Production of antifungal compounds by Lysobacter enzymogenes isolate 3.1T8 under different conditions in relation to its efficacy as a biocontrol agent of Pythium aphanidermatum in cucumber

Lysobacter enzymogenes strain 3.1T8 is a potential biocontrol agent of Pythium aphanidermatum (Edson) Fitzp. in cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.). It showed in vitro antagonistic activity, hemolytic activity, and the production of a surface active compound, which decreased in media of increasing strength. One or more low molecular compounds, present in culture filtrates of 3.1T8, caused rapid immobilization of zoospores of P. aphanidermatum and inhibited cyst germination. Bioassays for suppression of root and crown rot were performed with 2-week-old cucumber plants in nutrient solution. Complete disease suppression occurred after addition of a suspension of unwashed cells grown on nutrient-poor R2A, or the filtrate of this suspension, 1 day before inoculation with zoospores. Application of washed cells caused slight suppression in one of two bioassays only. No disease suppression occurred when bacterial inoculum grown on 1/10 TSBA or in 1/10 TSB was used. In two bioassays on cucumber plants grown for 4–5 weeks in 18-L containers, application of R2A-grown cells of 3.1T8 did not cause disease suppression. Density of 3.1T8, monitored using immunofluorescence colony staining, decreased at least 100-fold during these experiments to approximately log 3–4 cfu ml−1 of nutrient solution and log 5–6 cfu g−1 roots. Overall, the findings indicated a strong influence of nutritional resources on production of antifungal compounds by strain 3.1T8. The lack of disease suppression in hydroculture containers suggested that in situ production of the compounds was insufficient or absent, although the bacteria persisted in the nutrient solution and on the roots of cucumber.