An investigation of the effect of Meloidogyne hapla, M. arenaria, M. arenaria thamesi, M. incognita acrita, and M. incognita on Ligustrum ovalifolium, L. japonicum, and Abelia floribunda was conducted. With the exception of M. hapla on L. ovalifolium and M. arenaria thamesi on A. floribunda, all 5 species of nematodes were pathogenic on the 3 host species. Striking differences in growth of the L. ovalifolium plants inoculated with the 4 root-knot species that caused significant reduction could easily be seen. Reduction in weight of the plants inoculated with the 4 root-knot species varied from 39.8% to 63.6% of the controls, and the reduction in total length of stems of these plants varied from 37.2% to 58.5% of the controls at the termination of the experiment. Reduction in weight of the L. japonicum plants inoculated with root-knot species varied from 29.2% to 51.7% of the controls. All plants inoculated with root-knot were significantly reduced in weight compared to controls. There were no visual differences in growth among the A. floribunda treatments; however, omitting the M. arenaria thamesi treatment which was not significantly different from control, the reduction in weight of the inoculated plants varied from 26.81 to 41.71 of the controls. / M.S.

Bibliography: leaves 146-152.

Bibliography: leaves 146-152 / 152 leaves : ill ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Dept. of Plant Pathology, Waite Agricultural Research Institute, University of Adelaide, 1987

CAPES / A busca por substâncias capazes de agir na defesa vegetal é necessária para o manejo de doenças, especialmente na vitivinicultura orgânica. Na primeira parte dos testes, avaliou-se as concentrações 0; 3; 6; 9 e 12% de extrato aquoso de bagaço de uva (EABU), tratamentos padrões calda bordalesa (CB) 1% e Saccharomyces cerevisae (SC) (1 mL L-1) no controle do míldio (Plasmopara viticola) em discos de folhas e em plantas de videira, além da indução de β-1-3-glucanases e quitinase em videira e síntese de fitoalexinas em mesocótilos de sorgo. A composição química do bagaço de uva e o perfil cromatográfico do EABU a 12% foram determinados com objetivo de identificar compostos com possível ação contra míldio. O EABU aplicado em discos foliares, na concentração de 12%, reduziu em mais de 50% a severidade do míldio. Em condições de campo, o extrato foi eficiente de forma análoga ao tratamento padrão CB. Além disso, induziu a atividade das enzimas de defesa β-1-3- glucanases e quitinase 24 e 48 horas após o inicio dos primeiros sintomas da doença. A síntese de fitoalexinas também foi resposta ao tratamento com EABU. Os minerais identificados fósforo, enxofre, potássio, cálcio e magnésio e os compostos fenólicos ácidos gálico, cafeíco e vanílico e; os flavonóides catequina e epicatequina podem ter agido na defesa contra o míldio da videira. Na segunda parte deste trabalho, empregou-se a canola na forma de extrato aquoso (EAC) no controle do míldio da videira e como saches de farinha dessa brássica no controle do mofo cinzento in vivo e in vitro em Botrytis cinerea. As concentrações do EAC foram às mesmas do experimento com anterior. E, em saches utilizou-se 0; 0,8; 1,7; 2,55 e 3,4g. Constatou-se, nos dois ciclos de cultivo da videira, que o extrato prejudicou o desenvolvimento do míldio controlando entre 20 a 30% em relação ao tratamento testemunha, na concentração de 6% de extrato. A farinha de canola, possivelmente liberou compostos voláteis em todas as concentrações capazes de reduzir o crescimento micelial, produção de conídios de B. cinerea e o mofo cinzento em bagas de uva cv. Rubi. / The search for substances capable of acting in the defense of plants is a necessity for the management of diseases in the vitiviniculture organic. In the first part of the tests, 0 concentrations were evaluated; 3; 6; 9 and 12% aqueous extract of grape marc (AEGM), standard treatments Bordeaux mixture (BM) 1% and Saccharomyces cerevisae (SC) (1 mL L-1) in the control of mildew (Plasmopara viticola) in leaf and in vine plants, as well as the induction of β-1,3-glucanases and chitinase in vines and the synthesis of phytoalexins in sorghum mesocotyls. The chemical composition of the grape marc and the chromatographic profile of the AEGM at 12% were measured with a purpose of identification with anti-mildew action. The AEGM applied in foliar discs in the concentration of 12% reduced in more than 50% the severity of the mildew. In field conditions, the extract was efficient in a manner analogous to the CB standard. In addition, it induced the activity of the defense enzymes β-1-3- glucanases and chitinase 24 and 48 hours after the onset of the disease's first symptoms and phytoalexin synthesis. The minerals identified as phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, calcium and magnesium and the phenolic compounds galic, caffeic and vanillic acids; the catechin and epicatechin flavonoids. In the second part of this work, the Brassica napus in the form of aqueous extract (AEB) without control of the media and as sachets (0; 0.8; 1.7; 2.55 and 3.4g), releasing volatile compounds without raw carbon control in vivo and in vitro is used. As extract concentrations as their previous works. It was verified that the aqueous extract of B. napus harmed the development of mildew by controlling between 20 and 30% in relation to the control treatment, when 6% of extract was used in the two cycles of grapevine cultivation. Canola meal possibly released volatile compounds at all concentrations capable of reducing B. cinerea mycelial growth and conidia production as gray mold on cv. Rubi.