Effects of Aureobasidium pullulans on numbers of lesions on dwarf bean leaves caused by Alternaria zinniae

Inoculating dwarf bean leaves with spore suspensions ofAureobasidium pullulans one day before or simultaneously with inoculations made withAlternaria zinniae significantly decreased numbers of lesions caused by the latter fungus. Delaying inoculation withA. pullulans until 1 day after that withA. zinniae lessened the effect on lesion numbers. Increasing numbers ofA. pullulans spores progressively decreased numbers ofA. zinniae lesions. Three of five isolates ofA. pullulans decreased lesion numbers caused byA. zinniae. AlthoughA. pullulans restricted the germination ofA. zinniae on dwarf bean leaves, it had no effect when on cherry agar. Few viable propagules ofA. pullulans were recovered from dwarf bean leaves when examined 7 days after application.