Application of different combinations of lactic acid, phototrophic bacteria and yeast mixtures in control of seed and seedlings pathogens of tomato and pepper

Application of three combinations of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus), phototrophic bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas palustris) and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) with sugar cane molasses, marked as: EM1, EM5 and EM AGRO, against the phytopathogenic fungi of tomato and pepper: Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, Botrytis cinerea, Colletotrichum sp., Verticilium dahliae and Pythium aphanidermatum was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. A combination of bacteria and yeast named EM5 showed the highest mycelium growth inhibition against B. cinerea (38.4%) in a double agar diffusion test. In a microdilution test, the combination EM1 showed the highest inhibitory effect on B. cinerea (MIC 1x10-3 ?l/ml), while EM5 showed a similar inhibitory effect towards F. oxysporum, A. alternata and Colletotrichum sp. (MIC 10 ?l/ml). The use of EM1 (in concentrations 10 and 100 ?l/ml) and EM AGRO (10 ?l/ml) is recommended for tomato seedling protection. ??1 (100 ?l/ml), ??5 and ?? AGRO (10 ?l/ml) are recommended for pepper seedling protection.

Carrot seed coating with bacteria for seedling protection from grass grub damage

Carrot seedlings are susceptible to damage from grass grub larvae The biological control bacterium Serratia entomophila was applied to the surface of carrot seeds via pelleting or as a biopolymer seed coating and the activity against grass grubs determined in pot trials Seedling mortality caused by grass grub larvae was significantly reduced (Plt;005) in two trials from 88 and 64 in untreated pots to 26 and 13 in pots containing pelleted seed and 7 and 16 in pots containing biopolymercoated seed Shelf life studies showed formulations were stable at 4C for at least eight weeks and for two weeks at 20C after which cell viability decreased over time Bioassay results showed little difference between the two treatments despite a higher concentration of bacteria on the biopolymercoated than the pelleted seeds The potential of seed coating as a delivery mechanism for biocontrol agents has been demonstrated and future possibilities are discussed

Effectiveness of a Physical Barrier in Deterring Vole and Snowshoe Hare Feeding Damage to Lodgepole Pine Seedlings

We examined the effectiveness of a tubular, polyethylene/polypropylene mesh seedling protection device in reducing overwinter feeding damage by snowshoe hares(Lepus americanus) and meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus) on spring planted, plug stock (1 + 0) lodgepole pine(Pinus contorta). Seedlings fitted with the seedling protection devices (SPD) had significantly lower levels of feeding damage (3 and 9%) than control seedlings (25 and 41%) on two study sites. Most of the feeding damage to treated seedlings was the clipping of the terminal leader or laterals that were not protected by the protection device. In two instances, a vole tunneled under the seedling protection device to damage the stem of the treated seedling; however, this was the exception. This physical barrier can be effective in reducing feeding damage by small mammals on lodgepole pine. West. J. Appl. For. 13(1):12-14.

Mechanism of seedling protection induced by a hypovirulent isolate of Rhizoctonia solani

Among several hypovirulent isolates of Rhizoctonia spp. tested, one isolate (No. 521) provided significantly higher protection (76–94%) to radish and cotton seedlings against infection by virulent isoltes of Rhizoctonia spp. and also induced a higher increased plant growth response than the others. The hypovirulent strain did not compete for root exudates. The protected plants were not induced to produce new polyphenols, melanins, more lignins, or phytoalexins. Also they did not produce inhibitors of pectinases or cellulases released by the pathogen, nor did they produce cell wall lytic-type enzymes, such as chitinase and β-(1,3) glucanase. Ca2+ content was significantly higher in seedlings colonized by the hypovirulent isolate. The hypovirulent isolate densely colonized the surface of roots and hypocotyls, and removal of its hyphae nullified the protection provided by this isolate. Key words: Rhizoctonia solani, damping-off, hypovirulent isolate, biological control.

Management of root rot and stem canker of coffee with fungicides

Greenhouse tests were conducted to evaluate the effect of iprodione (Rovral®), fosetyl-AI (Alliete®), triadimephon (Bayleton 50DF®), SoilGard® (Gliocladium virens), pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) (Terraclor®), copper hydroxide (Champion®), benomyl (Benlate 50WP®) and "Garlic Barrier" in the population of Rhizoctonia solani and Myrothecium roridum. The most promising fungicides were evaluated at different dosages (X/2, X and 2X) to determine seedling protection and toxicity. Pentachloronitrobenzene, benomyl and iprodione were the most effective in reducing the population of ft solant in the inoculated soil with 93, 75 and 70% of inhibition, respectively. A phytotoxicity effect was observed in coffee seedlings treated with the double dosage of PCNB. The effect of fungicides was minimal in the reduction of the propagules of M. roridum when compared to the control although benomyl and triadimephon protected the seedlings against this pathogen.