Showing papers on "Rhizoctonia solani published in 2000"

Control of soilborne plant pathogens by incorporating fresh organic amendments followed by tarping

Abstract: A new method for the control of soilborne plant pathogens was tested for its efficacy in two field experiments during two years. Plots were amended with fresh broccoli or grass (3.4 to 4.0 kg fresh weight m(-2)) or left nonamended, and covered with an airtight plastic cover (0.135 mm thick) or left noncovered. In plots amended with broccoli or grass and covered with plastic sheeting, anaerobic and strongly reducing soil conditions developed quickly, as indicated by rapid depletion of oxygen and a decrease in redox potential values to as low as -200 mV. After 15 weeks, survival of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi, Rhizoctonia solani, and Verticillium dahliae in inoculum samples buried 15 cm deep was strongly reduced in amended, covered plots in both experiments. The pathogens were not or hardly inactivated in amended, noncovered soil or nonamended, covered soil. The latter indicates that thermal inactivation due to increased soil temperatures under the plastic cover was not involved in pathogen inactivation. The results show the potential for this approach to control various soilborne pathogens and that it may serve as an alternative to chemical soil disinfestation for high-value crops under conditions where other alternatives, such as solarization or soil flooding, are not effective or not feasible.

Induction of terpenoid synthesis in cotton roots and control of Rhizoctonia solani by seed treatment with Trichoderma virens. [Erratum: 2003 Dec., v. 93, no. 12, p. 1606.]

Abstract: Research on the mechanisms employed by the biocontrol agent Trichoderma virens to suppress cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedling disease incited by Rhizoctonia solani has shown that mycoparasitism and antibiotic production are not major contributors to successful biological control. In this study, we examined the possibility that seed treatment with T. virens stimulates defense responses, as indicated by the synthesis of terpenoids in cotton roots. We also examined the role of these terpenoid compounds in disease control. Analysis of extracts of cotton roots and hypocotyls grown from T. virens-treated seed showed that terpenoid synthesis and peroxidase activity were increased in the roots of treated plants, but not in the hypocotyls of these plants or in the untreated controls. Bioassay of the terpenoids for toxicity to R. solani showed that the pathway intermediates desoxyhemigossypol (dHG) and hemigossypol (HG) were strongly inhibitory to the pathogen, while the final product gossypol (G) was toxic only at a much higher concentration. Strains of T. virens and T. koningii were much more resistant to HG than was R. solani, and they thoroughly colonized the cotton roots. A comparison of biocontrol efficacy and induction of terpenoid synthesis in cotton roots by strains of T. virens, T. koningii, T. harzianum, and protoplast fusants indicated that there was a strong correlation (+0.89) between these two phenomena. It, therefore, appears that induction of defense response, particularly terpenoid synthesis, in cotton roots by T. virens may be an important mechanism in the biological control by this fungus of R. solani-incited cotton seedling disease.

Induction of Terpenoid Synthesis in Cotton Roots and Control of Rhizoctonia solani by Seed Treatment with Trichoderma virens.

Abstract: Research on the mechanisms employed by the biocontrol agent Trichoderma virens to suppress cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) seedling disease incited by Rhizoctonia solani has shown that mycopar...

Synthesis and fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani of 2-alkyl (Alkylthio)-5-pyrazolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles (Thiadiazoles).

Abstract: Some series of 2-alkyl (alkythio)-5-((4-chloro)-3-ethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-yl)-1,3, 4-oxadiazoles (thiadiazoles) were prepared as potential fungicides. Their fungicidal activity was evaluated against rice sheath blight, which is a major disease of rice in China. Structure-activity relationships for the screened compounds were evaluated and discussed. It was found that 5-(4-chloro-3-ethyl-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-5-yl)-1,3, 4-thiadiazole-2-thione has the higher fungicidal activity.

Structure, production characteristics and fungal antagonism of tensin – a new antifungal cyclic lipopeptide from Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 96.578

Abstract: Aim: To study the antagonistic activity by Pseudomonas fluorescens strain 96.578 on the plant pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani. Methods and Results: Strain 96.578 produced a new cyclic lipopeptide, tensin. High tensin production per cell was detected in liquid media with glucose, mannitol or glutamate as growth substrate while fructose, sucrose and asparagine supported low production. Tensin production was nearly constant in media with different initial C levels, while low initial N contents reduced production. When applied to sugar beet seeds, strain 96.578 produced tensin during seed germination. When challenged with strain 96.578 or purified tensin, Rhizoctonia solani reduced radial mycelium extension but increased branching and rosette formation. Conclusion: The antagonistic activity of strain 96.578 towards Rhizoctonia solani was caused by tensin. Significance and Impact of the Study: When coated onto sugar beet seeds, tensin production by strain 96.578 could be of significant importance for inhibition of mycelial growth and seed infection by Rhizoctonia solani.

