BioControl (2012) 57, 827-836

Yuvarani Naidu, Sariah Meon and Yasmeen Siddiqui (2012)
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of microbial-enriched compost tea on the development of powdery mildew on melon
BioControl 57 (6), 827-836
Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of microbial-enriched compost tea (CT) on the conidial germination of Golovinomyces cichoracearum DC. and development of powdery mildew on melons in a time-dependent manner. In vitro conidial germination was significantly reduced by 94 % and 85 % upon treatment with Daconil® (fungicide) or microbial-enriched CT, respectively, 96 h after incubation (hai). Morphological analysis under light microscopy demonstrated that conidia co-incubated with microbial-enriched CT at 48 hai appeared ruptured, which contributed to higher inhibition of conidial germination, increased cell permeability and leakage of cellular contents. These observations may be explained by antibiosis. Moreover, different application time of microbial-enriched CT on melons significantly affected disease development. There was a delay in disease development by 12 days in plants treated with Daconil®, microbial-enriched CT applied 24 h after inoculation and microbial-enriched CT applied simultaneously with inoculation when compared to the control treatment. Curative application of microbial-enriched CT (24 h after inoculation) delayed the onset of disease, and the efficiency of inhibition was comparable to a fungicidal spray (Daconil®). Hence, microbial-enriched CT may be used to inhibit the development of powdery mildew on melons, thus reducing the dependency on chemical fertilisers.
(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): Yasmeen Siddiqui

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Golovinomyces cichoracearum	Melon (Cucumis melo)	Malaysia