Biological control of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi by two bacterial isolated from olive tree phyllosphere

Abstract

Olive knot disease, caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psv), has been responsible for high economical crop losses in olive orchards, especially in Mediterranean countries. Olive knot cannot be eradicated once it is established in an orchard, and therefore its control is based on preventive measures. Laboratory experiments previously performed by us have showed the capacity of some bacterial species, isolated from olive tree phyllosphere, to inhibited Psv growth. In the present work, the two most promising bacterial isolates (i.e. Frondihabitans sp. and Paenibacillus sp.) were evaluated for the control of Psv in olive plantlets (Olea europaea L.) under greenhouse conditions, to predict their effect in a more natural condition. In pot experiments, two-year-old olive plants cv. Cobrançosa were inoculated with the antagonistic bacteria and Psv individually or in combination. Inoculations were performed in wounds previously made in three different sites of the main stem. Thirty replicate plants were used per strain. The plants were observed for symptom development and the number of bacteria on the inoculation sites was periodically evaluated, for up to 120 days after inoculation. To quantify the reduction of symptom expression, knots were excised from stems and their weights were compared between treatments. Inoculation with Psv resulted in the formation of knots with significantly higher weight values compared to plants inoculated simultaneously with Psv and antagonistic bacteria. Both tested bacterial also showed the capacity to reduce the amount of Psv in the inoculation sites, suggesting their effectiveness in controlling the multiplication of the pathogen. Data presented here demonstrate for the first time the potential of these bacteria for suppression of olive knot, and these two species should be considered in the future as potential biocontrol agents against Psv.