Management of Verticillium Wilt of potato through the use of biological alternatives to chemical pesticides

Verticillium dahliae Klebahn is an economically important pathogen in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)-producing areas around the world. No single management practice provides consistent control of Verticillium Wilt of Potato. In this study, 18 bacteria and 4 plant extracts were tested for their potential biological control activity against Verticillium Wilt. Prior to biocontrol studies, two highly virulent V. dahliae (Vd1398-21 and Vd1396-9) out of 43 local isolates were first selected based on their higher pathogenicity. In vitro studies were then conducted to determine the efficacy of different bacteria in inhibiting the growth of the two V. dahliae isolates on two types of culture media. Three bacteria, S#l, W#2 (Rahnella aquatilis), and C#1 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) showed a high level of inhibition on the in vitro growth of the fungus. Pseudomonas fluorescens (DF#37) and B. pumilus (M#1) were included because of their previously reported ability to enhance plant defenses. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...