ARS | Publication request: INFLUENCE OF BIOCONTROL AGENTS AND OTHER BIOLOGICAL AMENDMENTS ON SOIL MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 20, 2004
Publication Date: July 20, 2004
Citation: Larkin, R.P. 2004. Influence of biocontrol agents and other biological amendments on soil microbial communities. American Phytopathological Society Abstracts. 94: S56

Technical Abstract: Biocontrol organisms added to soil for disease control affect and are affected by indigenous soil microbial communities. These interactions may determine biocontrol capabilities, either in enhancing or disabling pathogen and disease suppression. However, little information exists on the fate and effects of biological amendments after application. In this research, the persistance and effects of commercially-available biocontrol products, including Bacillus subtilis GB03, Burkholderia cepacia J82, Trichoderma harzianum T-22, and Trichoderma virens Gl-21, on soil microbial communities in the field were evaluated. In addition, effects of other biological amendments, including mycorrhizae, microbial inoculants, biostimulants, compost, and compost tea, were evaluated in greenhouse tests. Biocontrol amendments significantly affected microbial community characteristics, based on changes in culturable population dynamics, substrate utilization, and fatty acid (FAME) profiles, and some effects were still evident 1 year after application.