COLONIZATION OF CHLAMYDOSPORES OF FUSARIUM-OXYSPORUM F SP RAPHANI BY SOIL BACTERIA AND THEIR EFFECTS ON GERMINATION

Bacteria attached to chlamydospores of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani were isolated and cultured. They were identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri and Pimelobacter sp., which colonized chlamydospores, and also an unidentified species, which appeared to penetrate the outer cell walls. Four of five isolates suppressed chlamydospore formation from mycelia and two isolates identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri markedly decreased the gemination of chlamydospores in distilled water and in a nutrient solution. These bacteria could be effective agents available for inducing death of the pathogen. All isolates, however, were not antagonistic to the fungus on three different media tested. Our study has presented an alternative strategy for the selection of potential antagonists.