Biocontrol of black currant diseases using microorganisms under Siberian conditions

The study presents the results of field trials of the experimental biopreparation Fitop 26.82, which contains various strains of spore-forming bacteria: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens VKPM B-10642, Bacillus licheniformis VKPM B-10562, Bacillus subtilis VKPM B-10641, nematophagous fungi Arthrobotrys oligospora VKPM F-1141 and Duddingtonia flagrans VKM F-2574, as well as the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana. This is compared with Fitop 8.67, which includes the spore biomass of bacteria Bacillus subtilis strain VKPM B-10641, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain VKPM B-10642 and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain VKPM V-10643, against fungal diseases of black currant such as anthracnose (Gloeosporium ribis Mont. et Desm.) and septoria leaf spot (Septoria ribis Desm.). The concentration of the mixtures was 105 CFU/ml. Topaz at 0.1 % concentration was used as a chemical standard. The conducted research demonstrated a nearly threefold reduction in the incidence of blackcurrant leaves when using biopreparations more than a month after their application for both septoria and anthracnose. The biological effectiveness of the experimental preparation Fitop 26.82 and Fitop 8.67 reached 64 % in 2017–2018 and 83 % in 2019 for septoria, for anthracnose this value was 71–81 % and 54,5 % for Fitop 26.82 and Fitop 8.67, accordingly, in 2017, and in 2018–2019 more than one month after application. Application of these biopreparations prolonged suppression of fungal disease development, highlighting the potential for their biological control under Siberian conditions. It should be noted that Fitop 26.82 consists of more ingredients including nematophagous fungi. Consequently, it would be more appropriate to use this preparation in the presence of phytonematodes in the field.