Annals of Applied Biology (2015) 167, 250-261

L. Soto-Muñoz, R. Torres, J. Usall, I. Viñas, S. Dashevskaya and N. Teixidó (2015)
Environmental monitoring of the biocontrol agent Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2 applied to citrus fruit at preharvest
Annals of Applied Biology 167 (2), 250-261
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the environmental fate and behaviour of the biocontrol product based on Pantoea agglomerans CPA-2 cells after its release into the field. Three different methods, dilution plating, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and propidium monoazide combined with qPCR (PMA-qPCR) were used to track the CPA-2 population. Populations quantified by qPCR were statistically different compared with those by the PMA-qPCR and dilution plating methods. In addition, the spray dispersion of the CPA-2 treatment was evaluated using water-sensitive papers. A lack of dispersion of the CPA-2 treatment was observed at distances of 2.5 ± 0.5 m. The presence and persistence of CPA-2 in the environment were monitored in different areas, by dilution plating and confirmed by conventional PCR. The results showed that CPA-2 can survive but not proliferate on weed and leaves. The persistence on inert surfaces, such as motorised backpack sprayer, gloves and working clothes, was less than 7 days. In conclusion, PMA-qPCR was a potential tool for fast and specific monitoring of viable populations of CPA-2 and it gave valuable information on population behaviour. Moreover, the results demonstrate that CPA-2 would not present a risk for the environment because of its low establishment, survival and dispersion.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Neus Teixidó, Rosario Torres, Josep Usall

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
non-target effects/fate in environm.

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Pantoea agglomerans (antagonist)