Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

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BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT: Understanding the options and their effectiveness Rodale Institute

Transcript of Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Page 1: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL FOR PLANT DISEASE MANAGEMENT:

Understanding the options and their effectiveness

Rodale Institute

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Introduction

Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology• Botrytis cineria inoculation techniques in onion• 1st detection of Pantoea ananatis and completion of Koch’s

Postulates in onion• Drs. Jim Lorbeer and Steve Beer

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Introduction

Cornell University Department of Plant Pathology• Vermicompost-mediated disease suppression of Pythium

aphanidermatum• Dr. Eric Nelson

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Introduction

Campos Laguna Blanca and Malambo, Argentina• Compost, vermicompost and compost extract production,

management, application and evaluation

Windrow compost

Application and evaluationLiquid vermicompostextracts

Vermicompost

Teas/extracts

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Introduction

Rodale Institute, Kutztown, PA• Compost Production Specialist• Organic Allentown - Vertical gardening and marketing for urban

agriculture• Master Composters of Rodale Institute• Novel seed treatment techniques for plant disease management

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Outline

• Introduction

• Presentation goals and disclaimer

• Defining plant pests and diseases

• Disease triangle

• The infected plant – an overview of pests and diseases

• Biological control products and their effectiveness

• Conclusions and disclaimers revisited

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Presentation goals and disclaimer

Goals• Terminology• Overview of plant pathology• Products and active ingredients• Some application do’s and don’ts• What tools to add to the disease management toolbox

Disclaimer• Not supporting one product, manufacturer, approach,

technique, over another. • Only intend to deliver valid information so that you

may make educated decisions regarding your pest and disease management strategy.

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Defining plant pests and diseases

What is a plant disease?

Agrios, 1988. Plant Pathology.“Any malfunctioning of host cells and tissues that results from continuous irritation by a pathogenic agent or environmental factors and leads to development of symptoms.”

Carr et al., 2012.“A human interpretation of a plant physiological disorder.”

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Defining plant pests and diseases

What is a plant disease?

Examples:

Powdery mildew of cucurbits (Podosphaera xanthii)

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Defining plant pests and diseases

What is a plant disease?

Examples:

Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV)

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Defining plant pests and diseases

What is a plant disease? Plant pest?

Examples:

Symptoms due to aphids

https://extension.umass.edu

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Defining plant pests and diseases

What is a plant disease?

Examples:

Yellowing due to nutrient deficiencyHeat stressAir pollutionSoil compaction

Understanding the causal agent (biotic/abiotic) is the first step towards disease management.

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Disease triangle

Pathogen, host and environment

One of the three can be altered to prevent disease.• Pathogen – alter behavior• Host – resistant varieties• Environment – modify temperature or moisture

Agrios, 1988

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The infected cell – overview of pests and diseases

Agrios, 1988

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The infected cell – overview of pests and diseases

Agrios 2005

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The infected cell – overview of pests and diseases

Generalist vs. specialist (Pythium vs. Phytophthora)

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The infected cell – overview of pests and diseases

Multiple developmental stages with some requiring specific environmental conditions.

• Pythium zoospore production requires flooded conditions• Phytophthora zoospore production requires high humidity and 53-

59°F

Agrios, 1988

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Indirect germination in sterile water

Duration = 45 min, 2 min intervals

Duration = 20 min, 10 sec intervals

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Direct germination in vermicompost extract

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The infected cell – overview of pests and diseases

Understanding the pathogen/pest and its biology will help develop effective disease management strategies.

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Biological control products and their effectiveness

Presentation of information:• Product/material name• Active ingredient• Uses (pests, diseases, foliar, soil-borne)• Mechanism(s) of suppression• Evaluation (research and anecdotal)

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Product:

Active ingredient:

Uses:

Mechanism(s) of suppression:

Evaluation:

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Meta-analysis to determine the overall effectiveness of biocontrol in relation to biological and application-oriented factors; 149 entries from 53 reports.

