Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Selection of biological control agents for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases in the field

  • Published:
European Journal of Plant Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Different screening methods for selection of biological control agents (BCAs), for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases, are discussed. The shortcomings of laboratory methods focused on mechanism of action are discussed and we conclude that these methods should be used with caution if candidates with multifactorial or plant mediated mechanisms of control are to be obtained. In vitro screens may be useful for specific groups of microorganisms, thus, screens for antibiotics may be relevant for Streptomyces spp., and promising results have been obtained using soil plating or precolonized agar methods to screen for mycoparasitism and competitive saprophytic ability. Experience with screening in the Nordic programme ‘Biological control of seed borne diseases in cereals’ is summarized. Research in the four participating countries – Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark – followed the same paradigm: that of obtaining antagonists, well adapted to different Nordic environments, and developing them as effective BCAs. Potential antagonists were isolated from different sources and in planta screening methods were developed in order to optimize selection of antagonists effective against a range of seed borne pathogens. Screens in the laboratory or greenhouse were followed by screening in the field. The different screening procedures are compared and evaluated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alabouvette C (1990) Biological control of Fusarium wilt pathogens in suppressive soils. In Hornby D (ed) Biological Control of Soil-Borne Plant Pathogens (pp 27-45) CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Benhamou N, Rey P, Chérif M, Hockenhull J and Tirilly, Y (1997) Treatment with the mycoparasite, Pythium oligandrum, triggers the induction of defenserelated reactions in tomato roots upon challenge with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radici lycopersici. Phytopathology 87: 108-122

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry LA, Jones EE and Deacon JW (1993) Interaction of the mycoparasite Pythium oli-gandrum with other Pythium species. Biocontrol Sci Techn 3: 247-260

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw-Smith RP and Whalley WM (1991) Interactions between Pythium oligandrum and the fungal foot rot pathogens of peas. Mycological Research 95: 861-865

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown AE, Finlay R and Ward JS (1987) Antifungal compounds produced by Epicoccum purpurascens against soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi. Soil Biol Biochem 19: 657-664

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell R (1986) The search for biological control agents against plant pathogens: a pragmatic approach. Biol Agricult Horticult 3: 317-327

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell R (1994) Biological control of soil-borne diseases: some present problems and different approaches. Crop Protection 13: 4-13

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook RJ (1980) Fusarium foot rot of wheat and its control in the Pacific Northwest. Plant Disease 64: 1061-106

    Google Scholar 

  • Cook RJ (1993) Making greater use of introduced microoganisms for biological control of plant pathogens. Annu Rev Phytopathol 31: 53-80

    Google Scholar 

  • Davanlou M & Hockenhull J (1996) Parasitism of macroconidia by P. oligandrum and biocontrol of Fusarium culmorum by 4 mycoparasitic Pythium spp. In: Alabouvette C (ed) Biological Control of Root Diseases in Soilless Cultures. IOBS/WPRS Bulletin 19: 95-98

  • Davet P (1986) Activitè parasitaire des Trichoderma vis-à-vis des champignons à sclérotes; corrélation avec l'aplitude à la compétition dans un sol non stérile. Agronomie 6: 863-867

    Google Scholar 

  • Davet P (1987) Critères de sélection de clones de Trichoderma antagonistes de champignons telluriques à sclérotes. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 17: 535-540

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon JW (1976) Studies of Pythium oligandrum, an aggressive parasite of other fungi. Trans Br Mycol Soc 66: 383-391

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon JW (1988) Biocontrol of soil-borne plant pathogens with introduced inocula. Phil Trans Roy Soc Lond, Series B 318: 249-264

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon JW (1991) Significance of ecology in the development of biocontrol agents against soil-borne plant pathogens. Biocontrol Sci Techn 1: 5-20

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon JW (1994) Rhizosphere constraints affecting biocontrol organisms applied to seeds. In: Martin T (ed) BCPC monograph no 57: Seed Treatment: Progress and Prospects. (pp 315-326) BCPC Surrey, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon JW and Berry LA (1992) Modes of action of mycoparasites in relation to biocontrol of soilborne plant pathogens. In: Tjamos ES, Papavizas GC and Cook RJ (eds) Biological Control of Plant Diseases. Progress and Challenges for the Future (pp 157-167) Plenum Press, New York and London

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon JW and Henry CM (1978) Mycoparasitism of Pythium oligandrum and Pythium acanthicum. Soil Biol and Biochem 10: 409-415

