Biofertilizer action in citrus canker control

ABSTRACT

Biofertilizers can act in controlling diseases by the activity of metabolites of the present microorganisms or by the direct competition between the microorganisms and the pathogen. The objective of the present study was to evaluate citrus canker control in two citrus genotypes by activated and microfiltered biofertilizer. The varieties “Folha Murcha” and “Pêra” were evaluated, as well as the potential of the biofertilizer to control the disease due to inoculation of the bacterium in detached leaves. The leaves were disinfected, punctured with a needle and sprayed with a bacterial suspension at the concentration 10⁸ CFU mL^-1. Four replicates, with 8 leaves each, were used for each biofertilizer dose (0, 5, 10 and 15 L ha^-1) and evaluations were performed at 10, 15 and 20 days after inoculation by measuring the diameter of lesions. The data underwent analysis of variance and the means were compared according to Tukey’s test at 5% significance. The two fertilizer compositions reduced lesion size and prevented lesion growth; however, the activated biofertilizer had better disease control in “Folha Murcha” variety at 10 L ha^-1. The use of biofertilizer has the potential to control citrus canker.

Keywords
FertBokashi; Alternative control; Xanthomonas citri subsp citri