BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FLAX SEEDLING BLIGHT DISEASE

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Plant Pathology Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt.

2 Department of Microbiology, Fac. Agrlc., Mansoura Unlv., Egypt.

3 Field Crop Research Institute, ARC, Giza, Egypt

Abstract

Antagonism between forty-two isolates of Bacillus spp, against two isolates of Rhlzoclonla solani and Fusarium oxysporum the casuals or flax seedling blight were studied in vitro. Nine strains from bacteria consistently showed high level of in vitro antagonism against the fungal isolates. Other strains were either ineffective or showed low level of antagonism. Bacillus strains showed different levels of efficiency In increasIng the surviving seedlings, yield and yield components and technological characters, however. two strains of Bacillus (No. 5 and 25) showed maximum efficiency under greenhouse and field conditions compared with the control. Fungicide Monceren Significantly Increased seedling survival and yield compared with Bacillus strains. A positive correlation was observed between seedling survival (stand) and each of straw yield and Its components. Thus, these bacterial biocontrol agents could be recommended in combination with the chemical fungicide Monceren as Integrated system for controlling R. solani and F. oxysporum in flax, and improving quality of straw yield.

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