Antibacterial Activity of Antagonistic Bacteria and Plant Extract on Erwinia amylovora the Pathogen of Fire Blight Disease in Egypt

Abstract

The blossom blight phase of fire blight disease on pear trees, caused by the bacterium Erwinia amylovora (Burrill), was typically managed by applying the antibiotic, streptomycin sulfate and copper, to trees during blossom. Biological control agents of fire blight can be achieved by applying nonpathogenic bacteria, viz. Bacillus subtilis or Pantoea agglomerans and plant extract, viz. Harmel (Peganum harmala L.) during open flowers as spraying treatments. The objective of this study was to examine the alternative bactericides against bacterium E. amylovora in vitro and in vivo during two seasons (2013-2014) in Al-Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Our results revealed the ability of these antagonistic bacteria and plant extract can decreased fire blight severity on pear trees. Further studies at different locations in Egypt with large scale application would allow us to make stronger recommendations including their ability to prevent disease and used them as main component in integrated pest management program.

Fire Blight of Fruit Crops

“…Recently, promising data have appeared on the successful use of certain types of bacteria against fire blight [20][21][22]. Bacillus species have a long history of use in biocontrol and crop growth promotion [23,24]. In addition, several bacteria have been identified to date that can potentially be used against fire blight, including of the genus Pseudomonas: P. fluorescens A506 [25] and EPS62e [26], P. orientalis F9 [27], P. vancou -verensis L16, P. chlororaphis 3M, P. congelans 35M.…”

“…В последнее время появились многообещающие данные успешного использования некоторых видов бактерий-антагонистов в борьбе с бактериальным ожогом [20][21][22]. Виды Bacillus имеют долгую историю применения в биоконтроле и стимулировании роста сельскохозяйственных культур [23,24]. К настоящему времени выявлено несколько видов бактерий, которые потенциально можно использовать против бактериального ожога, в том числе, относящиеся к роду Pseudomonas: P. fluorescens A506 [25] и EPS62e [26], P. orientalis F9 [27], P. vancou-verensis L16, P. chlororaphis 3M, P. congelans 35M.…”

In Vitro Approbation of Microbial Preparations to Shield Fruit Crops from Fire Blight: Physio-Biochemical Parameters

“…Streptomyces C1-4, for example, have shown promise in reducing fire blight damage; specifically, strain notably decreased symptoms and reduced the incidence of fire blight on leaves by about 70% after two treatments [ 18 ]. In Egypt, spraying with non-pathogenic bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis , Pantoea agglomerans , and Harmel plant extract ( Peganum harmala L.) was effective in controlling fire blight [ 19 ]. Similarly, a talc-based formulation of Pantoea agglomerans Eh-24 significantly reduced (by 63–76%) the incidence of diseased flowers in two Turkish pear orchards [ 20 ].…”