M. Sc. candidat in plant biology
Richard Bélanger lab
Evaluation of Bacillus spp.-based biological products for the suppression of Pythium aphanidermatum on greenhouse cucumber plants
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Approximately 30 to 50% of agricultural losses can be caused by root pathogens such as Pythium spp. To suppress it, four synthetic fungicides are registered in Canada for greenhouse vegetable crops. However, cases of resistance to metalaxyl and propamocarb hydrochloride have been documented with Pythium spp. The lack of alternatives thus reinforces the interest in biological control.
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This project first aims to develop a molecular detection tool capable of identifying different species of Pythium spp. in greenhouses—an essential step in making an accurate diagnosis and choosing an appropriate treatment. Although MAPAQ already has this tool for certain open-field species, the objective is to expand its application to other species found in greenhouse environments. Next, bacteria based products will be evaluated for their repression of P. aphanidermatum, as well as for their biostimulant effects on greenhouse cucumbers. Finally, the persistence of the bacteria will be measured to determine their persistence over time. Thus, this project will be of great use for organic production in current Quebec conditions.
Boulahouat, S., Cherif-Silini, H., Silini, A., Bouket, A. C., Luptakova, L., Alenezi, F. N., & Belbahri, L. (2023). Biocontrol efficiency of rhizospheric Bacillus against the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum: a promising approach for sustainable agriculture. Microbiology Research, 14(3), 892-908. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres14030062
Gordon, T. R. (2017). Fusarium oxysporum and the Fusarium wilt syndrome. Annual review of phytopathology, 55(1), 23-39. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-phyto-080615-095919
Punja, Z. K., Tirajoh, A., Collyer, D., & Ni, L. (2019). Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis strain QST 713 (Rhapsody) against four major diseases of greenhouse cucumbers. Crop Protection, 124, 104845. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2019.104845
Punja, Z. K., & Yip, R. (2003). Biological control of damping-off and root rot caused by Pythium aphanidermatum on greenhouse cucumbers. Canadian Journal of Plant Pathology, 25(4), 411-417. https://doi.org/10.1080/07060660309507098
Rai, M., Abd-Elsalam, K. A., & Ingle, A. P. (Eds.). (2020). Pythium: diagnosis, diseases and management. CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9780429296406