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Evaluation of native rhizosphere bacteria for use as biological control agents against Pythium aphanidermatum root rot of European greenhouse cucumbers

Thirty-two isolates of rhizosphere bacteria, selected for their ability to inhibit zoospore germination and/or mycelial growth of Pythium aphanidermatum (Pa) in vitro, were evaluated in a test tube bioassay using cucumber c.v. 'Straight 8'. These isolates were identified as Psedudomonas corrugata (Pc13 or 35) and P. fluorescens (Pf15, 16 or 27). All but one of the five isolates effectively colonised the roots of cucumber plants in short term studies. Isolates 15 and 35 were found to maintain high population densities throughout the time period. Pa-inoculated plants treated with the Pc13 or Pf15 produced fruit yields equal to 92 and 74% respectively of the control (no Pa, no bacteria). Pa-inoculated plants without bacteria yielded only 46% of the control. In the fall crop, Pa-inoculated plants treated with Pc13 or Pf15 yielded 52 and 47% of the control compared to Pa-only treatment, which yielded 12.5% of the control. In both crops, treatment with any of the bacterial isolates resulted in significantly reduced cull rates compared to the Pa-only treatment.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.56660
Date January 1992
CreatorsRankin, Lynda
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageMaster of Science (Department of Plant Science.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001304976, proquestno: AAIMM80435, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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