Agrobacterium-mediated engineering for sheath blight resistance of indica rice cultivars from different ecosystems

Abstract: A concise T-DNA element was engineered containing the rice class-I chitinase gene expressed under the control of CaMV35S and the hygromycin phosphotransferase gene (hph) as a selectable marker. The binary plasmid vector pNO1 with the T-DNA element containing these genes of interest was mobilized to Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 to act as an efficient donor of T-DNA in the transformation of three different indica rice cultivars from different ecosystems. Many morphologically normal, fertile transgenic plants from these rice cultivars were generated after Agrobacterium-mediated transformation using 3-week-old scutella calli as initial explants. Stable integration, inheritance and expression of the chimeric chitinase gene were demonstrated by Southern blot and Western blot analysis of the transformants. Bioassay data showed that transgenic plants can restrict the growth of the sheath blight pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Bioassay results were correlated with the molecular analysis. Although we obtained similar results upon DNA-mediated transformation, this report shows the potential of the cost-effective, simple Agrobacterium system for genetic manipulation of rice cultivars with a pathogenesis-related (PR) gene.

Enzyme diffusion from Trichoderma atroviride (= T. harzianum P1) to Rhizoctonia solani is a prerequisite for triggering of Trichoderma ech42 gene expression before mycoparasitic contact.

Abstract: A plate confrontation experiment is commonly used to study the mechanism by which Trichoderma spp. antagonize and parasitize other fungi. Previous work with chitinase gene expression (ech42) during the precontact period of this process in which cellophane and dialysis membranes separated Trichoderma harzianum and its host Rhizoctonia solani resulted in essentially opposite results. Here, we show that cellophane membranes are permeable to proteins up to at least 90 kDa in size but that dialysis membranes are not. ech42 was expressed during the precontact stage of the confrontation between Trichoderma atroviride and its host only if the cellophane was placed between the two fungi. These results are consistent with enzyme diffusion from T. atroviride to R. solani generating the trigger of ech42 gene expression.

Biological Control of Cyclamen Soilborne Diseases by Serratia marcescens Strain B2.

Abstract: Cyclamen plants were treated with a highly chitinolytic bacterium, Serratia marcescens strain B2, and then challenge inoculated with Rhizoctonia solani sclerotia or Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cyclaminis conidia. The bacterium suppressed these fungal diseases of cyclamen plants, especially the damping off caused by R. solani, in a greenhouse. Strain B2 survived at approximately 106 to 107 CFU/g in soil for 4 months after the initial application under greenhouse conditions. Chitinolytic enzymes and antifungal low-molecular-weight compounds were present in filtrates of S. marcescens B2, which suppressed germination of R. solani sclerotia in vitro.

Biological control of root rot-root knot disease complex of tomato.

Abstract: Efficacy of Pseudomonas aeruginosa alone or in combination with Paecilomyces lilacinus was evaluated in the control of root-knot nematode and root-infecting fungi under laboratory and field conditions. Ethyl acetate extract (1 mg/ml) of P. lilacinus and P. aeruginosa,respectively, caused 100 and 64% mortality of Meloidogyne javanica larvae after 24 h. Ethyl acetate fractions of biocontrol agents were more effective than hexane extracts in the suppression of M. javanica larvae, indicating that active nematicidal compounds are intermediary in polarity. In field experiments, biocontrol fungus and bacterium significantly suppressed soilborne root-infecting fungi including Macrophomina phaseolina, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani and Meloidogyne javanica, the root-knot nematode. P. lilacinus parasitized eggs and female of M. javanica and this parasitism was not significantly influenced in the presence of P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa was reisolated from the inner root tissues of tomato, whereas P. lilacinusdid not colonize tomato roots.

Introduction of the Serratia marcescens chiA gene into an endophytic Pseudomonas fluorescens for the biocontrol of phytopathogenic fungi.

