the take-all suppressiveness of the soils included in this study. Consequently, the role of more general mechanisms involved in take-all suppressiveness in the organically-managed soils was investigated. The higher microbial activity found in the organically-managed sandy soil combined with the significantly lower take-all severity suggest that microbial activity plays, at least in part, a role in the take-all suppressiveness in the organically-managed sandy soil. The significantly different bacterial composition, determined by DGGE analysis, in organically-managed sandy soils compared to the conventionally-managed sandy soils, point to a possible additional role of specific bacterial genera that limit the growth or activity of the take-all pathogen.     

Frequency, Diversity, and Activity of 2,4-Diacetylphloroglucinol-Producing Fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. in Dutch Take-all Decline Soils

ABSTRACT Natural suppressiveness of soils to take-all disease of wheat, referred to as take-all decline (TAD), occurs worldwide. It has been postulated that different microbial genera and mechanisms are responsible for TAD in soils from different geographical regions. In growth chamber experiments, we demonstrated that fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. that produce the antibiotic 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (2,4-DAPG) play a key role in the natural suppressiveness of two Dutch TAD soils. First, 2,4-DAPG-producing fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. were present on roots of wheat grown in both of the TAD soils at densities at or above the threshold density required to control take-all of wheat; in a complementary take-all conducive soil, population densities of 2,4-DAPG-producing Pseudomonas spp. were below this threshold level. Second, introduction of 2,4-DAPG-producing strain SSB17, a representative of the dominant geno-typic group found in the Dutch TAD soils, into the take-all conducive soil at population densities similar to the densities of indigenous 2,4-DAPG producers found in TAD soils provided control of take-all similar to that observed in the TAD soil. Third, a mutant of strain SSB17 deficient in 2,4-DAPG production was not able to control take-all of wheat, indicating that 2,4-DAPG is a key determinant in take-all suppression. These results show that in addition to the physicochemically different TAD soils from Washington State, 2,4-DAPG-producing fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. are also a key component of the natural suppressiveness found in Dutch TAD soils. Furthermore, it is the first time since the initial studies of Gerlagh (1968) that at least part of the mechanisms and microorganisms that operate in Dutch TAD soils are identified. Although quantitatively similar, the genotypic composition of 2,4-DAPG-producing Pseudomonas spp. varied between the Dutch TAD soils and the TAD soils from Washington State.     

黄瓜内生放线菌的分离、筛选及其活性菌株鉴定

 从植物内生放线菌中筛选拮抗活性菌株和寻找新的农用活性代谢产物,可为植物病害防治提供新的资源。本研究结果发现黄瓜幼苗的根、茎、叶中均有内生放线菌的存在,根组织中的数量、种类明显多于叶片和茎,占总分离株的72.7%,以链霉菌的淡紫灰类群、灰褐类群为主。活性筛选试验结果表明,黄瓜内生放线菌中对12种靶标真菌和6种细菌具有拮抗作用的菌株分别占46.8%和39.0%,主要为分离自根组织的链霉菌淡紫灰类群。分离自黄瓜叶片的gCLA4菌株抑菌谱较广,其发酵滤液对供试12种靶标真菌均具有较好的抑菌效果,但对靶标细菌有选择性抑制作用。形态学、细胞化学和16S rDNA序列分析鉴定该菌株为淡紫灰链霉菌(Streptomyces lavendularectus)。     

Biological control of Sclerotinia minor using a chitinolytic bacterium and actinomycetes

Isolates of 85 bacteria and 94 streptomycete and 35 nonstreptomycete actinomycetes were obtained from a lettuce-growing field in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, on colloidal chitin agar, and screened for their ability to produce chitinase. Twenty-three bacteria and 38 streptomycete and 15 nonstreptomycete actinomycete isolates produced high levels of chitinase and were examined in vitro for their ability to suppress the growth of Sclerotinia minor , a pathogen causing basal drop disease of lettuce. The three most suppressive isolates were examined further for their production of β-1,3-glucanase and antifungal activity as well as their ability to colonize the roots and rhizosphere of lettuce in vitro and in planta . The three isolates, Serratia marcescens, Streptomyces viridodiasticus and Micromonospora carbonacea , significantly reduced the growth of S. minor in vitro , and produced high levels of chitinase and β-1,3-glucanase. Streptomyces viridodiasticus also produced antifungal metabolite(s) that significantly reduced the growth of the pathogen in vitro . When the pathogen was presented as the sole carbon source, all three isolates caused extensive hyphal plasmolysis and cell wall lysis. Serratia marcescens and St. viridodiasticus were competent to varying degrees in colonizing the roots of lettuce seedlings after 8 days on agar plates and the rhizosphere within 14 days in pots, with their competency being superior to that of M. carbonacea . All three isolates, individually or in combination, were antagonistic to S. minor and significantly reduced incidence of disease under controlled glasshouse conditions.     

