Plant Growth‐Promoting Bacteria from Solarized Soil with the Ability to Protect Melon Against Root Rot and Vine Decline Caused by Monosporascus cannonballus. Issue 7 (8th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Antonelli, Mariagrazia; Reda, Roberto; Aleandri, Maria Pia; Varvaro, Leonardo; Chilosi, Gabriele
• Is Part Of: Journal of phytopathology. Volume 161:Issue 7/8(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 485
• Page End: 496
• Publication Date: 2013-03-08
• Subjects: Plant diseases -- Periodicals; 632
• DOI: 10.1111/jph.12095
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0931-1785

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jph12095-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This study was undertaken to isolate indigenous plant growth‐promoting (PGP) bacteria from solarized soil effective in the biocontrol of <italic>Monosporascus cannonballus, </italic> 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 <italic>M. cannonballus</italic> belonging to the same microbial community. The two bacterial species, identified according to phenotypic, physiological tests and analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence as <italic>Bacillus subtilis/amyloliquefaciens</italic> (BsCR) and <italic>Pseudomonas putida</italic> (PpF4), showed PGP traits and <italic>in vitro</italic> antagonistic activity towards <italic>M. cannonballus</italic>. Antagonism by BsCR was characterized by a consistent inhibition of the pathogen <italic>in vitro</italic> growth; PpF4 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‐<italic>M. cannonballus</italic>. BsCR alone and in combination with PpF4 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 <italic>B. subtilis </italic>BsCR and <italic>P. putida </italic>PpF4 in the integrated management of root rot and vine decline of melon caused by <italic>M. cannonballus</italic>.</p> </abstract>