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Plant Growth‐Promoting Bacteria from Solarized Soil with the Ability to Protect Melon Against Root Rot and Vine Decline Caused by Monosporascus cannonballus
Author(s) -
Antonelli Mariagrazia,
Reda Roberto,
Aleandri Maria Pia,
Varvaro Leonardo,
Chilosi Gabriele
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of phytopathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1439-0434
pISSN - 0931-1785
DOI - 10.1111/jph.12095
Subject(s) - biology , antibiosis , melon , root rot , horticulture , antagonism , pseudomonas syringae , bacteria , biological pest control , seed treatment , pathogen , inoculation , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , germination , biochemistry , genetics , receptor
Abstract This study was undertaken to isolate indigenous plant growth‐promoting ( PGP ) bacteria from solarized soil effective in the biocontrol of M onosporascus cannonballus, the cause of root rot and vine decline of melon, which is one of the most destructive soilborne diseases of this crop worldwide. The screening strategy resulted in the selection of two interesting PGP bacteria as biocontrol candidates against M. cannonballus belonging to the same microbial community. The two bacterial species, identified according to phenotypic, physiological tests and analysis of the 16 S r DNA sequence as Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens ( BsCR ) and Pseudomonas putida ( P p F 4), showed PGP traits and in vitro antagonistic activity towards M. cannonballus . Antagonism by BsCR was characterized by a consistent inhibition of the pathogen in vitro growth; P p F 4 strongly inhibited the development of perithecia of the pathogen. Under greenhouse conditions, the selected bacteria were tested for their biocontrol activity in the pathosystem melon‐ M. cannonballus . B s CR alone and in combination with P p F 4 determined a consistent decrease in the disease symptoms. BsCR and the combination of the bacterial strains significantly increased root biomass in both inoculated and un‐inoculated plant. Upon seed treatment with BsCR , the accumulation and isoenzyme induction of peroxidase in roots as biochemical marker for induction of resistance were found, thus indicating that BsCR may reduce the disease severity also by the activation of the plant defence responses. The study highlights the synergistic biocontrol potential of B. subtilis BsCR and P. putida P p F 4 in the integrated management of root rot and vine decline of melon caused by M. cannonballus .