Abstract: An endophytic strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens was isolated from micropropagated apple plantlets and introduced into beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) via their root tips. It was shown to be present as an endophyte in the roots at a level of 1.2 × 105 CFU/g fresh weight. The gene coding for the major chitinase of Serratia marcescens, chiA, was cloned under the control of the tac promoter into the broad-host-range plasmid pKT240 and the integration vector pJFF350. Pseudomonas fluorescens carrying tacchiA either on the plasmid or integrated into the chromosome is an effective biocontrol agent of the phytopathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani on bean seedlings under plant growth chamber conditions.Key words: endophyte, biological control, chitinase.

Reduction of verticillium wilt symptoms in cotton following seed treatment with Trichoderma virens.

Abstract: Strains of Trichoderma virens that control damping-off of cotton seedlings caused by either Pythium ultimum or Rhizoctonia solani were tested for their ability to induce resistance to Verticillium wilt. Cotton seeds were treated with dried preparations of T. virens and planted in field soil. Plants with six true leaves were inoculated with Verticillium dahliae by stem puncture. After 10 d, plants were rated for Verticillium wilt symptoms and plant heights measured. Two strains of T. virens significantly reduced (alpha = 0.05) the disease-severity ratings in V. dahliae-inoculated plants of two cotton cultivars, Rowden and Deltapine 50. This result indicated that T. virens may induce a systemic resistance response in cotton, but concentrations of terpenoid phytoalexins in stele extracts were not significantly different in V. dahliae-inoculated plants that had been treated with the T. virens when compared with plants treated with the carrier alone. In the absence of Verticillium, plants treated with the G-4 isolate of T. virens were significantly taller than control plants treated without T. virens. This result indicates that some strains of T. virens may have growth-promoting activity.

Occurrence and Pathogenicity of Fungi Associated with Melon Root Rot and Vine Decline in California.

Abstract: The occurrence of fungi associated with root rot and vine decline of melon (Cucumis melo) in commercial fields in California was surveyed over 3 years. The fungi most frequently isolated from discolored vascular tissue or root rot were Acremonium cucurbitacearum, Rhizopycnis vagum, Monosporascus cannonballus, Fusarium solani, Macrophomina phaseolina, Pythium spp., and Verticillium dahliae. The frequency of isolation of the various fungi varied with root symptomology. Pythium spp., and M. phaseolina were frequently associated with a wet, brownish root rot, while A. cucurbitacearum, R. vagum, and Rhizoctonia solani were generally associated with a dry, corky root rot. Presence of Monosporascus cannonballus was associated both with a wet, brownish rot as well as with discrete, reddish, corky lesions. The frequency of isolation of a given pathogen varied with geographic location, with M. cannonballus present only in the southern production areas, while A. cucurbitacearum and Rhizopycnis vagum were most common in the northern production areas. In pathogenicity tests in field microplots, M. cannonballus caused vine collapse and severe root rot of cantaloupe, reducing root length density by 93%. California isolates of R. vagum and A. cucurbitacearum, although only weakly pathogenic in field microplots, caused root discoloration and reduced vine growth in greenhouse tests. Reduction in dry weight of greenhouse-grown cantaloupe was 40, 23, and 39% for R. vagum, A. cucurbitacearum, and M. cannonballus, respectively.

Growth inhibition of plant pathogenic fungi by hydroxy fatty acids

Abstract: Hydroxy fatty acids are plant self-defense substances (Masui et al, Phytochemistry1989). Three types of hydroxy fatty acids: 10-hydroxystearic acid (HSA), 7S,10S-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid (DOD), and 12,13,17-trihydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (THOA) were tested against the following plant pathogenic fungi: Erysiphe graminis f sp tritici (common disease name, wheat powdery mildew); Puccinia recondita (wheat leaf rust); Pseudocercosporella herpotrichoides (wheat foot rot); Septoria nodorum (wheat glume blotch); Pyricularia grisea (rice blast); Rhizoctonia solani (rice sheath blight); Phytophthora infestans (potato late blight); and Botrytis cinerea (cucumber botrytis). At a concentration of 200 ppm, both HSA and DOD showed no fungal disease control activity. However, THOA at the same concentration showed weak activity and provided disease control (percent) of the following plant pathogenic fungi: Erysiphe graminis 77%; Puccinia recondita 86%; Phytophthora infestans 56%; and Botrytis cinerea 63%. The position of the hydroxy groups on the fatty acids seems to play an important role in activity against specific fungi. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 24, 275–276.

