ISHS Acta Horticulturae 695: I International Symposium on Tomato Diseases
PERSISTENCE OF BACTERIOPHAGES AS BIOCONTROL AGENTS IN THE TOMATO CANOPY |
| Authors: | B. Balogh, J.B. Jones, M.T. Momol, S.M. Olson |
| Keywords: | Lycopersicon esculentum, biological control, Xanthomonas, survival |
| Abstract:
Bacteriophages are currently used for controlling bacterial spot of tomato incited by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria. However, the efficacy of phage is greatly reduced due to its short residual activity on plant foliage. Phage persistence on the tomato canopy was monitored in the greenhouse and in the field in response to application timing, irrigation method and use of protective formulations. Commercial phage mixtures were sprayed on tomato plants and later the phages were recovered and enumerated by leaf-wash and subsequent plaque count assay. Phages could be recovered from the canopy up to 2 and 4 days after application under field and greenhouse conditions, respectively. The reduction in phage populations occurred mainly during daytime. While population reduction was 0 to 50-fold at night, it was up to 4 log during the day. Overhead irrigation significantly reduced the phage populations compared to drip irrigation. Protective formulations retarded phage reduction caused by the overhead irrigation and resulted in up to 4-log and 3-log units higher populations under greenhouse and field conditions, respectively. | |
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