Polyfunctional Properties Of The Entomopathogenic Bacterium In Protecting Potato In Western Siberia

P. Tsvetkova¹, M. V. Shternshis¹*, E. I. Shatalova¹, S.A. Bakhvalov¹, V. S. Maslennikova¹ and S.D. Grishechkina²

¹Novosibirsk State Agrarian University, 630039, Novosibirsk, Russia. ²All-Russian Institute of Agricultural Microbiology, 196608, St. Petersburg-Pushkin, Russia.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/1996

ABSTRACT: The Colorado potato beetle and the plant pathogen Rhizoctonia are the major harmful organisms affecting potatoes in Western Siberia. The present study has shown the possibility of simultaneous biological control of pests and diseases by preventing treatment of tubers with entomopathogenic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. darmstadiensis (BtH₁₀), strain RCAM 01490, followed by spraying with the same suspension during the growing season. The tests of middle-early cultivar “Yuna” were conducted under laboratory and field conditions during the course of two years. Population of the Colorado potato beetle has decreased by 3 times during both years in comparison with the control. The severity of stem canker decreased by 23.8 and 11.4 times, while stolon canker - by 2.6 and 12.4 times in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The growth-promoting action was manifested in increased height of plants, number of stems and stolons, as well as the increase in the proportion of large daughter tubers. As a result, the insecticidal, antifungal and growth-promoting cumulative effect of the entomopathogenic bacterium was revealed, resulting in higher biomass of potato daughter tubers, which exceeded biomass in control test by 1.4-1.6 times.

KEYWORDS: entomopathogenic bacterium; insecticidal and fungicidal activity; plant growth stimulation, potato; polyfunctional properties

[ HTML Full Text]