Parasitism of Rhizoctonia solani by strains of Trichoderma spp.

Abstract: Rhizoctonia solani causes serious diseases in a wide range of plant species. The fungus Trichoderma has been shown to be particularly effective in the control of the pathogen. Thus, this research was carried out to screen fourteen Trichoderma strains against R. solani in vitro. All strains tested inhibited the growth of R. solani. Three T. koningii strains produced toxic metabolites with strong activity against R. solani, inhibiting the mycelial growth by 79%. T. harzianum, Th-9 reduced the viability of sclerotia of R. solani by 81.8% and T. koningii, TK-5 reduced by 53%. Electron microscopic observations revealed that all T. harzianum strains interacted with R. solani. Th-9 grew toward and coiled around the host cells, penetrating and destroying the hyphae. Penetration of host cells was apparently accomplished by mechanical activity.

Antifungal properties of some herb decoctions.

Abstract: The antifungal activities of four spice decoctions (sage, wild thyme, oregano and savory) which grow wild in Turkey against six moulds (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli, Macrophomina phaseoli, Botrytis cinerea, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria solani and Aspergillus parasiticus) were tested for fungistatic and fungicidal activity in vitro. Decoctions were added at 5% and 10% levels to 250 ml culture medium. The results showed that the decoctions investigated varied in their antifungal activity. Sage had weak activity, whilst wild thyme, oregano and savory were active against all moulds tested. All test fungi were completely inhibited by both of the concentrations of wild thyme and the 10% level of oregano decoctions in all the incubation periods. It was concluded that some decoctions may be useful as mould inhibitors at food additive levels.

Suppressive activity of some glucosinolate enzyme degradation products on Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani in sterile soil

Abstract: Glucosinolate degradation products (GLDPs), mainly isothiocyanates, obtained by myrosinase-catalysed hydrolysis of glucosinolates (GLs), are an important group of natural bioactive substances. The fungitoxic activity of four GLDPs, chosen on the basis of their side-chain structures, was assayed against Pythium irregulare and Rhizoctonia solani. The effectiveness of the degradation products (DPs) of sinigrin (alkenyl GL), epi-progoitrin (hydroxy-alkenyl GL), glucoiberin and glucoerucin (thiofunctionalised GLs) in inhibiting P irregulare oospore germination and R solani soil colonisation were tested in a closed system, using an artificially infected soil. The fungitoxic activity of these GLDPs varied according to their side-chain structure. As in previous in vitro studies, the thiofunctionalised GLDPs were found the most effective, producing complete inhibition of P irregulare oospore germination (0.01 µmole g−1 soil) and R solani soil colonisation (0.5 µmole g−1 soil), but even sinigrin DP showed a fungitoxic activity higher than that of epi-progoitrin DP. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry

Characterization by conventional techniques and PCR of Rhizoctonia solani isolates causing banded leaf sheath blight in maize

Abstract: Rhizoctonia-diseased specimens were collected from various host species growing in or near maize fields in different geographic regions of the Philippines. A greater range of host species, with varying types of disease symptoms, was found in Mindanao than in Luzon. Fifty-two isolates belonged to anastomosis group AG1-IA and caused banded leaf and sheath blight in maize (Zea mays), but they showed considerable variation in virulence. The most and least virulent isolates recovered from maize were both collected from Mindanao. Isolates from necrotic spots/foliar blight of durian and coffee, which were collected from the same region, showed the lowest lesion heights. UPGMA-SAHN clustering analysis from RAPD fingerprint data of 30 haplotypes of R. solani AG1-IA isolates from the Philippines and Japan resolved seven groups of AG1-IA at the 75% similarity level. Variation among isolates from upland crops seemed to be partially correlated with geographical origin and virulence. In the case of paddy rice isolates from Japan and the Philippines, some were closely related, with over 75% similarity, suggesting a common origin. In PCR-RFLP analysis of the rDNA internal transcribed spacer region, no polymorphism was observed among the AG1-IA isolates but they were differentiated from subgroups AG1-IB and AG1-IC using the endonucleases EcoRI, MboI and HinfI.

