Plant protection products that will enable plants to fight pathogenic bacteria are almost nonexistent. In this regard, Wageningen University & Research's Greenhouse Gardening and Flower Bulbs Business Unit explored different options for the prevention and control of bacterial diseases that occur during cultivation in greenhouses.
In the research; in different crops; focused on the prevention and control of bacterial diseases such as rhizobium rhizogenes, xanthomonas hortorum pv pelargonii and acidovorax.
Prevent Biofilm
The first possible intervention is the selective prevention of biofilm formation of plant pathogenic bacteria on leaf or root surfaces. Bacterial infections often begin in the biofilm that forms on the plant surface. On the other hand, this biofilm also contains beneficial bacteria that are important for the proper functioning of the crop. Therefore, it is important to check whether it is possible to selectively influence the ability of plant pathogenic bacteria to form a biofilm.
The second mechanism of preventing bacterial disease investigated is the individual disruption of communication between plant pathogenic bacteria between their cells. The infection process requires a lot of energy for a plant, and plant pathogenic bacteria can only do this if there are enough bacterial cells near the plant and they "work together". Bacterial cells must therefore communicate with each other and use signaling molecules to do so. However, there are many beneficial microorganisms that can degrade these signaling molecules. If sufficient signal molecules are not available, plant pathogenic bacteria; their individual cells cannot "see" each other and infect the plant.
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Use Parasitic Bacteria
The third possibility is the use of special parasitic bacteria that specifically prey on plant pathogenic bacterial cells. Very small bacteria of the Bdellovibrio group and similar organisms (BALOs) are examples of parasitic bacteria. Within the scope of this project, it was investigated whether BALOs exist in greenhouse systems. Initial steps have also been taken in research into the feasibility of BALOs against R. rhizogenes during tomato production to limit symptoms of fringe rooting, root knots.
The effects of the above measures and the effect of a combination of these interventions on the development of three bacterial plant diseases were investigated in greenhouse experiments in Bleiswijk. The effect of the measures was also investigated in combination with different fertilization strategies (standard mineral feeding or controlled release fertilizers).
Studies have shown that biological control can be effective against the symptoms of fringe root, root knots caused by tomato (Rhizobium rhizogenes) and Xanthomonas hortorum pv pelargonii infection in Pelargonium. The results of this project will be announced.