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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #92906
Title: MICROBIAL ECOLOGY OF CACAO AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF FUNGAL DISEASES

Author
item HEBBAR, PRAKASH - PENN STATE UNIV, PA
item GUILTINAN, MARK - PENN STATE UNIV, PA
item Lumsden, Robert

Submitted to: American Phytopathological Society Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/20/1998
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N.A.

Technical Abstract: A study of the microbial populations associated with the various parts of cacao thought to be the "sites of infection" for cacao fungal pathogens, Phytophthora spp. causing black pod and Crinipellis perniciosa causing witches'-broom, were conducted with the aim of identifying the "major group" or "groups" of microorganisms with a potential for biocontrol. The study indicated that bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes were found associated with both aerial parts and the rhizosphere of cacao and high populations of yeasts were detected only on the aerial parts of the plant. Bacteria associated with the aerial parts were highly pigmented. Total populations of yeasts were significantly higher in a cultivar tolerant to witches broom than in a susceptible. In in vitro tests and in bioassays, a few of the cacao-associated microorganisms were suppressive against Phytophthora spp. and C. perniciosa and thus have a potential to be used as biocntrol agents.