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Disease Control and Pest Management

Biological Control of Rhizopus Rot of Peach with Enterobacter cloacae. Charles L. Wilson, Supervisory research plant pathologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, Kearneysville, WV 25430; Jerry D. Franklin(2), and P. Lawrence Pusey(3). (2)Technician, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506; (3)Research plant pathologist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southeastern Fruit and Nut Research Laboratory, Byron, GA 31008. Phytopathology 77:303-305. Accepted for publication 19 May 1986. Copyright 1987 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-77-303.

Enterobacter cloacae (isolate D-3) delayed the onset and reduced the development of rot in artificially wounded peaches inoculated with Rhizopus stolonifer. Rhizopus infection was completely inhibited in 70% of fruit up to 5 days after inoculation. The effectiveness of E. cloacae was related to relative inocula concentrations of the pathogen and antagonist. Fruit firmness affected Rhizopus infection, but not E. cloacae effectiveness in controlling Rhizopus rot. Washed cells of E. cloacae were more effective than cells applied with the culture medium in which they grew. No compounds toxic to Rhizopus were detected in culture filtrates of E. cloacae.