An improved bioassay for screening bacteria for biocontrol activity against slugs that avoids volatile-induced slug mortality.

摘要

A strain of Stenotrophomonas maltophila previously thought to have molluscicidal activity was tested using a standard bioassay. Initial results on host range and dose response were promising. However, slug mortality was induced by volatile compounds released from the decaying food rather than by infection. We propose a modification of the bioassay that avoids this problem.