Effects of six herbicides on the growth of Phytophthora cactorum and a bacterial antagonist

Abstract

Six herbicides, incorporated in corn meal agar, were tested for their effects on the growth of Phytophthora cactorum, the growth of a bacterial antagonist B8 (Erwinia sp.), and the antagonistic effect of B8 on P. cactorum Oryzalin and glyphosate significantly reduced the growth of P. cactorum. Neither the growth of B8, nor its antagonistic effect on P. cactorum, was affected by any of the herbicides tested. This suggests that herbicides may not be a limiting factor on the development of bacterial antagonists on a biological control method for the control of crown rot of apple trees.