Identification of Pythium carolinianum causing 'root rot' of cotton in Egypt and its possible biological control by Pseudomonas fluorescens

A severe root rot disease of cotton caused by Pythium carolinianum was diagnosed in a cotton field in Beni-Musa village, 20 km southwest of El-Minia city, Egypt, during the summer of 1996. This was the first reported isolation of this fungus in Egypt. In the light of the importance of the cotton industry in Egypt, research was initiated to develop a biocontrol agent against Pythium carolinianum. In vitro agar plate technique identified a Pseudomonas fluorescens strain that was highly antagonist to Pythium carolinianum. Subsequent plant growth experiments establish that substantial disease control could be obtained by applying Pseudomonas fluorescens to the soil. Optimal control was obtained by mixing the bacteria with the soil rather than by dipping the cotton roots in the bacterial suspension immediately before planting. Disease was more severe in autoclaved soil than in nonsterile soil.