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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EFFECTIVEBIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Aerial vs. soil-borne disease

Greenhouse vs. field

Disease pressure

Number of applications

Pathogen type

Annual vs. perennial

Biocontrol agent

Fungal vs. bacterial

Environmentalconditions

Temperature

Moisture

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• Disease pressure• No significant difference in efficacy

• Aerial vs. soil-borne diseases• No significant difference in efficacy• For aerial diseases, 1 or 2 sprays more effective

than those that received 8 or more sprays• Annual vs. perennial crops

• Disease suppression greater with annual crops• Greenhouse vs. field

• No significant difference in efficacy

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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• Fungal vs. bacterial biocontrol agents• No significant difference in efficacy• r-selected biocontrol agents (i.e. those having

short generation times and producing large numbers of short-lived offspring) more effective

• Bacillus spp. less effective than other antagonists

• Fungal vs. bacterial pathogens• No significant difference in efficacy

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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OVERALL• Variability in success – inherent in biological control• Several other reports would challenge these results• Difficult to synthesize data due to differences in

methodologies, environmental conditions and plant-pathogen interactions

Understanding the options and their effectiveness is key to pest and disease management.

Information pulled from published reports and practitioner interviews.

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: RootShield®, Trichodex, Binab-T Biological Fungicides (and several others)

Active ingredient: Trichoderma spp. including T. harzianum, T22

Uses: Soil amendment, seed treatment, dust or spray; protects roots from several pathogens including Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Thielaviopsis and Cylindrocladium

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: RootShield®, Trichodex, Binab-T Biological Fungicides (and several others)

Active ingredient: Trichoderma spp.

Mechanism(s) of suppression: • Mycoparasitism via production of chitinases

and β 1-3 and β 1-4 glucanases• Antibiotics• Competition • Induced resistance • Solubilization of inorganic plant nutrients• Inactivation of pathogen enzyme production

Paulitz & Bélanger 2001Schuster & Schmoll 2010

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

biocontrol.entomology.cornell.edu

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Product: Trichoderma harzianum, T22

Evaluation: • Works very well but costly*• Used in all greenhouse potting media*• Six-month shelf life*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal Martínez-Mendina et al. 2013

Inoculated with Botrytis cinerea

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Product: Trichoderma harzianum, T22

Evaluation: • Effective control for a variety of plant disease

(Verma et al. 2007)• Extended dry conditions will affect success

(Esposito & da Silva 1998)• Control is similar to synthetic fungicides

(Paulitz & Bélanger 2001)• Most Trichoderma spp. based biocontrol

agents are unregistered and marketed as “soil enhancers” (Verma et al. 2007)

• Increased commercialization is hindered by defining the mode of action and underdeveloped bioassay methods (Verma et al. 2007)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Insecticides

Active ingredient: Bt toxins (Cry ad Cyt toxins)

Uses: dusted or sprayed; control lepidoptera insects (cabbage worm, caterpiller, cabbage looper, etc.)

Numerous commercial formulations and products exist

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Insecticides

Mechanism(s) of suppression: pore forming toxins that kill larval epithelium midgut cells causing an osmotic shock leading to cell lysis

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

mbio.asm.org

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Product: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Insecticides

Evaluation: • Sprayed 1-2 weeks before harvest as a

preventative*• Spray just the heads or parts to be harvested*• Works and is cheap*• Sometimes sprayed in the greenhouse in the

fall*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) Insecticides

Evaluation: • Many Bt strains show activity towards several

insect groups (Schnepf et al. 1998; Sanahuja et al. 2011)

• Insect resistance (Bravo et al. 2013) and non-target species (Cory & Franklin 2012) are a concern

• Other insect pathogens exist (Beauveria andMetarhizium spp., baculovirus and entomopathogenic nematodes) (Cory & Franklin 2012)

• Bt sprays persist for only a few days on the leaf surface because several factors contribute to the degradation of Cry protiens, therefore re-application necessary for full effect (Sanahuja et al. 2011)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria(PGPR), Serenade Optimum

