Isolation and characterization of epiphytic fungi from the phyllosphere ofapple as potential biocontrol agents against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis)
M. Fiss et al., Isolation and characterization of epiphytic fungi from the phyllosphere ofapple as potential biocontrol agents against apple scab (Venturia inaequalis), Z PFLANZENK, 107(1), 2000, pp. 1-11
Citations number
38
Categorie Soggetti
Plant Sciences
Journal title
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR PFLANZENKRANKHEITEN UND PFLANZENSCHUTZ-JOURNAL OF PLANT DISEASES AND PROTECTION
From the phyllosphere of an apple orchard in North Germany ("Altes Land"),
which had been transferred to management without pesticide treatments 10 ye
ars ago, 107 epiphytic fungi were isolated within the season 1995. The obse
rvation of a relatively high number of antagonistic interactions within the
fungal community of this non-sprayed apple phylloplane suggested exploitat
ion of natural antagonists for biological control of apple scab. This conce
pt was further supported by che finding of 25 antagonists of the apple scab
pathogen in an in vitro screening. Among them, six isolates of Auerobasidi
um Botrytis, Cladosporium, Epicoccum and Fusarium inhibited mycelial growth
or Venturia inaequalis (Coolie) G. Winter more than 80 % and conidial germ
ination more than 50 %/. When applied to apple seedlings 24 h prior to inoc
ulation with V. inaequalis, eight isolates effectively suppressed scab to a
level comparable to the fungicide control. As these effective fungi of the
class Hyphomycetes had no adverse effects on the plant, they are suggested
as potential biocontrol agents against V. inaequalis in its biotrophic pha
se.