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Biological control of Dutch elm disease by Pseudomonas species
Author(s) -
SCHEFFER R. J.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
annals of applied biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 80
eISSN - 1744-7348
pISSN - 0003-4746
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7348.1983.tb02736.x
Subject(s) - dutch elm disease , biology , ceratocystis , antagonism , inoculation , bacteria , ophiostoma , botany , pseudomonas , horticulture , ulmaceae , panonychus ulmi , microbiology and biotechnology , pest analysis , fungus , biochemistry , receptor , genetics , tetranychus urticae
SUMMARY Antagonism of a selected group of bacteria against Ophiostoma (=Ceratocystis) ulmi , the Dutch elm disease pathogen, was determined on agar media. Four promising bacterial isolates, all fluorescent Pseudomonads , were used for field experiments and for further tests on in vitro antagonism against several fungi. It was shown that only slight differences existed in antagonism against different O. ulmi isolates. Also Ceratocystis fagacearum and C. fimbriata were inhibited similarly to O. ulmi. In field experiments bacteria were applied to elm trees by low pressure injection or by injection with a specially developed ‘gouge‐pistol’. Elms treated only with bacteria remained healthy throughout two growing seasons. Elms inoculated with O. ulmi developed severe Dutch elm disease symptoms. Trees, inoculated first with O. ulmi and treated subsequently with bacteria also developed severe Dutch elm disease symptoms. Trees treated with bacteria first and inoculated subsequently with O. ulmi showed significantly fewer symptoms, especially those where treatments were carried out with the gouge‐pistol.