Effect of biocontrol activity on different plant species by Pseudomonas oryzihabitans and Xenorhabdus nematophila against Pythium damping-off

摘要

Entomopathogenic bacteria are vectored by steinernematid and heterorhabtitid nematodes into insects, where they produce broad-spectrum antibiotics. Pseudomonas (=Flavimonas) oryzihabitans and Xenorhabdus nematophila have been reported to offer a promising approach for managing seedling damping-off diseases. Different experimental approaches showed that entomopathogenic bacterial strains (P. oryzihabitans and X. nematophila) are capable of controlling Pythium and Fusarium mycelial growth in vitro andin planta (Kapsalis et al. 2003; Vagelas et al. 2004). In vitro assays indicated production of substances which inhibit growth of the fungi by both biocontrol agents. The aim of this research was to investigate whether biological soil treatment could effectively control cotton, tomato and radish seedling diseases.