Active ingredient: Bacillus spp., Curtobacteriumflaccumfaciens, Burkholderia cepacia, Enterobacter cloacae, Erwinia herbicola, Psuedomonas spp. and others

Uses: dusted or sprayed; broad spectrum fungicide and bactericide; late season diseases from Botrytis, Sclerotinia, Xanthomonas, Erwinia; grape, strawberries, leafy vegetables, potatoes, pome fruit, tree nuts and others

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

aps.net

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Product: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

Mechanism(s) of suppression: secretion of bioactive molecules such as antibiotics and cell-wall degrading enzymes (De Curtis et al. 2010); nutrient competition (Nelson 2004)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Scialert.net gopixpic.com

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Product: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

Evaluation: • Not all products registered as biocontrol

agents – marked as plant growth promoters, strengtheners, or soil conditioners (Paulitz & Bélanger 2001)

• Bacillus subtilis exhibited variable suppression of Rhizoctonia solani and Sclerotium rolfsii on tomato (De Curtis et al. 2010)

• Strain mixtures more effective than single strains (Raupach & Klopper 1988)

• Enterobacter spp., Psuedomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. digested seed exudates to make the host plant undetectable to Pythium -carbon competition suggested to be the leading mechanisms of suppression (Nelson 2004; Chen et al. 2012)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Biocontrol yeasts (Botector®)

Active ingredient: Rhodotorula glutinis, Cryptococcus laurentii, Aureobasidium pullulans

Uses: Field and post-harvest diseases from pathogens such as Botrytis cinerea, and Penicilliumexpansum, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus niger; grape, apple, cherry tomato, cherry and others

Mechanism(s) of suppression: antibiosis due to pullulans, extracellular enzymes, siderophores and single-cell proteins (Chi et al. 2009); competition for nutrients (Chi et al. 2009)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

plantmanagementnetwork.org endure-network.eu postharvest.ucdavis.edu

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Product: Biocontrol yeasts

Evaluation: • Consistent high reductions in fungal decay

(Lima et al. 2003; Chi et al. 2009)• Cause less phytotoxicity compared to copper

hydroxide and lime sulphur but were not as effective at reducing blossom blight in cherry production (Holb & Kunz 2013)

• Yeast cell concentration significantly correlated to efficacy (Mari et al. 2012)

• New trials will be conducted at three separate apple orchard locations to control Bitter Rot of apple (Glomerella cingulata) (Rodale Institute, 2015)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Bordeaux mixture and other copper and sulfur-based treatments

Active ingredient: Copper and sulfur

Uses: General biocide for fungal and bacterial pathogens

Mechanism(s) of suppression: copper compounds react with fungal spore exudates to create highly toxic copper complexes; high pH in lime sulfur disrupts fungal spore membrane activity (Montaget al. 2005 & 2006)

Evaluation:• Works but not preferred due to non-target

effects*• Phytotoxic effects at large doses*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Bordeaux mixture and other copper and sulfur-based treatments

Evaluation:• Long history of success and effectiveness

(Agrios 1988; Hamilton & Keitt 1928)• Effective during the infection process (Jamar

et al. 2008)• Effects on non-target and beneficials are a

concern (Bengochea et al. 2014; Wang et al. 2009)

• Can accumulate is plant parts (Iwane 2009; Kurnik et al. 2012; Liu et al. 2011)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Bordeaux mixture and other copper and sulfur-based treatments

Evaluation:• Can be phytotoxic (Yoder et al. 2009; Holb et

al. 2003)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

rhizotest.cirad.fr msue.anr.msu.edu

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Product: Surround® WP

Active ingredient: Kaolin clay

Uses: Crop protectant for controlling damage from various insect and disease pests

Mechanism(s) of suppression: forms a barrier film, which acts as a broad spectrum crop protectant

Evaluation:

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

www.planetnatural.com www.goodfruit.com

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Product: Surround® WP

Active ingredient: Kaolin clay

Uses: Crop protectant for controlling damage from various insect and disease pests

