Biological Control of crazy root disease on hydroponically grown tomatoes using Pseudomonas strains
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Date
2019-03
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Abstract
Crazy root disease (CRD) caused by Agrobacterium rhizogenes is a problematic disease leading to substantial losses in marketable yield in hydroponically grown cucumbers (Cucumis sativus) and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). Growers use strict hygiene protocols and sanitation, relying on hydrogen peroxide and other sanitizers to clean the hydroponic system after disease outbreaks, however, this is an expensive and time-consuming process. Biological control is emerging as a possible solution to this troubling problem. Biological control is an environmentally sound and effective means of reducing or mitigating pests and diseases by employing the use of natural enemies. In this work, we have tested and identified numerous strains of Pseudomonas that can inhibit the growth of A. rhizogenes under in vitro and in planta conditions. In our in vitro experiments, 14 out of 52 different Pseudomonas strains were able to inhibit pathogen growth. In our, in planta experiments, we identified three different strains (1B1, 48G9, and 93G8) that were able to reduce disease incidence up to 95% on Kalanchoe and soybean. Pseudomonas treatments were able to reduce Agrobacterium rhizogenes numbers by nearly 1000-fold in soybean and 100-fold in tomato. On hydroponically grown tomatoes, 1B1 and 93G8 were able to reduce disease incidence by 80%, compared with the non-Pseudomonas control while stain 48G9 was able to reduce disease incidence by 50%. Our results suggest that certain Pseudomonas strains can inhibit A. rhizogenes growth and disease development under hydroponic conditions and can be a potential biocontrol agent for hydroponic growers in the future.
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Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (FAES): 3rd Place (The Ohio State University Edward F. Hayes Graduate Research Forum)
Keywords
Plant Pathology, biological control, Pseudomonas, Agrobacterium rhizogenes