Role of biotic factors in the control of soil-borne fungi by fluorescent pseudomonads

Abstract

Several biological agents isolated from the rhizosphere of cabbage plants were shown to be able to attack antagonistic strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Bdellovibrio sp. formed plaques on layers of Ps. fluorescens cultivated on a yeast extract-peptone medium; on the other hand, addition of fluorescent pseudomonads increased the population of Bdellovibrio sp. in rhizosphere soil. Non-identified protozoa and nematode species were shown to feed on Ps. fluorescens grown on artificial media.