BS 375 Lecture : Env Microbiology 10
Document Summary
Biocontrol: the use of microbes to control plant diseases or insects. A number of microbes have been used to control soil-borne and air-borne plant diseases caused by plant pathogens as well as nematode pests. In some cases, good success have been achieved by biological control. Two main approaches: eradication or reduction of inoculum, protection of introduced antagonists of fungi and bacteria. Under some situations, biocontrol can be used to reduce or eradicate pathogen inoculation. It is achieved through suppressive soils and hyperparasites. Several soil-borne pathogens e. g. fusarium oxysporum (vascular wilt) Phytophthora cinnamomi (root rot of fruits and trees) Cause several diseases in soils called conducive soils. Whereas they develop much less and cause milder diseases in other soils called suppressive soils. Suppressive soils added to conducive soils can reduce pathogen inoculum through antagonistic effect e. g. soil amendments with soil containing streptomyces sp. Antagonistic to streptomyces scabies (which cause potato scab disease)