Biocontrol of damping-off and root-rot causing pathogens by novel Rhizobacteria isolated in Saskatchewan
Date
2003-02-18
Authors
Leung, G.C.Y.
Hynes, R.K.
Nelson, L.M.
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Abstract
In Saskatchewan, land area used to grow pulse crops is increasing, and maintenance of plant health is
imperative to produce an economically viable resource. The objective of this study is to characterize
novel rhizobacteria for plant growth promoting properties: enhancing the root and shoot growth of pea
and lentil, and suppressing the growth and disease severity caused by fungal pathogens. From in vitro
assays, isolates 5-6, 4-31, and 2-9 suppressed the growth of fungal pathogens. Mechanisms which
suppress the growth of fungal pathogens may include the production of enzymes which degrade the cell
wall of the fungi, and antifungal metabolites. In studies where rhizobacteria were inoculated in
combination with commercial Rhizobium inoculants onto pea and lentil seeds, isolate 2-9 significantly
increased the root dry weight of pea, and isolate 4-31 and 5-6 increased the ability of Rhizobium to fix
nitrogen in pea and lentil, respectively. Fungicide compatibility studies using two commonly-used
products (Apron®-FL, Crown®) showed that isolate 5-6 was compatible with both fungicides, whereas
isolates 4-31 and 2-9 were compatible only with Apron®-FL. The three bacterial isolates (5-6, 4-31,
and 2-9) chosen for possible development of a commercial inoculant show promise to be effective
biological control agents against fungal pathogens.
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Keywords
Rhizobium, plant growth promotion, fungal pathogens, biological control, inoculant, pulse crops (pea, lentil)
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Part Of
Soils and Crops Workshop