Evaluation of mulberry phylloplane bacteria for biocontrol of Myrothecium leaf spot of mulberry caused by Myrothecium roridum
Abstract
In order to develop biological control of Myrothecium leaf spot (MLS) of mulberry caused by Myrothecium roridum, mulberry phylloplane bacteria were isolated and screened in vitro against the pathogen. Out of six-phylloplane bacterial strains three phylloplane bacterial strains exhibited antibiosis against M. roridum in vitro. Field efficacies of six phylloplane bacterial strains were tested in potted mulberry plants against MLS under inoculated condition. Twenty four hour old bacterial suspension (108 CFU/ml) of two Bacillus spp, three Micrococcus spp. and one Serratia sp. was sprayed 24 hr prior to inoculation of M. roridum conidial suspension (106 CFU/ml). All six phylloplane bacterial strains reduced MLS disease severity more than 44.5% even 30 days after inoculation.
