The potential use ofcomposted wood fibre waste （WFW） for the cultivation of bacterial antagonists of Sclerotinia minor was examined with the result that a mix of millet seed （20% w/w） and WFW, suitably amended wit...The potential use ofcomposted wood fibre waste （WFW） for the cultivation of bacterial antagonists of Sclerotinia minor was examined with the result that a mix of millet seed （20% w/w） and WFW, suitably amended with nutrients, proved to be an ideal matrix for the growth of some of these bacteria. Densities in terms ofcfu＇s ranged from 8.5 IOgl0 cfu/g dw to 10.5 logl0 cfu/g dw ullder sterile conditions after 14 days incubation. Lower population densities of the antagonists were achieved under non-sterile conditions in the compost： millet mix of between 7.9-9.3 logm cfu/g dw at the same period. However, when applied in a pot （glasshouse） trial to protect against S. minor, the millet seed appeared to stimulate the growth of this pathogen resulting in a high incidence of attack of lettuce plants after 2-3 weeks. Although the percentage of healthy seedlings increased following application of compost mix grown antagonists （at a rate of 5% v/v） when compared to the control treatment, these values were not statistically significant （p〉0.05） in most cases. Therefore, the use of millet seeds cannot be recommended as a nutrient supplement for the bacterial antagonist cultivation, if to be subsequently used to control fungal pathogens in the field.展开更多
文摘The potential use ofcomposted wood fibre waste （WFW） for the cultivation of bacterial antagonists of Sclerotinia minor was examined with the result that a mix of millet seed （20% w/w） and WFW, suitably amended with nutrients, proved to be an ideal matrix for the growth of some of these bacteria. Densities in terms ofcfu＇s ranged from 8.5 IOgl0 cfu/g dw to 10.5 logl0 cfu/g dw ullder sterile conditions after 14 days incubation. Lower population densities of the antagonists were achieved under non-sterile conditions in the compost： millet mix of between 7.9-9.3 logm cfu/g dw at the same period. However, when applied in a pot （glasshouse） trial to protect against S. minor, the millet seed appeared to stimulate the growth of this pathogen resulting in a high incidence of attack of lettuce plants after 2-3 weeks. Although the percentage of healthy seedlings increased following application of compost mix grown antagonists （at a rate of 5% v/v） when compared to the control treatment, these values were not statistically significant （p〉0.05） in most cases. Therefore, the use of millet seeds cannot be recommended as a nutrient supplement for the bacterial antagonist cultivation, if to be subsequently used to control fungal pathogens in the field.
