Application of alginate gel for protection of wounds against crown gall (Agrobacterium tumefaciens)

In glasshouse and laboratory experiments, calcium alginate gel, produced in situ on wounds by successive dipping in solutions of sodium alginate and CaCl₂ gave significant protection against infection by pathogenic isolates of Agrobacterium tumefaciens on carrot discs, tomato cuttings and chrysanthemum cuttings. Gel protection was sometimes equal to that given by strain K84 of A. radiobacter and also operated against a pathogenic isolate insensitive to control by strain K84. Sodium alginate or CaCl₂ alone gave little or no protection, suggesting that calcium alginate acted by physically excluding the pathogen from wound surfaces. The use of the method described is discussed for delivery of biological or chemical control agents to plant surfaces whilst also providing protection in its own right.