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:58:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 444192 bytes, checksum: 18a2e1dbf1a51dcd324a86ad55b41f81 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-02 / The interstate phytosanitary barriers (fixed and mobile) have an important role in reducing the risk of dissemination of regulated pests and they also contribute to meeting the phytosanitary requirements from importing countries, being part of an important system of traceability and of a national process of vegetable transit control. Therefore a survey of the existing interstate barriers, a technical evaluation and an evaluation of the working conditions is essential for vegetal transit in Brazil, in order to find possible flaws and improve them. This was the main intention of this study which as well as carrying out the geographical and structural survey of the interstate barriers, it evaluated their functional structure using economic and technical criteria. To this end, 22 phytosanitary barriers of ten states and four regions were visited in loco and also evaluated the forms that were sent to all the state defense departments. The results showed that in Brazil there are 310 interstate fixed barriers in 27 units of the federation. The evaluation concerning technical conditions and the functioning of the barriers looked into the items: time of functioning, numbers of civil servants, adequate structure, training, procedure manual and the number of barriers, indicated that they do not meet the needs related to the actions of inspection for which they are intended and that their role of phytosanitary control should be reconsidered. There are States where the barriers were totally deactivated and others where the functioning is precarious, with only bureaucratic action and unable to stop the transit of regulated pests. An analysis of the connection between the contract resources passed through MAPA and the evaluated items at the state barriers showed a low association, indicating that the transfer of funds should also be reconsidered and better planned. In conclusion, it can be said that the interstate phytosanitary barriers do not fulfill their main role of reducing the risk of pest dissemination, by limiting themselves to the verification of Vegetal transit documents. / As Barreiras fitossanitárias interestaduais (fixas e móveis) têm o importante papel de diminuir o risco de disseminação de pragas regulamentadas, além de contribuir para o atendimento dos requisitos fitossanitários dos países importadores, sendo parte importante de um sistema de rastreabilidade e de um processo nacional de controle do trânsito de vegetais. Portanto, torna-se imprescindível para o trânsito vegetal no Brasil, um levantamento das barreiras interestaduais existentes e uma avaliação técnica e das condições de funcionamento buscando-se possíveis falhas para o aprimoramento das mesmas. Esse foi o objetivo desse estudo que, além do levantamento geográfico e estrutural das barreiras interestaduais, avaliou a estrutura de funcionamento sob critérios técnicos e econômicos. Para tanto, foram visitadas in loco 22 barreiras fitossanitárias de dez Estados e quatro regiões e avaliados os formulários enviados a todos os órgãos estaduais de defesa. Os resultados mostraram que no Brasil existem 310 barreiras interestaduais fixas, nas 27 unidades da federação. A avaliação das condições técnicas e de funcionamento das barreiras, com relação aos itens: horário de funcionamento; número de servidores, estrutura adequada, treinamento, manual de procedimento e quantidade de barreiras, indicou que as mesmas não atendem as necessidades relativas às ações de fiscalização a que se destinam e que seu papel de controle fitossanitário deve ser repensado. Há Estados em que as barreiras foram totalmente desativadas e outros onde o funcionamento é precário, com atuação somente burocrática e incapaz de barrar o trânsito de pragas regulamentadas. Uma análise da relação entre os recursos de convênio repassados pelo MAPA e os itens avaliados nas barreiras estaduais mostrou uma baixa associação, indicando que o repasse também deve ser repensado e melhor planejado. Como conclusão, pode-se dizer que, as Barreiras interestaduais fitossanitárias, não cumprem o seu papel principal de diminuir o risco de disseminação de pragas, restringindo-se a conferência dos documentos de trânsito Vegetal.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / A murcha-de-esclerócio causada por Sclerotium rolfssi é uma das mais importantes doenças do tomateiro em regiões tropicais. O presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de selecionar rizobactérias que promovem o controle da murcha-de-esclerócio sem afetar o crescimento das plantas de tomateiro e verificar se o mecanismo de antiobiose e a inibição da difusão do ácido oxálico têm relação com a capacidade de controle. / The southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is one of the most important diseases of tomato in tropical countries. The aim of this work was select rhizobacteria capable to control the southern blight with no effect on tomato growth and investigative the correlation of antibiosis mechanism and inhibition of oxalic acid diffusion with the control of disease

