Inhibition of Phytophthora cactorum by a bacterial antagonist

Abstract

Bacterial iolate B8 inhibited the growth of six isolates of Phytophthora cactorum on cornmeal agar. Under greenhouse conditions, B8 reduced infections by three isolates of P. cactorum in sterile field soil. Growth of P. cactorum on cornmeal agar was completely inhibited with 40% autoclaved B8 extract. The growth was significantly reduced by low pH alone (pH 4.5 or less) but even when the pH of B8 extract was raised to 6, P. cactorum growth was completely inhibited. Cornmeal agar buffered with 15 mM citrate, pH 5, was suitable for assaying extracts for antagonism to P. cactorum. Acetic acid and other fatty acids (possible metabolites of B8) were also inhibitory, with degree of antibiosis increasing with the size of the fatty acid molecule. The antibiotic produced by B8 was characterized as neutral (not absorbed by ion exchange resins) and of low molecular weight.