Predictive factors for the suppression of fusarium wilt of tomato in plant growth media

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilts are economically important diseases for which there are no effective chemical control measures. However, biological control and fertility management are becoming efficient alternatives for controlling this disease. Growth media formulated with composts that are able to suppress Fusarium wilt of tomato provide a control system that integrates both strategies. The aim of this study was to predict Fusarium wilt suppression of growth media using abiotic and biotic variables. Grape marc compost was the most effective medium used to suppress Fusarium wilt. Cork compost was intermediate, and light peat and expanded vermiculite were the most conducive growth media. The growth media evaluated were in a pH range of 6.26 to 7.97. Both composts had high beta-glucosidase activity. When pH and beta-glucosidase activity were taken into account as predictive variables, more than 91% of the variation in severity of Fusarium wilt was explained. This relationship illustrates the effect of nutrient availability and the degree of microbiostasis, two key factors in this pathosystem. Microbial populations involved in suppressiveness were cellulolytic and oligotrophic actinomycetes, fungi, and the ratios cellulolytic actinomycetes/cellulolytic bacteria, oligotrophic bacteria/copiotrophic bacteria, and oligotrophic actinomycetes/oligotrophic bacteria. Based on community level physiological profiles, different community structures were evident among growth media evaluated.     

秦岭链霉菌发酵液中杀虫活性成分分离及结构鉴定

采用大孔树脂层析、硅胶柱层析以及制备高效液相色谱等技术对具有抑菌和杀虫活性的秦岭链霉菌发酵液中的杀虫活性成分进行了分离纯化,得到3个杀虫活性化合物,经高分辨质谱和核磁共振波谱技术分别鉴定为阿维菌素B1a、B2a和A1a。研究发现,同一菌株发酵液中可以同时产生杀虫和杀菌两类成分,与阿维链霉菌Streptomyces avermectinius亲缘关系差异很大的链霉菌也可以产生阿维菌素成分。     

宁夏引黄灌区盐化土壤微生物区系及其指示意义

为了有效防治土壤盐渍化的进一步发展,采用平板稀释法和常规土壤化学性质测定方法,对宁夏惠农不同程度盐渍化土壤微生物区系及其动态变化,土壤化学性质、养分含量及其与土壤微生物的相关关系进行了研究。结果表明：在盐渍化土壤区域,随着盐渍化程度的增加,土壤pH和碱化度以轻度盐渍化土壤最高,且20～40 cm土层高于0～20 cm。不同程度盐渍化土壤养分含量、细菌、真菌和放线菌数量均表现为随着盐渍化程度的加重,而呈现逐渐降低的趋势,即轻度＞中度＞重度,且0～20 cm土层显著高于20～40 cm。细菌、真菌和放线菌数量在不同采样时间上表现为6月＞8月＞9月。土壤微生物区系与土壤养分含量之间相关关系明显,细菌、真菌、放线菌数量除与土壤全钾含量之间没有达到显著水平外,与土壤有机质、全氮、全磷、碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾含量之间均达到显著或极显著正相关关系（P<0.05或P<0.01）。因此,土壤微生物区系可以作为评价盐化土壤质量恢复及演变过程的生物指标。     

黄河中上游半干旱区典型盐渍土中拮抗性放线菌筛选

对采自陕西、宁夏和内蒙等地典型盐渍土中放线菌组成及拮抗性进行了研究。结果表明:(1)该地区盐渍土中放线菌以链霉菌属为主,非链霉菌仅占9.27%,链霉菌属中以球孢类群,粉红孢类群,灰褐类群,黄色类群为主,占到放线菌总数的55.62%。(2)供试的706株放线菌中有拮抗活性的占到76.44%,但广谱性拮抗菌株较少;对细菌拮抗能力较真菌强;拮抗性放线菌以粉红孢类群、灰褐类群和球孢类群为优势类群;(3)发酵滤液拮抗性试验筛选出4株能产生较强抑菌活性物质的菌株,其中3株都是粉红孢类群。     

