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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145760
Title: DELETERIOUS RHIZOBACTERIA ENHANCE THE ACTION OF NATURAL HERBICIDAL PRODUCTS

Author
item ZDOR, ROBERT - ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
item ALEXANDER, CAROL - ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
item Kremer, Robert

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/16/2003
Publication Date: 6/1/2003
Citation: ZDOR, R.E., ALEXANDER, C., KREMER, R.J. DELETERIOUS RHIZOBACTERIA ENHANCE THE ACTION OF NATURAL HERBICIDAL PRODUCTS. AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY. 2003. ABSTRACT P. 438

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Rhizobacteria have been shown to suppress weed growth in field tests. The efficacy of these bacteria in weed biological control schemes potentially could be enhanced if combined with other herbicidal agents. This study compared the relative inhibitory action of the deleterious rhizobacterium (DRB) Pseudomonas fluorescens G2-11 with corn gluten meal (CGM) and semolina flour towards wheat, green foxtail and velvetleaf in soil assays. Inocula of G2-11 was successfully prepared with semolina flour but was incompatible with CGM presumably due to antibacterial factors present. The effects of the agents were influenced by the soil used with the strongest effects seen in fine sandy loam. Semolina flour reduced root growth for all three plants except for velvetleaf in silt loam. The greatest reduction in seed germination occurred with green foxtail resulting in only 8% of the seeds germinating. With the exception of wheat, strain G2-11 improved the seed suppressive qualities of semolina flour yielding results comparable to CGM treated plants. Strain G2-11 generally was most successful in reducing root growth when formulated in semolina as compared to a liquid suspension. These results suggest that natural herbicidal materials along with selected DRB are important components for weed management considerations in sustainable agriculture.