Characterizing the production of a wild-type and benomyl-resistant Fusarium lateritium for biocontrol of Eutypa lata on grapevine

Benomyl-resistant (BR) and wild-type (WT) strains of Fusarium lateritium we re examined for their tolerance to benomyl on potato dextrose agar (PDA) co ntaining benomyl and control of the Eutypa lata in grapevine bioassays, The WT strain grew on PDA containing 1 mug/ml benomyl at 13, 26 and 29 degrees C, The BR strain grew on PDA containing 10 mug/ml benomyl at 4 degreesC, on PDA containing 100 mug/ml benomyl at 29 degreesC, and on PDA containing 10 00 mug/ml benomyl at 13 degreesC and 26 degreesC, The BR strain was also ab le to colonize grapevine segments and control E. lata in the presence of 10 00 mug/ml benomyl. Both strains were amenable to production via liquid ferm entation and both achieved 100% control of E, lata in grapevine bioassays, Neither the duration of fermentation nor incubation temperature during grap evine bioassays influenced the efficacy of either strain against E, lata. T he results suggest that application of BR F. lateritium alone or in combina tion with benomyl may provide good control of E, lata.