Evaluation of the antagonistic activity of some bacteria against melon soil-borne pathogens

• Published in: Journal of plant pathology Vol. 89; no. 3; p. S28
• Main Authors: Antonelli, M, Aleandri, M P, Vinci, N, Chilosi, G, Varvaro, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.12.2007
• Subjects: Bacillus; Erwinia carotovora; Fusarium oxysporum; Lycopersicon esculentum; Melonis; Monosporascus cannonballus; Pseudomonas putida; Rhizoctonia solani; Verticillium dahliae
• ISSN: 1125-4653

Repeated melon cropping and different soil sterilisation treatments cause a biological impoverishment of soil fertility and an increase of diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens. To develop effective and sustainable strategies for soil-borne pathogen management, we have sampled soils from plots given over to melon in the province of Viterbo and have isolated and selected fluorescent and spore-forming bacteria. These isolates, were characterized biochemically and tested for their in vitro activity against Monosporascus cannonballus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis, Rhizoctonia solani, Verticillium dahliae and Erwinia carotovora subsp. Carotovora, and for their ability to produce toxic volatile compounds (i.e. HCN). Bacterial isolates of Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescens and Bacillus spp. that gave positive responses were used for in vivo tests to verify their role as plant growth promoters or as deleterious rhizobacteria with plant growth inhibitory effects through bacterization of melon, lettuce and tomato seed. The bacterial isolates analysed during this study could be a potential tool for biological or integrated pest management programs for farmers in the area of Viterbo.