CAPES / O fungo Rhizoctonia solani é um fitopatógeno habitante de solo que causa danos em diversas culturas. O controle químico, quando manejado de forma errada, pode ser prejudicial ao meio ambiente, o que torna importante o estudo do controle por meio de métodos alternativos. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes doses de chorume de suínos (CS), com e sem retenção de gases, em diferentes níveis de pH de solo, no controle da rizoctoniose em beterraba. O inóculo do fungo R. solani foi obtido pela multiplicação em substrato em grãos de arroz, previamente esterilizado. Os experimentos foram montados em casa de vegetação, em blocos inteiramente casualizados, arranjados em esquema trifatorial 2 x 2 x 5, sendo níveis de pH do solo (4,8 e 7,2) x com e sem retenção de gases x doses de CS (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20%), com quatro repetições por tratamento. Para a montagem dos experimentos, foram acondicionados separadamente 4 kg de solo com os diferentes níveis de pH, em sacos plásticos. Posteriormente, o solo de cada saco foi infestado com 15 g de inóculo do fungo/kg de solo, e umedecido conforme necessidade. Após sete dias da infestação do solo com o patógeno, em cada saco foram incorporadas separadamente as diferentes doses do chorume de suíno, sendo os sacos com retenção de gases vedados e os sem retenção permaneceram abertos. Após sete dias, parte do solo de cada saco foi acondicionada separadamente em 16 células de bandeja de isopor de 128 células, sendo semeadas duas sementes de beterraba por célula. A outra parte do solo foi colocada em vasos de 2 litros de capacidade, para realização da quantificação da atividade microbiana, por meio do método de desprendimento de CO2, aos 21 dias após da montagem do experimento. Foram realizadas diariamente avaliações de emergência e tombamento de plântulas, por 21 dias consecutivos. Os dados foram submetidos a análises de variância, e quando significativos foram submetidos à análise de regressão ou Teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade de erro. Os experimentos foram repetidos por duas vezes. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, houve efeito supressivo do CS no controle de rizoctoniose. Para a variável emergência, a dose 10% de CS foi a que apresentou o maior número de plantas emergidas nos dois níveis de pH de solo estudado, submetidos ou não à retenção de gases. O tombamento de plantas diminuiu em função do aumento dos volumes de CS incorporados ao solo. O solo com nível de pH 7,2 apresentou menos tombamento de plântulas de beterraba do que o solo com nível de pH 4,8. A retenção dos gases proporcionou o maior controle da rizoctoniose nas maiores doses de CS e em solos com nível de pH 7,2. Neste estudo constatouse também aumento significativo da atividade microbiana nas doses crescentes de CS, quando aplicado ao solo nos níveis pH 4,8 e 7,2. Com base nestes resultados, concluiu-se que a dose 10% de CS é a que proporciona melhor controle da rizoctoniose, sem prejudicar a emergência das plântulas. / The fungus Rhizoctonia solani is a soil borne pathogen that causes damage to various crops. The chemical control, when managed incorrectly, can be harmful to the environment, which makes the study of alternative control important. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of different doses of Liquid swine manure (LSM), with and without the retention of gases, at different soil pH levels, to control R. solani in beet. An inoculum of the fungus R. solani was on rice grains, which had been previously sterilised. The experiments were set up in a greenhouse in a completely randomised block design, arranged in a three-factor 2 x 2 x 5 scheme, comprising of soil pH levels (4.8 and 7.2) x with and without gas retention x LSM dose (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%), with four replications per treatment. To setup the experiments, 4 kg of soil of each pH level were packed separately into plastic bags. Subsequently, the soil of each bag was infested with 15 g of fungus inoculum/kg of soil, and moistened as necessary. After seven days of infestation of the soil with the pathogen the different doses of LSM were incorporated separately into the bags, the bags designated as the gas retention treatment were closed, while those designated as the gas release treatment were left open. After