Mechanism(s) of suppression: forms a barrier film, which acts as a broad spectrum crop protectant

Evaluation:• Sprayed on cucurbits for cucumber beetles*• Acts as a “spray-on row cover”*• Confident that it improves apple production*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Surround® WP

Evaluation:• Whitish appearance on fruit can significantly

reduce consumer acceptance and fruit value (Peck et al. 2010; Wismer 2009)

• Must be used in large quantities to be efficacious (Reissig et al. 2002)

• Although it is an inert compound, it can potentially cause respiratory, dermal and eye irritations (Peck et al. 2010)

• Effects on non-target and natural enemies are a concern (Bengochae et al. 2010 & 2013; Scalercio et al. 2010)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

www.goodfruit.com

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Product: JMS Stylet-Oil®

Active ingredient: Paraffinic oil

Uses: for controlling fungal diseases, aphid-transmitted plant viruses, insects and mites

Mechanism(s) of suppression: cell wall disruption

Evaluation: • Sprayed on cucurbits for downy and powdery

mildews*• Often sprayed as a preventative*• Cheap and works*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: JMS Stylet-Oil®

Evaluation: • Applying every 4 days was more effective

than a single application (McGrath & Shishkoff 2000)

• Less effective at suppressing foliar diseases when applied after detection (McGrath 2009)

• Effective at controlling virus vectors such as aphids (McDonald et al. 2004)

• Effectiveness directly related to spray coverage (JMS Stylet-Oil website)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

ontargetspray.com

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Product: Neem Oil (Azadirachta indica)

Active ingredient: azadirachtin

Uses: broad spectrum insecticide/miticide; fungal preventative

Mechanism(s) of suppression: when ingested, prevents molting and suppresses feeding; suffocates insects and mites on contact

Evaluation:• Used for harlequin cabbage bug*• Used outside on brassicas*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

article.wn.com indiamart.com

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Product: Neem Oil

Evaluation:• Effects non-target species such as bees

(product lable); used as a last resort*• Synergy was not expressed when mixing

neem oil with Bt and/or Beauveria bassiana(Togbe et al. 2014)

• Success not always realized (Ahmady & Kumar 2014); Bt more effective (Padhi et al. 2013)

• “Most environmentally friendly pesticide, highly biodigradable and leaves no residues on food stuff.” (Mathur 2013)

• Variable results

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: PyGanic®

Active ingredient: Pyrethrin

Uses: Broad spectrum insecticide

Mechanism(s) of suppression: Sodium channel modulator – disrupts insects’ nervous system

Evaluation:• Kills all it hits*• Used only inside*• Used only when necessary*

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotalnjaes.rutgers.eduextension.umn.edu

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Product: PyGanic®

Evaluation:• Effects on non-target and beneficials is a

concern (Tunca et al. 2012)• Variable results in controlling different aphid

species (Andreev et al. 2012)• Variable results in controlling different stink

bug species (Lee et al. 2014)• In most reports, control was >75% successful

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Thermogenic compost, vermicompost and liquid compost/vermicompost teas and extracts

Active ingredient: Microorganisms and microbial byproducts

Uses: Soil amendment for plant production and protection against a wide range of pests and pathogens

Mechanism(s) of suppression: antibiosis, nutrient competition, predation, altering pathogen development, systemic acquired resistance (SAR)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

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Product: Thermogenic compost, vermicompost and liquid compost/vermicompost teas and extracts

Evaluation:• Several benefits (Jack & Thies 2005; Hadar &

Papadopoulou 2012)• Suppresses a wide range of pathogens (Noble

2011)• More effective as a soil amendment than a

spray (Litterick et al. 2004; Scheuerell & Mahaffee 2002)

• Variable and unpredictable (Scheuerell & Mahaffee 2006; Noble & Coventry 2005)

• Organic matter and high biological diversity appear to be the key components in regards to biological control (Bonanomi et al. 2010; Hoitink & Fahy 1986)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Page 58: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Product: Mulches, cover crops and crop rotation

