Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interactions of Colletotrichum musae and Lasiodiplodia theobromae and their biocontrol by Pantoea agglomerans and Flavobacterium sp. in expression of crown rot of “Embul” banana

  • Published:
BioControl Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Previous research has shown that two local isolates of bacteria (Pantoea agglomerans and Flavobacterium sp.) are capable of biocontrol of the two main pathogens (Colletotrichum musae and Lasiodiplodia theobromae) known to cause crown rot on “Embul” (Musa, AAB) banana. In this investigation an attempt was made to elucidate the comparative virulence of these pathogens and to determine the underlying biocontrol mechanisms. L. theobromae was more virulent, causing faster spread of the disease, whereas C. musae was more resistant to the bacterial antagonists. Viable cells of the antagonists were more effective at suppressing conidial germination than cell-free culture media. It seemed that antifungal compounds acting on conidial germination may be heat stable and those acting on mycelia may include heat labile compounds also. Considering the specialized roles observed for each pathogen in terms of causing the disease, and in modes of control by antagonists, future field investigations on biocontrol should consider the roles played by the pathogens and the antagonists.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adikaram NKB (2005) Integrated Horticulture & Nutrition Development Project, Final Report, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, pp 33–78

  • Adikaram NKB, Indrakeerthi SRP, Abayasekera C, Ranasinghe P (1995) Natural antifungal substances in fruits and postharvest diseases. Australian Postharvest Horticulture Conference, 18–22 September 1995, Melbourne, Australia, 85 p

  • Alvindia DG, Kobayashi T, Natsuaki KT, Tanda S (2004) Inhibitory influence of inorganic salts on banana postharvest pathogens and preliminary application to control crown rot. J Gen Plant Pathol 70(1):61–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • American Phytopathological Society (APS) (1943) The slide germination method of evaluating protectant fungicides. Phytopathology 33:627–632

    Google Scholar 

  • Anthony S, Abeywickrama K, Dayananda R, Wilson Wijeratnam S, Arambewela L (2004) Fungal pathogens associated with banana fruit in Sri Lanka, and their treatment with essential oils. Mycopathologia 157:91–97

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berto P, Jijakli H, Lepoivre P (2001) Possible role of colonization and cell wall-degrading enzymes in the differential ability of three Ulocladium atrum strains to control Botrytis cinerea on necrotic strawberry leaves. Phytopathology 91:1030–1036

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bogamuwa SP (2001) The effect of four antagonists against Fusarium oxysporum causing fusarium rot of cucumber. M.Sc. Dissertation, Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

  • Chuang TY, Yang HR (1993) Biological control of banana anthracnose. Plant Prot Bull 2:71–77

    Google Scholar 

  • De Costa DM, Erabadupitiya HRUT (2004) An integrated method to control postharvest diseases of banana using a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Postharvest Biol Technol 36:31–39

    Google Scholar 

  • De Costa DM, Subasinghe SSNS (1998) Antagonistic bacteria associated with the fruit skin of banana in controlling its postharvest diseases. Trop Sci 38:206–212

    Google Scholar 

  • Ethugala CV, Karunaratne AM (2002) Disease incidence, physicochemical changes and taste of bananas treated with acetic acid or vinegar. Fruits 57(1):11–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greene GL, Goos RD (1963) Fungi associated with crown rot of boxed bananas. Phytopathology 53:271–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunasinghe RN (2004) Developing a biocontrol method against, Botryodiplodia theobromeae and Colletotrichum musae causing crown rot of ‘Embul’ banana. M.Phil thesis. Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

  • Gunasinghe RN, Ikiriwatte CJ, Karunaratne AM (2004) The use of Pantoea agglomerans and Flavobacterium sp to control banana pathogens. J Horticult Sci Biotechnol 79:1002–1006

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewage KS (1996) Factors influencing postharvest longevity of Embul bananas. Ph.D. Thesis, Wye College, University of London

  • Indrakeerthi SRP (2006) Crown rot of banana and its possible control using papaya latex. M.Phil thesis. Postgraduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

  • Indrakeerthi SLN, Adikaram NKB (1994) Crown rot of banana and its control. Abs. Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science, Part-1, Abstract 109

  • Jeger MD, Eden-green S, Thresh JM, Johanson A, Weller JM, Brown AE (1990) In: Gowen S (ed) Bananas and plantains, 1st edn. Chapman and Hall, UK, pp 362–363

