THE ROLE OF PSEUDOMONAS SPP AND COMPETITION FOR CARBON, NITROGEN AND IRON IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF APPRESSORIUM FORMATION BY COLLETOTRICHUM-COCCODES ON VELVETLEAF
Wgd. Fernando et al., THE ROLE OF PSEUDOMONAS SPP AND COMPETITION FOR CARBON, NITROGEN AND IRON IN THE ENHANCEMENT OF APPRESSORIUM FORMATION BY COLLETOTRICHUM-COCCODES ON VELVETLEAF, European journal of plant pathology, 102(1), 1996, pp. 1-7
Colletotrichum coccodes is currently being investigated as a mycoherbi
cide against the weed velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti). Two isolates
of Pseudomonas spp. (Ps2 and Ps5) reduced the percentage of germ tubes
and increased appressorial formation of C. coccodes on detached leave
s of velvetleaf. A study was conducted to see whether this effect coul
d be attributed to competition for nutrients or iron between C. coccod
es and Pseudomonas spp. Ps2 and Ps5 had no effect on early spore germi
nation, but reduced the percentage of germ tubes at 24 and 30 h, compa
red to the nontreated control. This reduction was diminished by the ad
dition of nutrients but not Fe3+. Ps2 and Ps5 stimulated the formation
of dark-coloured appressoria without germ tubes (AWGT), but this stim
ulation was diminished by the addition of nutrients or Fe3+. Germ tube
branching at 30 h was also inhibited by the bacteria, but was not dim
inished by the addition of nutrients or iron. EDTA stimulated conidial
germination at 10 h, which was reduced by the addition of Fe3+. Howev
er, EDTA did not stimulate the formation of appressoria (AWGT). These
results suggest that the reduction in the percentage of germ tubes and
the increase in the percentage of appressoria induced by the bacteria
may be due to the competition for carbon or nitrogen. Iron competitio
n may also be involved in the stimulation of appressorial formation, b
ut not in the reduction in germ tube percentage and branching. Phyllop
lane bacteria may compete for carbon, nitrogen and iron, limiting the
saprophytic phase of the pathogen on the phylloplane and accelerating
the development of the parasitic phase. This may enhance the field eff
icacy of C. coccodes as a biocontrol agent against velvetleaf.