The Mycolytic Phenomenon and Biological Control of Fusarium in Soil

Abstract

THERE have been many attempts to make use of biological control measures for the suppression of plant pathogens, borne by soil. Frequently, these attempts involve the inoculation into soil of organisms which antagonize the pathogens in vitro ; such procedures try to disturb the natural microbiological equilibrium by the simple introduction into the environment of individual isolates. The frequent failure of the added micro-organisms to become established is not surprising because the biological associations and antagonisms within the ecosystem determine the composition of the microflora, the climax population being a reflexion of the physical and chemical characteristics of the habitat. By modifying the habitat, however, it is possible to alter the composition of the microflora, and such microbiological alterations may destroy plant pathogens borne by soil.