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Diseases & Disorders An apple blossom Stigma Style Anther Build A Stronger Foundation With Filament Petal Hypanthium Ovary Ovule SOURCE: Dr. Larry Pusey, USDA Efficacy of biocontrols might also be improved by for- mulating living cells of microorganisms with the metabo- lites produced during their growth, Pusey said. Some metabolites inhibit the fireblight organism, but are cur- rently discarded during the production process. Serenade contains both the live bacterium Bacillus subtilis and its metabolites. Researchers believe that the metabolites are the active component and the bacterium contributes very little to fireblight control. Pusey is also collaborating with Dr. Antonet Svircev with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Vineland, Ontario, who is exploring the use of bacteriophages, which are viruses that reproduce within bacteria and could attack the fireblight organism. Pusey is looking at whether Pantoea agglomerans E325 could be used as a carrier for phages that Canadian scientists have collected from major fruit-growing regions in order to improve biological control overall. Yeasts Yeasts have good potential as biocontrols because they are better able than bacteria to tolerate the high sugar concentrations in the hypanthium. Since the strains of A. pullans in the product BlossomProtect were not initially selected with fireblight control in mind, Pusey hopes to find other strains that perform even better for fireblight control. As BlossomProtect has proven most effective when applied with a pH-4 buffer, yeast strains will be studied in combination with various pH buffers. Integrated management Ultimately, researchers would like to integrate biolog- ical controls with other control strategies for fireblight. In the absence of antibiotics, there will still be a need for controls that can be used with predictive models. Dr. Viji Sarojini in Auckland, New Zealand, is exploring the use of antimicrobial peptides (which form part of the natural immune systems of all life forms) to suppress the fireblight bacteria. Whereas other biological control agents need to be applied early, before the fireblight bac- teria are active, these might be used in a similar way to antibiotics when the disease risk is reported to be high. Even if they are not as effective as antibiotics, they might have potential in an integrated program, Pusey said. Plant-resistance inducers, such as the harpin protein sold as Messenger, might complement these other approaches, as might copper used as a dormant spray. Pusey presented the information during the Washing- ton State Horticultural Association's annual meeting in December. • www.goodfruit.com Prevent calcium deficiencies and improve fruit quality with the quick response of ProNatural Calcium. Contact your local Wilbur-Ellis nutrition specialist for more information. Pasco, WA | 509.545.9329 Wenatchee, WA | 509.663.8753 Yakima, WA | 509.248.6171 Important: Always read and follow label directions before buying or using any product. WILBUR-ELLIS Logo, Ideas To Grow With and ProNatural are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company. K-0112-079 Sepal CALCIUM GOOD FRUIT GROWER FEBRUARY 15, 2012 21