6533b839fe1ef96bd12a61e9

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Molecular tools to monitor a biocontrol agent and to assess its environmental impacts

subject

description

The use of non pathogenic strains of Fusarium oxysporum has been proposed to control Fusarium diseases responsible for severe damages in many crops of economical importance. In order to monitor the biocontrol strain Fo47 after application in greenhouse and field, we have developed a specific molecular tool based on a sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR). Primers targeting a 210-bp fragment were designed to set up a real time PCR assay allowing the identification of the biocontrol strain and its quantification in environmental samples. The assay enabled specific detection of the strain in soils without cross detection of autochthonous populations of F. oxysporum. After its introduction in soil, a biocontrol agent will interact with all the biotic components and might have side-effects on the soilborne microflora. In order to assess the non-target effects of the strain Fo47, we have monitored the microbial community structures for one year following the introduction of the biocontrol strain in two different soils. Bacterial and fungal community structures were assessed using a molecular fingerprinting method based on terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of 16S and 18S ribosomal DNA. In both soils, the community structures of both microbial components were not significantly affected by the introduction of Fo47, indicating that the microbial balance was not displaced by the biocontrol strain.