Comparison of rDNA-ITS Sequences between Potato and Tobacco Strains in Rhizoctonia solani AG-3

Abstract: Genetic diversity among 51 isolates of Rhizoctonia solani AG-3, representing potato and tobacco populations, was inferred from the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 5.8S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. The 5.8S rDNA sequence was completely conserved not only in AG-3, but across all the AG isolates examined, whereas the rDNA-ITS sequence was found to be variable among the isolates. The nucleotide sequence similarity in the ITS 1 region was high (96-100%) for isolates within each of the two populations, but was 91-92% for isolates from different populations. The AG-3 isolates had 56 to 91% sequence similarities in the ITS 1 region with R. solani isolates of the other AGs. Phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS-5.8S rDNA sequence data indicated that the different populations in AG-3 are distantly related to each other. Genetic divergence between the two populations was also supported by the results of DNA-DNA hybridization studies. This study suggests that AG-3 consists of two genetically isolated groups corresponding to separate subgroups: AG-3 PT (potato type) and AG-3 TB (tobacco type). Specific primer sets for the detection of the two AG-3 subgroups were developed from the aligned rDNA-ITS sequences.

Induced expression of sarcotoxin IA enhanced host resistance against both bacterial and fungal pathogens in transgenic tobacco.

Abstract: We demonstrate here that induced expression of sarcotoxin IA, a bactericidal peptide from Sarcophaga peregrina, enhanced the resistance of transgenic tobacco plants to both bacterial and fungal pathogens. The peptide was produced with a modified PR1a promoter, which is further activated by salicylic acid treatment and necrotic lesion formation by pathogen infection. Host resistance to infection of bacteria Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora and Pseudomonas syringae pv. tabaci was shown to be dependent on the amounts of sarcotoxin IA expressed. Since we found antifungal activity of the peptide in vitro, transgenic seedlings were also inoculated with fungal pathogens Rhizoctonia solani and Pythium aphanidermatum. Transgenic plants expressing higher levels of sarcotoxin were able to withstand fungal infection and remained healthy even after 4 weeks, while control plants were dead by fungal infection after 2 weeks.

Effect of various crop establishment methods practised by Asian farmers on epidemics of rice sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani

Abstract: Establishment methods for rice crops in tropical Asia are very diverse, leading to variation in the structure of rice canopies. Differences in canopy structure can in turn affect the spread of the rice sheath blight pathogen, Rhizoctonia solani. Rice sheath blight epidemics were compared during two seasons in crops established by different methods: direct broadcasting of pregerminated rice seeds, and transplanting of rice seedlings at spacings of 20 × 20 cm, 13 × 25 cm and 25 × 25 cm between hills (i.e. along and between rows, respectively). In both years, the apparent infection rate based on incidence data and the terminal severity of sheath blight were lower in the direct-seeded crops than in any of the transplanted ones, regardless of spacing. The frequency of leaf-to-leaf contacts (CF) between hills (or plants) was highest in direct-seeded rice, and lowest in rice transplanted at a spacing of 25 × 25 cm. Larger CF is known to favour rice sheath blight epidemics. The apparent contradiction between higher incidence and lower CF in the transplanted stands than in the direct-seeded stands is interpreted in terms of accessibility of healthy host tissues to the spread of the pathogen in the canopy, and accounts for within-host (rice hill or plant) and between-host (hill or plant) disease spread. The analysis of incidence-severity relationships indicated a less aggregated distribution of the disease in direct-seeded rice, which was related to the spatial distribution of the tillers. These findings have direct implications for the management of the disease.

A NOVEL ANTIFUNGAL FURANONE FROM Pseudomonas aureofaciens, A BIOCONTROL AGENT OF FUNGAL PLANT PATHOGENS

Abstract: Pseudomonas aureofaciens (= P. chlororaphis) strain 63-28 is a biocontrol agent active against many soil-borne fungal plant pathogens and shows antifungal activity in culture assays. 3-(1-Hexenyl)-5-methyl-2-(5H)furanone was isolated from culture filtrates of this bacterium. The purified furanone showed antifungal activity against Pythium ultimum, Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Thielaviopsis basicola. The ED50S for spore germination of these fungi were 45, 54, 56, and 25 μg/ml, respectively. The compound also inhibited the germ tube growth of Rhizoctonia solani growing from microsclerotia, with an ED50 of 61 μg/ml. The compound is the reduced form of furanones previously described from this bacterium: 3-(1-hexenyl)-5-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-(5H)-furanone and 3-(1-hexenyl)-5-hydroxymethyl-2-(5H)-furanone. This volatile antifungal furanone has structural similarity to other antifungal furanones produced by actinomycetes (Streptomyces spp.), fungi (Trichoderma harzianum), and higher plants (Pulsatilla and Ranuculus spp.). This is the first report of 3-(1-hexenyl)-5-methyl-2-(5H)-furanone produced by a bacterium.