seven days, part of the soil from each bag was packed separately into 16 cells of 128 cell Styrofoam trays, which were then seeded with two beet seeds per cell. The other part of the soil was placed in 2 litre pots, to conduct the quantification of microbial activity, through the method of CO2 release, 21 days after the experiment was setup. Seedling emergence and damping-off evaluations were performed daily for 21 days consecutively. The data was submitted to analysis of variance, and when significant were submitted to regression analysis or Tukey at 5% probability of error. The experiments were repeated twice. According to the results obtained, there was a suppressive effect of LSM on R. solani. For the variable emergence, the 10% dose of LSM resulted in the largest number of emerging plants in the two soil pH levels studied, whether or not gas was retained. Seedling dampingoff decreased with increasing volumes of LSM incorporated into the soil. The soil with the pH level of 7.2 presented less seedling damping-off than the soil with a pH level of 4.8. The retention of gases provided greater control of R. solani in the higher LSM doses and in soil with a pH level of 7.2. Also noted in this study that there was a significant increase in microbial activity with increasing doses of LSM when applied to soil with pH levels of 4.8 and 7.2. Based on these results, it was concluded that the 10% dose of LSM provided the best control of R. solani without harming seedling emergence.

CAPES / Produtos alternativos, como extratos vegetais, podem ser utilizados no controle de doenças de plantas visando reduzir o uso de fungicidas sintéticos, assim como a contaminação do meio ambiente e dos alimentos. Dentre as doenças que afetam as hortaliças de importância economica no Brasil, encontra-se o oídio, e a espécie Erysiphe polygoni DC., pode causar a doença em plantas como o feijão-de-vagem, afetando toda a parte aérea. Brassica sp. têm se mostrado eficientes no manejo de doenças de plantas, causadas por patógenos veiculados ao solo e, resultados preliminares também têm indicado eficiência das mesmas no controle de oídio. A utilização de brássicas no controle de doenças de plantas, é um método alternativo natural e as substâncias extraídas das plantas na forma de extratos são mais baratas que os fungicidas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar o efeito dos extratos aquosos de canola (Brassica napus L.) e mostarda-da-índia (B. juncea L.), obtidos por diferentes métodos de extração no manejo do oídio em feijão-de-vagem, cultivado em ambiente protegido. Os experimentos avaliando o efeito dos extratos sobre a germinação de conídios, formação de apressório (in vitro) e AACPD da incidência e severidade da doença (casa de vegetação) foram em esquema fatorial 5 x 3 (concentração x métodos de extração) com cinco repetições. Os três métodos de extração foram aquoso simples, maceração e infusão e as cinco concentrações foram 0, 3, 6, 9 e 12% do respectivo extrato. Posteriormente, foram conduzidos novos experimentos para avaliar o efeito de compostos voláteis na germinação de conídios e formação de apressório, comparando os extratos aquosos simples de canola e mostarda-da-índia (9%) com leite cru (10%), enxofre inorgânico, o fungicida tiofanato metílico + clorotalonil e o Bion®, os três últimos nas doses comenciais. Além desses experimentos, foram conduzidos experiemtos comparativos para avaliar a AACPD da incidência e da severidade da doença com os mesmos tratamentos citados anteriormente, exceto o Bion. Também foi avaliada a síntese de fitoalexinas em cotilédones de soja e a atividade metabólica dos extratos em tecidos de feijão-de-vagem, por meio das análises de proteínas totais, das enzimas fenilalanina amônia-liase e peroxidase e compostos fenólicos. As concentrações dos extratos aquosos de canola e mostarda-da-índia que mais inibiram a germinação de conídios e a formação de apressório de E. polygoni, assim como a severidade do oídio, foram de 9 e 12%. De maneira geral, todos os métodos de preparo dos extratos foram eficientes no controle do oídio, mas, os que mais se destacaram foram o aquoso simples e macerado. Os extratos aquosos simples de canola e mostarda-da-índia a 9%, foram eficientes tanto na inibição da germinação de conídios quanto no controle da severidade do oídio, se igualando ao fungicida tiofanato-metílico + clorotalonil. Esse comportamento demonstra que houve efeito de compostos voléteis com ação fungitóxica e pode ter ocorrido efeito direto, com ação fungistática. Pode ter ocorrido ainda indução de resistência, por meio da ativação das enzimas POX, SOD e PAL, resultando no acúmulo de compostos fenólicos e fitoalexinas. / Intensive use of chemicals in agriculture, despite increasing crop productivity, has generated concern to producers and consumers, as have associated with degradation and contamination of the environment and also contamination of food. Alternative products such as plant extracts in the control of plant diseases, aimed at reducing the use of synthetic fungicides. Among the diseases that affect