    Google Scholar 

  • Défago G, Berling CH, Burger U, Haas D, Kahr G, Keel C, Voisard C, Wirthner P and Wüthrich B (1990) Suppression of black root rot of tobacco and other root diseases by strains of Pseudomonas fluorescens: potential application and mechanisms. In: Hornby D. (ed) Biological Control of Soil-borne Plant Pathogens (pp 93-108) CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Duczek LJ (1994) Relationship between a greenhouse and field assay for biological control of common root rot of spring wheat and barley. Can Plant Dis Surv 74: 135-140

    Google Scholar 

  • Elad Y, Chet I and Henis Y (1982) Degradation of plant pathogenic fungi by Trichoderma harzianum. Can J Microbiol 28: 719-725

    Google Scholar 

  • Eparvier A and Alabouvette C (1994) Use of ELISA and GUS-transformed strains to study competition between pathogenic and non pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum for root colonization. Biocontrol Sci Technol 4: 35-47

    Google Scholar 

  • Faull JL (1988) Competitive antagonism of soil-borne plant pathogens. In Burge MN (ed) Fungi in Biological Control Systems (pp 125-141) Manchester University Press, Manchester

    Google Scholar 

  • Foley MF and Deacon JW (1985) Isolation of Pythium oligandrum and other necrotrophic mycoparasites from soil. Trans BritMycol Soc 85: 631-639

    Google Scholar 

  • Fravel DR (1988) Role of antibiosis in the biocontrol of plant diseases. Ann Rev Phytopathology 26: 75-91

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerhardson B and Larsson M (1991) Effects of Trichoderma and other fungal antagonists on the incidence of fungal pathogens. In: Beemster ABR, Bollen GJ, Gerlagh M, Ruissen MA, Schippers B and Tempel A (eds) Biotic Interactions and Soil-borne Diseases (pp 121-128) Elsevier Science Publishers BV, Amsterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerhardson B, Hökeberg M and Johnsson L (1994) Bakterier i stället för kemisk bekämpning-svensk forskning öppnar nya muligheter. Faktablad, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, Mark/Vèxter 11

  • Gottlieb D and Simonoff P (1952) The production and role of antibiotics in soil. II Chloromycetin. Phytopathology 42: 91-97

    Google Scholar 

  • Green H and Jensen DF (1995) A tool for monitoring Trichoderma harzianum. II The use of a GUS transformant for ecological studies in the rhizosphere. Phytopathology 85: 1436-1440

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammerschmidt R and Kuć J (1995) (eds) Induced Resistance to Disease in Plants. Kluwer Academic Publishers 182 pp.

  • Henriksen B and Sundheim L (1994) Selection of antagonists against Drechslera teres in non-sterile field soil. European Foundation for Plant Pathology, 3rd Conference, Environmental Biotic Factors in Intergrated Plant Disease Control, Poznan, Poland, 5-9th September 1994 (p 24) (Abstract)

  • Hockenhull J, Madsen AM and Davanlou M(1995) Fungal-parasitic Pythium-species: ecology, mode of action and potential utilization. (DK) In: SP Rapport 4: 37-46

    Google Scholar 

  • Hokkanen HMT and Lynch JM (1995) (eds) Biological Control. Benefits and Risks. Cambridge University Press. 304 pp

  • Hökeberg M, Gerhardson B and Johnsson L. (1997) Biological control of cereal seed-borne diseases by seed bacterization of greenhouse-selected bacteria. Eur J Plant Pathol 103: 25-33

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen B, Knudsen IMB, Jensen DF and Hockenhull J (1996) Development of a formulation of Gliocladium roseum for biological seed treatment. In: Alabouvette C (ed) Biological and intergrated control of root diseases in soilless cultures. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 19: 164-169

  • Jensen D Funck (1996) Screening for effective antagonists to control root diseases in soilless cultures. In: Alabouvette C (ed) Biological and intergrated control of root diseases in soilless cultures. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 19: 27-35

  • Kim KK, Fravel DR and Papavizas GC (1988) Identification of a metabolite produced by Talaromyces flavus as glucose oxidase and its role in the biocontrol of Verticillium dahliae. Phytopathology 78: 488-492

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloepper JW(1991) Development of in vivo assays for prescreening antagonists of Rhizoctonia solani on cotton. Phytopathology 81: 1006-1013

    Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen IMB (1994) Biological control of seed borne diseases in cereals. Ph.D. thesis, Plant Pathology Section, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen. 131 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen IMB, Elmholt S, Hockenhull J and Jensen DF (1994) Distribution of saprophytic fungi antagonistic to Fusarium culmorum in two differently cultivated field soils, with special emphasis on the genus Fusarium. Biol Agricult and Horticult 12: 61-79

