ISHS Acta Horticulturae 334: I International Pineapple Symposium
CONTROL OF PINEAPPLE DISEASES BY BACTERIAL ANTAGONISTS |
| Author: | C.Q. Torres |
| Keywords: | Ananas comosus, Phytophthora parasitica, P. cinnamomi, Pythium sp., Ceratocystis paradoxa, Triadimefon |
| Abstract:
To find biological control agents against pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) diseases, selected isolates of bacterial antagonists from pineapple roots and soils were tested. Cell suspensions (1 x 107 cells ml-1) of each isolate were used as a fruit dip (for Ceratocystis fruit rot), soil drench (for heart/root rot), or sprays (for fruit diseases). Several bacterial isolates significantly reduced heart/root rot and fruit diseases. We concluded that there are some naturally occurring bacterial antagonists that could be used as biological control agents against pineapple diseases. However, before the use of bacterial antagonists could be commercialized, two items must be worked out: 1) mass produce a stable isolate in a convenient formulated product; 2) bacteria must not be a hazard to humans. We are working on the identification of potential bacterial isolates and continuously testing selected isolates to determine their stability and effectiveness. | |
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