Bacterial selection for biological control of plant disease: criterion determination and validation

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the biocontrol potential of bacteria isolated from different plant species and soils. The production of compounds related to phytopathogen biocontrol and/or promotion of plant growth in bacterial isolates was evaluated by measuring the production of antimicrobial compounds (ammonia and antibiosis) and hydrolytic enzymes (amylases, lipases, proteases, and chitinases) and phosphate solubilization. Of the 1219 bacterial isolates, 92% produced one or more of the eight compounds evaluated, but only 1% of the isolates produced all the compounds. Proteolytic activity was most frequently observed among the bacterial isolates. Among the compounds which often determine the success of biocontrol, 43% produced compounds which inhibit mycelial growth of Monilinia fructicola, but only 11% hydrolyzed chitin. Bacteria from different plant species (rhizosphere or phylloplane) exhibited differences in the ability to produce the compounds evaluated. Most bacterial isolates with biocontrol potential were isolated from rhizospheric soil. The most efficient bacteria (producing at least five compounds related to phytopathogen biocontrol and/or plant growth), 86 in total, were evaluated for their biocontrol potential by observing their ability to kill juvenile Mesocriconema xenoplax. Thus, we clearly observed that bacteria that produced more compounds related to phytopathogen biocontrol and/or plant growth had a higher efficacy for nematode biocontrol, which validated the selection strategy used.

In vitro shoot regeneration of boldo from leaf explants / Regeneração in vitro de boldo a partir de explantes foliares

A shoot regeneration system for Plectranthus neochilus was studied from leaf explants. Leaves developed under in vitro conditions were cultured on Wood Plant Medium supplemented with 0.2mg dm-3 α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and different 6-benzilaminopurine (BAP) or thidiazuron (TDZ) concentrations (0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5 and 6.0mg dm-3). An increase in percentage of responsive explants (85.3 percent) and in the number of shoots developed per explant (3.2) was observed when the explants were treated with 5.3 and 4.7mg dm-3 BAP, respectively. The leaf explants cultured on media supplemented with TDZ became vitreous and did not form buds. The regeneration system used is efficient for boldo bud induction and shoot development, showing high potential for advanced cellular and molecular studies.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi adequar um protocolo de regeneração a partir de explantes foliares de Plectranthus neochilus. Folhas desenvolvidas sob condições in vitro foram cultivadas em meio WPM suplementado com 0,2mg L-1 de ácido α-naftaleno acético (ANA) e diferentes concentrações (0; 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0mg L-1) de 6-benzilaminopurina (BAP) ou thidiazuron (TDZ). Observou-se o aumento na percentagem de explantes regenerantes (85,3 por cento) e no número de brotações por explante (3,2), quando os explantes foliares foram cultivados em meio contendo 5,3 e 4,7mg L-1 de BAP, respectivamente. Os explantes foliares cultivados em TDZ tornaram-se vítreos e não formaram gemas. O protocolo utilizado é eficiente para a indução de gemas e brotações, demonstrando a potencialidade de seu uso para estudos mais avançados de biologia celular e molecular.