Biological Control of Pythium Damping-Off and Aphanomyces Root Rot of Peas by Application of<i>Pseudomonas cepacia</i>or<i>P. fluorescens</i>to Seed

Abstract

Certain rhizosphere bacteria screened in a growth chamber bioassay for control of Pythium damping-off and Aphanomyces root rot of peas (Pisum sativum) also controlled these diseases in field-grown plants. Three bacterial species-Pseudomonas cepacia (strain AMMD), P. fluorescens (strain PRA2S), and Corynebacterium sp. (strain SA)-were tested at three field sites for performance as seed dressing either alone or in combination with captan. Seed treatment with P. cepacia and P. fluorescens, alone or in combination with captan, effectively controlled disease