Project Number: 500-42-001-56
Project Type: Grant

Start Date: Mar 31, 2004
End Date: Mar 30, 2005

Objective:
Investigate the interaction between soil moisture content, pH, and population density of pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of Streptomyces scabies; evaluate temporal distribution of S. scabies under different irrigation regimes; survey soil samples from different growing regions in Michigan for antagonistic microflora and investigate their effect on S. scabies and scab development under different irrigation regimes; and, evaluate the usefulness of some non-pathogenic strains of S. scabies and other antagonistic organisms as biocontrol agents for scab disease.

Approach:
In the greenhouse, inoculate sterile sandy, loam, and muck soils with S. scabies; plant susceptible potato tubers and subject to different irrigation regimes; collect soil samples during experiment to determine soil moisture content, pH, and population density of S. Scabies; evaluate tubers for development of scab. To evaluate soil for antagonistic microorganisms, collect soil samples from different potato growing regions in Michigan with a history of scab; analyze soil samples for presence of antagonistic microorganisms; test suppressive strains as candidate biocontrol agents in vitro to characterize the mechanism of action in suppression. In the laboratory, estimate population density of S. scabies by dilution plate methods; use real time PCR to determine population density of pathogenic vs. non-pathogenic strains of S. scabies.

Project Team

Bennett, A. Rick Raymond Hammerschmidt - Professor 301-504-6915

Related National Programs

Plant Diseases (303)