Active ingredient: Planning and prevention

Uses: general crop protection and disease prevention

Mechanism(s) of suppression: Prevention, avoidance and improving soil health

Evaluation:• Crop rotation to disrupt disease and pest

cycles and avoid disease pressure (Agrios1988)

• Mulches to feed soil microbes and disrupt disease and pest cycles

• Cover crops increase organic matter and feed microbes

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Page 59: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Product: Mulches, cover crops and crop rotation

Active ingredient: Planning and prevention

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Page 60: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Product: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria, Trichoderma

Active ingredient: Bacillus spp., Psuedomonas spp. and others; compost extracts

Uses: Seed treatment to prevent fungal and bacterial, soil-borne plant pathogens; pathogen disinfection

Mechanism(s) of suppression: Nutrient competition, antibiosis, systemic acquired resistance, and others

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotalwwf.panda.orgag.arizona.edu

Page 61: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Product: Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria

Evaluation:• Little anecdotal information• Multiple strain treatments were most

effective on cucumber in the field for plant growth promotion and disease reduction (Raupach & Kloepper 1988)

• Tomato seeds soaked in liquid cultures of Bacillus spp. completely inhibited Clavibactermichiganensis incidence (Kasselaki et al. 2011)

• Tomatos seeds soaked overnight in 3-day old compost extracts completely inhibited Clavibacter michiganensis incidence; the compost used to prepare the extract did not affect suppression (Kasselaki et al. 2011)

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Page 62: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Notes on what was not mentioned….

• There are literally hundreds of biocontrol options• Plant extracts and oils, bacteria from milk, viruses,

non-pathogenic fungi, numerous single-strain biocontrol agents…

• Difficult to synthesize lab and field results due to differences in methodologies

• Often unpredictable and variable

When considering a product or material…• Typically the most effective treatments are those

with the rigorous of testing• New commercial products vs. old products• Manufacturer credibility

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Page 63: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Product: Freeze-dried compost extracts

Active ingredient: microorganisms and microbial byproducts

Uses: Preventing and suppressing soil-borne seed and seedling pathogens

Mechanism(s) of suppression: nutrient competition, antibiosis, predation

Evaluation:• Applying microbes closer to the site of

infection• Establishing a proof of concept

Commercial products• Single-strain biocontrol agents• Non-biologicals

Non-commercial products• Multi-strain biocontrol agents

–Compost–Vermicompost–Teas and extracts

• Prevention practices–Mulches–Cover crops–Crop rotation

Seed treatments• Single-strain agents

–Psuedomonas–Bacillus–Trichoderma

• Novel treatments

*Anecdotal

Page 64: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Coating seeds with a diversity of microorganisms

Working hypothesis:• Solid compost can suppress Pythium aphanidermatum,

mediated by microorganisms and microbial byproducts• Non-aerated compost extracts exhibit similar levels of

disease suppression – microbially-mediated• Freeze-drying the liquid extracts and then reconstitute

them – disease suppression occurs

Can we freeze-dry extracts into a powder to be coated onto seeds for suppressing soil-borne plant pathogens?

Page 65: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Coating seeds with a diversity of microorganisms

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Page 66: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Coating seeds with a diversity of microorganisms

Next steps:• Coat cucumber seeds with a binder using standard

seed coating technologies• Apply/stick the freeze-dried extract to the coated seeds• Assess microbial viability• Conduct disease bioassays

Page 67: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Coating seeds with a diversity of microorganisms

Project supported in part by:

Drs. Eric Nelson and Alan Taylor, Department of Plant Pathology

Page 68: Biological Control for Pest Disease Management

Conclusions and disclaimer revisited

Disclaimer• Not supporting one product, manufacturer, approach,

technique, over another. • Only here to deliver valid information so that you may

make educated decisions regarding your pest and disease management strategy.

Conclusions• There are a number of tools for managing plant

diseases• Follow the manufactures recommendations• Anticipate and predict outbreaks• Accurate identification will save time and money