The biocontrol of blackleg using carnivorous bacteria
To investigate the use of Myxobacteria (a group of bacteria which adopt a “wolf-pack” hunting strategy against other bacteria and fungi) for the control of L. maculans, the causative agent of blackleg in canola. The successful completion of this project would provide a novel potential biocontrol strategy for the control of blackleg on canola.
Summary
This goal of this project was to determine whether species of “carnivorous” bacteria isolated in Manitoba could inhibit or kill the causative agent of blackleg, Leptosphaeria maculans. We proposed to isolate and identify a variety of Myxobacteria from Manitoban samples of soil, sediment and compost. These Myxobacterial isolates were to be tested against laboratory fungi and then against Leptosphaeria maculans in laboratory assays to determine their potential for killing L. maculans. A number of Gram-negative, rod shaped bacteria (morphologically identical to Myxobacteria) were isolated. Several possessed anti-fungal activity. None were determined to be antagonistic to L. maculans. Ten isolates of Myxobacteria were obtained from the University of Mississippi and are currently being tested for antagonistic activity against L. maculans. Manitoban soils contain bacteria, probably Myxobacteria, which are antagonistic against fungi and could well be able to control blackleg. Further testing will determine whether this is correct.