Antagonism of Bacillus thuringiensis to phytopathogenic micromicetes as pathogens of apple trees

Abstract

Antagonistic microorganisms, producing bactericidal and fungicidal substances, spread in space and occupy various ecological niches. Antagonistic action of microorganisms can be combined with a number of other properties that can be used by humans for their own purposes. Microorganisms — agents of biological products often have a multifunctional effect on the components of the agroecosystem, which under the influence of various environmental factors could have positive and negative consequences. The aim of the study was to study the effect of new highly active entomopathogenic strains of Bacillus thuringiensis on non-target objects — components of the biocenosis of the apple orchard. When developing technologies for biocontrol of the number of apple trees pests using B. thuringiensis revealed an additional positive protective effect — reducing the number of pathogens of fungal diseases on the leaf surface. Treatment of apple leaves with a liquid culture of strain B. thuringiensis 0376 after 72 hours of application reduced the number of scab of Fusicladium dendriticum by 7 times, and the pathogen of monolisis of Monilia fructigena — 9 times. Strain B. thuringiensis 0371 showed the highest level of antagonism, because in vitro completely inhibited the growth and development of micromycetes on the surface of the nutrient medium. On the leaf surface, the application of culture strain 0371 reduced the number of Fusicladium dendriticum by 92%, and Monilia fructigena — by 86% after 72 hours of treatment. In a field experiment when treating apple trees with a culture of this strain, scab development decreased by 7.1%. Strain B. thuringiensis 787 did not show antagonism against phytopathogenicmicromycetes during co-cultivation on nutrient medium, which may be explained by its inability to produce water-soluble exotoxin, in contrast to strains of B. thuringiensis, which are antagonists of scab and apple monolisis. Strain B. thuringiensis 0371 requires further research and development of its formulations, because it is promising for the creation of a complex biological product with insect-fungicidal properties for use in ecological and agriculture friendly technologies.