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Ecology and Epidemiology

Microbial Antagonists of Bipolaris maydis. John P. Sleesman, Graduate Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691, Present address of senior author: Chemagro, 4225-B West Main Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007; Curt Leben, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University and Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, Wooster 44691. Phytopathology 66:1214-1218. Accepted for publication 20 April 1976. Copyright © 1976 The American Phytopathological Society, 3340 Pilot Knob Road, St. Paul, MN 55121. All rights reserved.. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-66-1214.

Microorganisms antagonistic to Bipolaris maydis in culture were isolated from B. maydis conidia and lesions on maize leaves. When B. maydis conidia and cells of one bacterium, AN771, were mixed prior to inoculation, southern maize leaf blight was controlled in greenhouse tests. Disease control was 86-100% when >10⁸ cells/ml of AN771 were used, but it was <50% with <2.2 × 10⁷ cells/ml. Bacterium AN771 inhibited germination of B. maydis conidia and germ tube growth in culture and on maize leaves. Most AN771 cells died when the leaf dried.