The symbiosis of Bacillus subtilis L-forms with Chinese cabbage seedlings inhibits conidial germination of Botrytis cinerea.
OBJECTIVE
To establish whether germination of Botrytis cinerea was affected by the symbiosis of Bacillus subtilis L-form bacteria with Chinese cabbage.


RESULTS
Germinating seeds of Chinese cabbage were co-cultivated with either L-forms of Bacillus subtilis or 5% (w/v) mannitol by soaking for 3 h. Seeds were then washed in sterile water, sown on a minimal medium and incubated in controlled conditions. L-form symbiosis was detected over a time course by ELISA. Conidial germination of Botrytis cinerea was significantly reduced on cotyledonous leaves of L-form-treated plants compared with controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Symbiosis of B. subtilis L-form bacteria during seed germination of Chinese cabbage inhibits conidial germination in plants on subsequent exposure to Botrytis cinerea.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first account of plant symbiosis with L-form bacteria showing antagonism to a fungal plant pathogen. This has promising implications for the use of this L-form as a biocontrol agent.
Walker
R
R
Department of Agriculture & Forestry, University of Aberdeen, 581 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5UA, UK.
Ferguson
C M J
CM
Booth
N A
NA
Allan
E J
EJ
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000502:physiology*; D001937:Brassica / Q000382:microbiology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D018525:Germination; D007740:L Forms / Q000502:physiology*; D003904:Mitosporic Fungi / Q000254:growth & development*; D013559:Symbiosis