Abstract
SummaryTwo local isolates of the biocontrol agents Flavobacterium sp. [W5481 (a)] and Pantoea agglomerans (W5482) were tested on ‘Embul’ (Musa, AAB) banana, to determine their effects on crown rot pathogens [Colletotrichum musae and Botryodiplodia theobromae (Lasiodiplodia theobromae)]. Viable cell preparations reduced crown rot on banana hands, with live cells in distilled water more effective than those in spent culture media. Thin layer chromatography-bioassays showed that the antibiotics of Flavobacterium sp. were more potent than those of P. agglomerans, with Rf values from inhibited areas on the plates varying with the test fungus (C. musae, B. theobromae and Cladosporium cladosporioides). Autoclaving partially reduced the activity of cell-free culture medium (CFCM) on pathogen growth. Rot development on peel disks was suppressed by live cells, but not by CFCM. There were no rots with thiabendazole. In spite of the differences in antibiotic production by the antagonists, live cells of P. agglomerans suppressed crown rot to the greatest extent. Antibiosis did not completely explain the antagonism of the bacteria. Bioformulations reduced crown rot development, and were stable after at least 6 months of storage. Although not as effective as thiabendazole, the two local isolates have some potential for the biocontrol of banana pathogens.
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