ARS | Publication request: EFFECT OF PLANT ACTIVATORS ON SOIL-RHIZOSPHERE MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES

Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 23, 2003
Publication Date: November 2, 2003
Citation: COLLINS, H.P., GRUNWALD, N.J., NAVARRE, D.A., PIERCE, F.J. EFFECT OF PLANT ACTIVATORS ON SOIL-RHIZOSPHERE MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRONOMY ABSTRACTS - CD, SO3-Collins 760503. 2003.

Technical Abstract: Several plant activators (BTH, harpin and a betaglucan) were evaluated for their effects on microbial populations in the rhizosphere of potato. These plant activators are known to elicit the systemic acquired response(SAR) of plants, that induces a natural defense mechanism. This study was conducted to determine if the SAR response is observed in the potato root system and to document changes in rhizosphere microbial populations. Potato seed var. Russet Burbank was planted in plots of 15 m length × 5m width (six rows 87 cm spacing). SAR inducing compounds were applied approximately every three weeks with a backpack pressurized sprayer. Distilled, de-ionized water was used for preparation of all treatments. SAR inducing compounds were prepared fresh right before field application. We measured changes in microbial biomass C and N, C and N mineralization and microbial populations on selected media. Microbial populations monitored included selected plant pathogens and communities of culturable bacteria, pseudomonads and nematodes.