SUPPRESSION OF BOTRYTIS-CINEREA CAUSING GREY MOLD DISEASE OF GRAPE VINE (VITIS-VINIFERA) AND ITS PECTINOLYTIC ACTIVITIES BY A SOIL BACTERIUM

Botrytis cinerea was found to be pathogenic to grapevine, producing ch aracteristic grey mould symptoms within 7 days of inoculation into vit roplants. An endospore forming bacterial strain (GI 070), Bacillus cir culans, was found to be antagonist against this disease causing fungus . Under laboratory conditions the bacterial culture or its filtrate br ings about complete suppression of the fungus in Petri-dishes and the grey mould symptoms on grapevine vitroplants. Pectinolytic activities (Polygalacaturonase, Pectin lyases) of Botrytis cinerea were also infl uenced by these bacteria. Details of the fungal parasite, its biologic al control and its pectinolytic activities are discussed in this artic le.