Influence of the endomycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae on the development of peanut pod rot disease in Egypt

Abstract: and the two pod rot pathogens Fusarium solani and Rhizoctonia solani and subsequent effects on growth and yield of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) plants were investigated in a greenhouse over a 5-month period. At plant maturity, inoculation with F. solani and/or R. solani significantly reduced shoot and root dry weights, pegs and pod number and seed weight of peanut plants. In contrast, the growth response and biomass of peanut plants inoculated with G. mosseae was significantly higher than that of non-mycorrhizal plants, both in the presence and absence of the pathogens. Plants inoculated with G. mosseae had a lower incidence of root rot, decayed pods, and death than non-mycorrhizal ones. The pathogens either alone or in combination reduced root colonization by the mycorrhizal fungus. Propagule numbers of each pathogen isolated from pod shell, seed, carpophore, lower stem and root were significantly lower in mycorrhizal plants than in the non-mycorrhizal plants. Thus, G. mosseae protected peanut plants from infection by pod rot fungal pathogens.

The effects of traits of Bacillus megaterium onseed and root colonization and their correlation withthe suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot of soybean

Abstract: Bacillus megaterium strainB153-2-2 is a potential bacterial biocontrol agentagainst Rhizoctonia solani isolate 2B12(ISG-2B). To study the role of antagonism (Ant),chemotaxis (Che), motility (Mot), and sporulation(Spo) of the biocontrol agent during seed and rootcolonization and the correlation between rootcolonization and the suppression of soybean (Glycine max) root rot caused by R. solani,strain B153-2-2(Che+Mot+Ant++Spo++) and the sevenderived mutants with altered antagonism, chemotaxis,motility, and/or sporulation were used. The bacterialcells were introduced into soil separately either asa soybean seed coating or soil application. Two soilmixtures defined as coarse and fine soil were used. The bacterial cell chemotactic response to soybeanroot and seed exudates and antagonism to R.solani were significantly (p = 0.05) correlatedwith root and seed colonization in some but not alltreatments. The sporulation-defective mutants had lowcell populations immediately after application and,therefore, reduced root colonization. The differencesin root colonization diminished among the mutants andstrain B153-2-2 when R. solani was present inthe soil or, as seedlings grew older. Soybean seedlingroots grown in coarse soil had significantly greatercolonization by B153-2-2 or its mutants and a lowerdisease index than that in fine soil. There was asignificant positive correlation (r 2 = 0.78)between root colonization by strain B153-2-2 or itsmutants and suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot.

Anastomosis groups of Rhizoctonia solani on potato in central Mexico and potential for biological and chemical control

Abstract: Anastomosis group (AG) identity ofRhizoctonia solani isolates collected from potato plants growing near Leon, Guanajuato, in central Mexico was determined. In samples from 15 fields, we found AG-3 and AG-4 with a frequency of 73.5% and 26.5% respectively. AG-4 was found only during the flowering stage of plant growth, whereas AG-3 was present on plants at every stage of development. The efficacy againstR. solani, in vitro andin situ, of certain biocontrol agents (Bacillus subtilis, Gliocladium virens) and fungicides (Pencycuron, Tolcoflos-methyl, Fluazinam, Azoxystrobin) was assessed. CertainBacillus strains collected from the field inhibitedin vitro growth of isolates of certain AGs. Only Pencycuron and Tolcoflos-methyl inhibited AG-3 100%in vitro, whereas in the field, Azoxystrobin and Pencycuron showed the highest efficacy against development of sclerotia on tubers.

Some fungi express beta-1,3-glucanases similar to thaumatin-like proteins.

Abstract: Mycelial clarified homogenates from Lentinus edodes, Agaricus bisporus, Rhizoctonia solani and extracts from commercial sources of lysing enzymes from Rhizoctonia solani or Irpex lacteus contained ...