    Google Scholar 

  • Knudsen IMB, Hockenhull J and Jensen DF (1992) In vivo screening of potential antagonists against F. culmorum in barley. In: Jensen DF, Hockenhull J and Fokkema NJ (eds) New Approaches in Biological Control of Soil-borne Diseases. IOBC/WPRS Bulletin 15: 21-23

  • Knudsen IMB, Hockenhull J and Jensen, DF (1995) Biocontrol of seedling diseases of barley and wheat caused by Fusarium culmorum and Bipolaris sorokiniana: effects of selected fungal antagonists on growth and yield components. Plant Pathology 44: 467-477

    Google Scholar 

  • Kommedahl T and Windels CE (1978) Evaluation of biological seed treatment for controlling root diseases of pea. Phytopathology 68: 1087-1095

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing SAK and Deacon JW (1990) Aggressiveness and fungal host range of mycoparasitic Pythium species. Soil Biol and Biochem 22: 905-911

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing SAK and Deacon JW (1991) Video microscopical comparison of mycoparasitism by P. oligandrum, P. nunn and unnamed Pythium species. Mycol Research 95: 469-479

    Google Scholar 

  • Linderman RG, Moore LW, Baker KF and Cooksey DA (1983) Strategies for detecting and characterizing systems for biological control of soilborne plant pathogens. Plant Disease 67: 1058-1064

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorito M, Harman GE, Hayes CK, Broadway RM, Tronsmo A, Woo SL and Di Pietro A (1993) Chitinolytic enzymes produced by Trichoderma harzianum: Antifungal activity of purified endochitinase and chitobiosidase. Phytopathology 83: 302-307

    Google Scholar 

  • Lumsden RD and Lewis JA (1989) Selection, production, formulation and commercial use of plant disease biocontrol fungi: problems and progress. In: Whipps JM and Lumsden RD (eds) Biotechnology of Fungi for Improving Plant Growth (pp 171-190) Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Lumsden RD, Locke JC and Walter JF (1992) Isolation and localization of the antibiotic gliotoxin produced by Gliocladium virens from alginate prill in soil and soilless media. Phytopathology 82: 230-235

    Google Scholar 

  • Merriman P and Russell K (1990) Screening strategies for biological control. In: Hornby D (ed) Biological Control of Soil-borne Plant Pathogens (pp 427-435) CAB International, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulligan DFC and Deacon JW (1992) Detection of presumptive mycoparasites in soil placed on host colonized agar plates. Mycol Research 96: 605-608

    Google Scholar 

  • Mulligan DFC and Jones EE and Deacon JW(1995) Monitoring and manipulation of populations of Pythium oligandrum, Pythium mycoparasiticum and a Populaspora species in soil. Soil Biol and Biochem 27: 1333-1343

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson EB (1991) Exudate molecules initiating fungal responses to seeds and roots. In: Keister DL and Cregan PB (eds) The Rhizosphere and Plant Growth (pp 197-209) Kluwer Academic Publ, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • New PB and Kerr A (1972) Biological control of crown gall: field measurements and glasshouse experiments. Journ Appl Bact 35: 279-287

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyvall RF and Kommedahl T (1973) Competitive saprophytic ability of Fusarium roseum f. sp. cerealis 'culmorum' in soil. Phytopathology 63: 590-597

    Google Scholar 

  • Ordentlich A, Migheli Q and Chet I (1991) Biological control activity of three Trichoderma isolates against Fusarium wilts of cotton and muskmelon and lack of correlation with their lytic enzymes. J Phytopathology 133: 177-186

    Google Scholar 

  • Raatikainen O, Tuomisto J, Tahvonen R and Rosenqvist H (1993) Polyene production of antagonistic Streptomyces species isolated from Sphagnum peat. Agric Sci Finl 2: 551-560

    Google Scholar 

  • Raatikainen O, Päivinen T and Tahvonen R (1994) HPLC separation and subsequent detection of aromatic heptaene in peat after treatment with Streptomyces griseoviridis. Pesticide Science 41: 149-154

    Google Scholar 

  • Renwick A, Campbell R and Coe S (1991) Assessment of in vivo screening systems for potential biocontrol agents of Gaeumannomyces graminis. Plant Pathology 40: 524-532

    Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro WRC and Butler EE (1995) Comparison of the mycoparasites Pythium periplocum, P. acanthicum and P. oligandrum. Mycol Research 99: 963-969

    Google Scholar 

  • Ridout CJ, Coley-Smith JR and Lynch JM (1988) Fractionation of extracellular enzymes from a mycoparasitic strain of Trichoderma harzianum. Enzyme Microb Technol 10: 180-187

