Phytotoxin Production and Aerial Mycelium Formation by Streptomyces scabies and S. acidiscabies in Vitro

Culture conditions (pH, Ca²⁺, phosphate, and temperature) on phytotoxin production (thaxtomin A and concanamycins A and B) and aerial mycelium formation were examined for two strains each of Streptomyces scabies and S. acidiscabies. Thaxtomin production decreased at pH 7.5 and increased at 15°C in S. scabies and increased at 30 mM phosphate in S. acidiscabies. Concanamycin production was stimulated by the addition of CaCl₂ and was correlated with formation of aerial mycelium. Aerial mycelium formation in S. scabies was greater the higher the pH, Ca²⁺ concentration and temperature, whereas that in S. acidiscabies was unaffected. Received 2 November 2000/ Accepted in revised form 27 April 2001