Project Number: 1275-22620-001-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Nov 26, 2002
End Date: Nov 25, 2007

Objective:
Objective 1: Assess the potential of microbes to control soil-borne plant pathogenic fungi and determine biological, environmental and ecological factors affecting performance of these microbes. Objective 2: Characterize biological, ecological and genetic relationships among and within pathogenic, saprophytic and biocontrol soil-borne microorganisms. Objective 3. Elucidate mechanisms of action of biocontrol agents used against soil-borne plant pathogens, and, where previous work identified a general mechanism of action, identify the specific underlying basis of the mechanism. Work will include, but is not limited to, the nature of resistance to Fusarium wilt in tomato induced by Fusarium oxysporum strain CS-20.

Approach:
For objective 1, the approach will include studies on inoculum density relationships between biocontrol agents and pathogens, tests on tomato cultivars with different combinations of resistance genes, effect of environmental parameters on biocontrol performance, efficacy against pathogens other than Fusarium, studies on mechanisms of action of biocontrol agents, field testing, production, formulation and delivery of biocontrol agents, and integration into the production system. For objective 2, genetic relationships among pathogenic, saprophytic and bicontrol Fusaria will be determined, and markers for biocontrol ability will be identified. Biological and ecological interactions among these groups will be determined. For objective 3, the relationship of resistance induced by F. oxysporum CS-20 to systemic acquired resistance and the location of resistance in the plant will be determined.

Project Team

Fravel, Deborah

Project Annual Reports

FY 2003