    Google Scholar 

  • Rishbeth JR (1975) Stump inoculation: a biological control of Fomes annosus. In: Bruehl GW (ed) Biology and Control of Soilborne Pathogens (pp 158-162). American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schippers B, Bakker PAHM, Van Peer R, Niemann GJ and Hoffland E (1993) Pseudomonas-induced resistance in carnation against Fusarium wilt. In: Fritig B and Legrand M (eds) Mechanisms of Plant Defense Responses (p 453) Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

    Google Scholar 

  • Sreenivasaprasad S and Manibhushanrao K (1990) Antagonistic potential of Gliocladium virens and Trichoderma longibrachiatum to phytopathogenic fungi. Mycopathologia 109: 19-26

    Google Scholar 

  • Stack JP, Kenerley CM and Pettit RE (1987) Influence of carbon and nitrogen sources, relative carbon and nitrogen concentrations, and soil moisture on the growth in nonsterile soil of soilborne fungal antagonists. Can J Microbiol 33: 626-631

    Google Scholar 

  • Tahvonen R (1982) The suppressiveness of Finnish light coloured Sphagnum peat. J Scient Agric Soc Finl 54: 357-369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tahvonen R and Teperi E (1995) Biological control of Fusarium culmorum of wheat with fungus antagonists isolated from Finnish soils. In: Mańka M (ed) Environmental Biotic Factors in Integrated Plant Disease Control (pp 541-544) The Polish Phytopathological Society, Poznań.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teperi E, Keskinen M, Ketoja E and Tahvonen R (subm.) Screening for fungal antagonists of seed-borne Fusarium culmorum using in vivo tests on wheat. Eur J Plant Pathol

  • Thomashow LS, Weller DM, Bonsall RF and Pierson III LS (1990) Production of the antibiotic phenazine-1-carboxylic acid by fluorescent Pseudomonas species in the rhizosphere of wheat. Appl and Environ Microbiology 56: 908-912

  • van den Boogert PHJF and Gams W (1988) Assessment of Verticillium biguttatum in agricultural soil. Soil Biol and Biochem 20: 899-905

    Google Scholar 

  • Weller DM and Cook RJ (1985) Application of a rapid screening test for selection of bacteria suppressive to take-all of wheat. Plant Disease 69: 710-713

    Google Scholar 

  • Whipps JM (1987) Effect of media on growth and interactions between a range of soilborne glasshouse pathogens and antagonistic fungi. New Phytol 107: 127-142

    Google Scholar 

  • Whipps JM (1997) Ecological considerations involved in commercial development of biological control agents for soil-borne diseases. In: van Elsas JD, Wellington EMH and Trevors JT (eds) Modern Soil Microbiology. Elsevier, The Netherlands.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whipps JM & Magan N (1987) Effects of nutrient status and water potential of media on fungal growth and antagonist-pathogen interactions. Bulletin OEPP/EPPO Bulletin 17: 581-591

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams ST (1982) Are antibiotics produced in soil? Pedobiologia 23: 427-435

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolffhechel H(1989) Fungal antagonists of Pythium ultimum isolated from a disease-suppressive Sphagnum peat. Växtskyddsnotiser 53: 7-11

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Pathology Section, Department of Plant Biology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Thorvaldsensvej 40, DK-1871, Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark

    I.M.B. Knudsen, J. Hockenhull & D. Funck Jensen

  2. Plant Pathology and Biological Control Unit, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O.Box 7044, S-75007, Uppsala, Sweden

    B. Gerhardson & M. Hökeberg

  3. Agricultural Research Centre, Institute of Horticulture, Toivonlinnantie 518, SF-21500, Piikkio, Finland

    R. Tahvonen

  4. Laukaa Research and Elite Plant Station, Agricultural Research Centre, Institute of Horticulture, SF-41330, Vihtavuori, Finland

    E. Teperi

  5. Department of Plant Pathology, Norwegian Plant Protection Institute, Fellesbygget, N-1432 Ås, Norway;

    L. Sundheim & B. Henriksen

Authors
  1. I.M.B. Knudsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Hockenhull
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. Funck Jensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. B. Gerhardson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Hökeberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Tahvonen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. E. Teperi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. L. Sundheim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. B. Henriksen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Knudsen, I., Hockenhull, J., Jensen, D.F. et al. Selection of biological control agents for controlling soil and seed-borne diseases in the field. European Journal of Plant Pathology 103, 775–784 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008662313042

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008662313042

Search

Navigation