vegetables, such as green bean, is powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC.), which can affect the entire shoot. Brassica sp. have proven effective in the management of plant diseases caused by soil borne pathogens and preliminary results have also shown the same effectiveness in controlling powdery mildew. The use of brassicas in the control of plant diseases, it is a natural alternative method and as the plant extracts are cheaper than fungicides. The objective was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extracts of canola (Brassica napus L.) and mustard-of-india (B. juncea L.), obtained by different extraction methods in the management of powdery mildew in green bean, grown in a protected environment. The experiments evaluating the effect of extracts on spore germination, appressorium formation (in vitro) and AUDPC incidence and severity of disease (greenhouse) were in a factorial 5 x 3 (concentration x extraction methods) with five repetitions. Three extraction methods were simple aqueous, maceration and infusion and five concentrations were 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% of its extract. Also evaluated the phytoalexin synthesis in soybean cotyledons and the metabolic activity of tissue extracts of green bean, through the analysis of total proteins, enzyme phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and peroxidase and phenolic compounds. The concentrations of the aqueous extract of canola and mustard-ofindia more inhibited the germination of conidia and the formation of appressoria E. polygoni, as well as the severity of powdery mildew were 9 and 12%. In general, all methods of preparation of the extracts were effective in controlling powdery mildew, but those who stood out were simple aqueous and macerated. The simple aqueous extracts of canola and mustard -of-india 9%, were both effective in inhibiting spore germination and in controlling the severity of powdery mildew, equaling the commercial fungicide. This behavior shows that there was effect of voléteis compounds fungitoxic action and may have occurred direct effect, with fungistatic action. It may have also been induced resistance through the activation of POX, SOD and PAL enzymes, resulting in the accumulation of phenolic compounds and phytoalexins.

Orientadores: Stanley Robson de Medeiros Oliveira, Carlos Alberto Alves Meira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Agrícola / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T23:34:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Megeto_GuilhermeAugustoSilva_M.pdf: 5556599 bytes, checksum: c545e13e7ec81e96cf9e6a3e46d01de2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A ferrugem asiática, causada pelo fungo Phakopsora pachyrhizi, atualmente é considerada uma das doenças mais importantes e agressivas da soja. A principal forma de controle é a aplicação calendarizada de fungicidas a qual desconsidera o risco de ocorrência da doença. Estudos epidemiológicos buscam compreender os fatores que influenciam na ocorrência e desenvolvimento das epidemias, especialmente aqueles relacionados ao ambiente tais como condições meteorológicas. Com o avanço da tecnologia da informação e do armazenamento de dados, técnicas de mineração de dados (data mining) apresentam-se promissoras para a descoberta de conhecimento em bases de dados epidemiológicos. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar a influência da chuva e da temperatura na ocorrência da ferrugem asiática da soja utilizando árvores de decisão. Para tal, foram obtidos dados de ocorrências da doença em quatro safras, de 2007/2008 a 2010/2011, oriundos do banco de dados do Consórcio Antiferrugem, e dados meteorológicos, provenientes do sistema Agritempo. A análise exploratória dos dados permitiu obter subsídios para compor o conjunto de dados final e definir o escopo deste trabalho, buscando-se características intrínsecas à doença e sua interação com o ambiente, utilizando apenas variáveis de base meteorológica. As variáveis utilizadas foram relacionadas à precipitação e à temperatura, que deram origem a nove atributos avaliados para cada período temporal...Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital / Abstract: The Asian soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi, is now considered one of the most important and aggressive diseases of soybean. The main form of control is the scheduled application of fungicides which disregards the the risk of disease occurrence. Epidemiological studies seek to understand the factors that influence the occurrence and development of epidemics, especially those related to the environment such as weather conditions. With the development of information technology and data warehousing, data mining techniques appear to be promising for knowledge discovery in epidemiological databases. This study aims to evaluate the influence of rainfall and temperature on the occurrence of soybean rust by using decision trees models. To accomplish that, data of the occurence of the disease were collected from four seasons, 2007/2008 