Comparison of an in vitro and a damping-off assay to test soils for suppressiveness to Pythium aphanidermatum

Testing of soil samples in greenhouse assays for suppressiveness to soilborne plant pathogens requires a considerable investment in time and effort as well as large numbers of soil samples. To make it possible to process large numbers of samples efficiently, we compared an in vitro growth assay with a damping-off assay using Pythium aphanidermatum as the test organism on tomato seedlings. The in vitro test compares the radial growth or relative growth of the fungus in soil to that in autoclaved soil and reflects suppressiveness of soils to the pathogen. We used soils from a field experiment that had been farmed either organically or conventionally and into which a cover crop (oats and vetch in mixture) had been incorporated 0, 10, 21, and 35 days previously. We obtained a significant, positive correlation between damping-off severities of tomato seedlings in damping-off assays and both relative and radial growth in vitro. In addition, radial and relative growth of P. aphanidermatum in the in vitro assay were positively correlated with several carbon and nitrogen variables measured for soil and incorporated debris. We did not find differences between the two farming systems for either growth measures of P. aphanidermatum or disease severities on tomato at different stages of cover crop decomposition. The in vitro assay shows potential for use with any fungus that exhibits rapid saprophytic growth, and is most suitable for routine application in suppressiveness testing.     

Suppression of Fusarium wilt of spinach with compost amendments

The effect of different organic composts on the suppression of wilt disease of spinach caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae was evaluated in a continuous cropping system in both containers and in microplot field trials. Test soils infested with the pathogen were amended with wheatbran, wheatbran and sawdust, coffee grounds, chicken manure, or mixture of different composts with and without 5% (w/w) crab shell powder either once (5%, w/w) or continuously (2.5%) into the test soils infested with the pathogen. In the container trials, the soil amended with composts became suppressive to disease development on the second and third cropping. The suppressive effect was notable in the soil amended with the mixture of compost with and without crab shell powder. The coffee compost lowered soil pH but became suppressive to the disease after modifying the soil pH. In the field trial using the mixture of the different composts containing 5% crab shell powder, a combination of 5% before the first cropping and 2.5% every second cropping gave stable disease control and promoted plant growth. After compost amendment, populations of fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes as measured by dilution plate counting and the total microbial activity as evaluated by fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis increased and population of the pathogen gradually decreased. These phenomena were especially notable in soils amended with the mixture of different composts. These results indicate that diversity in the organic materials promotes higher microbial activity and population in the soil thereby enhancing disease suppressiveness.     

Suppression of Rhizoctonia solani in Potting Mixtures Amended with Compost Made from Organic Household Waste

ABSTRACT Compost made from organic household and garden waste was used to substitute part of the peat in potting mixtures used for growing woody ornamental nursery stock. The effects of amendment with compost on the colonization of potting mixture by Rhizoctonia solani (AG1) were studied in greenhouse experiments. A bioassay was developed using cucumber as a sensitive herbaceous test plant as a substitute for woody ornamental cuttings. Pathogen growth in the potting mixture was estimated by measuring the distance over which damping-off of seedlings occurred. Compost from two commercial composting facilities suppressed growth of R. solani in potting mixtures with 20% of the product when the compost was fresh (directly after delivery) or long matured (after 5 to 7 months of additional curing). In contrast, short-matured compost (1 month of additional curing) from the same batches stimulated pathogen growth. In vitro mycelial growth of R. solani on mixtures with mature compost was inhibited by microbial antagonism. Compost-amended potting mixtures responded differentially to the addition of cellulose powder; the effect on suppressiveness depended on curing time and origin of the compost. In long-matured compost, suppressiveness to R. solani was associated with high population densities of cellulolytic and oligotrophic actinomycetes. The ratio of the population density of actinomycetes to that of other bacteria was around 200-fold higher in mature suppressive compost than in conducive compost.