Biological control of plant pathogens in the tropics
1992
Ko, W.H. (Hawaii Univ. at Manoa, Beaumont Agricultural Research Center, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (USA). Dept. of Plant Pathology)
Soil microbiostasis inactivates microorganisms added to soil. Deficiency of nutrients also prevents added microorganisms from producing antibiotics in soil. Moreover, these microorganisms are too far away to exert any influence against plant pathogens in nature. Therefore, even those antagonistic microorganisms which can produce dramatic zones of inhibition in the laboratory are generally ineffective in controlling plant pathogens in nature when added directly to soil. The concept of primitive and advanced pathogens (or parasites) is very useful in determining which biological control measure should be used for a specific pathogen. Coating seeds with antagonistic microorganisms and planting seeds in a small amount of virgin soil are more suitable for controlling primitive pathogens than advanced ones. On the other hand, screening for resistance, crop rotation and organic amendment are more suitable for controlling advanced patogens. Rotation with crops cultivated on flooded soil, searching for decay crops or antagonistic plants, amending soil with organic materials mixed with antagonistic microorganisms, and exploration of suppressive soil are considered promising approaches to biological control of plant pathogens in the tropics
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