to 2010/2011, from the Consórcio Antiferrugem and weather data from the Agritempo system. Exploratory data analysis allowed for obtaining subsidies to generate the final data set and define the scope of this work, seeking intrinsic characteristics of the disease and its interaction with the environment, using only meteorological variables. The variables used were related to precipitation and temperature, resulting into nine attributes evaluated in different periods. Such attributes were related to the event of occurrence (Oc) and non occurrence (NaoOc) of the disease (assumed as the thirtieth day prior to the event of occurrence). The results include a predictive model and an interpretive model for classifying events of occurrences and non occurrences of the disease...Note: The complete abstract is available with the full electronic document / Mestrado / Planejamento e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentável / Mestre em Engenharia Agrícola

The two-spotted spider mite (TSM), Tetranychus urticae Koch, is an important pest of many greenhouse and field crops worldwide. The development of resistance in TSM populations to chemical acaricides, allied with public health concerns about pesticide residues, has motivated the search for alternative control measures to suppress the pest. Hyphomycetous fungi are promising agents for mite control and the fungus Beauveria bassiana (Bb) (Balsamo) Vuillemin was investigated in this study as a biocontrol agent. The principal objectives of this study comprised: a) screening Bb strains for their pathogenicity against T. urticae; b) testing the effect of adjuvants on the efficacy of Bb; c) studying the effect of plant type on persistence of Bb and the efficacy of control of Bb against T. urticae; d) evaluating the field efficacy of Bb applications against T. urticae; e) testing the compatibility of Bb with selected fungicides; and f) assessing the synergy between Bb and soluble silicon for T. urticae control. Screening bioassays of sixty-two strains of Bb identified the two most effective strains, PPRI 7315 (R289) and PPRI 7861 (R444), that caused mortality levels of more than 80% of adult mites at 9 d post-inoculation with 2 × 108 conidia ml-1. These strains performed significantly better than the Bb commercial strain PPRI 5339, in laboratory bioassays. The two strains also attacked mite eggs, causing 53.4% and 55.5% reduction in egg hatchability at 2 × 108 conidia ml-1 respectively. However, PPRI 7861 showed relatively higher production of conidia in culture and was, therefore, selected for further trials under greenhouse and field conditions. Greenhouse evaluations of the effects of two adjuvants (Break-thru® and a paraffin oil-based emulsion) on efficacy of Bb demonstrated a higher efficacy of the biocontrol agent (BCA) when it was applied with Break-thru® or the oil solution than with water alone. Moreover, Bb conidia applied in Break-thru® solution resulted in greater control of TSM than conidia applied in the mineral oil. There was also a dose-response effect and the control of TSM by Bb increased when the concentration of conidia was increased. The control of TSM by Bb in beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L), cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) was tested in greenhouse trials. On these crops, the persistence of conidia declined over time. The rate of decline was significantly higher on maize. However, TSM mortality was positively correlated with the amount of conidia deposited on leaves immediately after spraying, rather than their persistence over time. Higher levels of mortality of TSM due to Bb application were observed on beans, cucumber and eggplants, suggesting that the type of crop must be taken into consideration when Bb is applied as a BCA. Field efficacy of Bb against mites was evaluated in two trials on eggplants. Based on assessment of population densities of mites and leaf damage assessments; both trials showed that the strain PPRI 7861 controlled TSM in the field. Two commonly used fungicides, azoxystrobin and flutriafol, were investigated in vitro tests on culture medium and laboratory bioassays on detached bean leaves (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for their effects on Bb. Azoxystrobin (a strobilurin) was less harmful to Bb while flutriafol was found to be inhibitory. Another important finding of this study was the substantial enhancement of Bb efficacy by soluble silicon. When Bb was combined with soluble Si, the control of TSM was better than when either of the two products was applied alone. Moreover, application of soluble Si as a plant fertilizer in hydroponic water nutrient increased accumulation of peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzymes in leaves of plants infested with TSM. Increased activity of these defense enzymes in leaves deters feeding behaviour of mites. We suggested that feeding stress renders them susceptible to Bb infection, which would explain the synergy observed between the two agents. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.