ISHS Acta Horticulturae 273: V International Workshop on Fireblight
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FIRE BLIGHT OF HAWTHORN |
| Authors: | M. Wilson, H.A.S. Epton, D.C. Sigee |
| Abstract:
Saprophytic bacteria isolated from the phylloplane of hawthorn were screened for antagonistic activity against Erwinia amylovora using the immature pear fruit assay. Antagonistic isolates were then tested for ability to control blossom-blight and shoot-blight of hawthorn. E. herbicola isolates EhWHL9 and EhWHL40 and P. syringae isolates PsHL83 and PsHL99 effectively controlled fire blight in hawthorn. Studies on the mechanism of blossom-blight control suggest that site and/or nutrient competition between the pathogen and the biological control agent may be of prime importance, but that the competitive advantage of the biological control agent may arise from its ability to produced an inhibitor in situ. Both the E. herbicola isolates and the P. syringae isolates produce a broad spectrum antibiotic in vitro, but it is not known whether these are the compounds involved in biological control. | |
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