  • Jones DR (1991) Chemical control of crown rot in Queensland bananas. Aust J Exp Agric 31:165–168

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klarman WL, Standford JB (1968) Isolation and purification of an antifungal principle from infected soybeans. Life Sci 7:1095–1103

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krauss U (1996) Establishment of a bioassay for testing control measures against crown rot of banana. Crop Prot 15:269–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lassois L, de Bellaire L, de L, Jijakli MH (2008) Biological control of crown rot of bananas with Pichia anomala strain K and Candida oleophila strain O. Biol Control 45:410–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latunde-Dada OA (2001) Colletotrichum; tales of forcible entry, stealth, transient confinements and breakout. Mol Plant Pathol 2:187–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leifert CLH, Chidburee S, Hampson S, Worlunan S, Sigee D, Epton HAS, Harbour A (1995) Antibiotic production and biocontrol activity by Bacillus subtilis CL27 and Bacillus pumilus CL 45. J Appl Bacteriol 78:97–108

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marin DH, Sutton TB, Blankenship MS, Swallow HW (1996) Pathogenicity of fungi associated with crown rot of banana in Latin America on Grade Nine and disease—Resistant Hybrid bananas. Plant Dis 80:525–528

    Google Scholar 

  • McLean RC, Cook IWR (1963) Plant Science formulae. Macmillan and Co., New York, pp 43

  • Morgan LF (1984) Infection inhibition and germ tube lysis of three cereal rusts by Bacillus pumilus. Phytopathology 53:1346–1349

    Google Scholar 

  • Mortuza GM, Ilag LL (1999) Potential for biocontrol of Lasiodiplodia theobromae in banana fruits by Trichoderma sp. Biol Control 15(3):235–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Munimbazi C, Bullerman BL (1997–1998) Inhibition of aflatoxin production of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 by Bacillus pumulus. Mycopathologia 140:163–169

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nawas NF (2002) The effect of potential biocontrol agents isolated from food sources on fungal contamination of copra and fresh coconut and on quality of coconut oil. M.Phil dissertation, Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. Sri Lanka

  • Perera ODAN, Karunaratne AM (2001) Response of bananas to postharvest acid treatments. J Horticult Sci Biotechnol 76:70–76

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perera ODAN, Karunaratne AM (2002) Postharvest calcium chloride treatments do not help to increase shelf-life of bananas. Fruits 57:87–94

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Perera ODAN, Basnayake BMKMK, Karunaratne AM (1999) Physicochemical characteristics, popularity and susceptibility to anthracnose of some local banana cultivars. J Natl Sci Found Sri Lanka 27(2):119–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinto LSRC, Pereira JO, Azevedo JU, Vieira MLC, Labate CA (2000) Symptomless infection of banana and maize by endophytic fungi impairs photosynthetic efficiency. New Phytol 147:609–615

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Snowdon LN (1990) A color atlas of postharvest diseases and disorders of fruits and vegetables, General introduction and fruits, vol 1. Wolfe scientific Ltd.,London, pp 104–121

  • UNCTAD (2008) Banana quality. Organic and fair trade bananas. http://www.unctad.org/infocomm/anglais/banana/quality.htm. Accessed 3 March 2008

  • Yoshida S, Hiradate S, Tsukamoto T, Hatakeda K, Shirata A (2001) Antimicrobial activity of culture filtrate of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens RC-2 isolated from mulberry leaves. Phytopathology 91:181–187

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are much indebted to Professor N.K.B. Adikaram for discussions of fungal pathogens of banana. Financial assistance by the National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka, research Grant No. RG/99/B/6 and Hilda Obeysekera Research fellowship, are acknowledged.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400, Sri Lanka

    W. K. R. Niroshini Gunasinghe & Anjani M. Karunaratne

Authors
  1. W. K. R. Niroshini Gunasinghe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anjani M. Karunaratne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anjani M. Karunaratne.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Monica Hofte.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Niroshini Gunasinghe, W.K.R., Karunaratne, A.M. Interactions of Colletotrichum musae and Lasiodiplodia theobromae and their biocontrol by Pantoea agglomerans and Flavobacterium sp. in expression of crown rot of “Embul” banana. BioControl 54, 587–596 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-009-9210-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10526-009-9210-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation