Influence of antifungal compounds from a soil-borne actinomycete onFusarium spp. in asparagus.

Asparagus decline syndrome is caused by fungal infection of asparagus roots and crowns byFusarium oxysporum f.sp.asparagi (FOA) andF. moniliforme (FM). Several soil-borne microorganisms have been found inhibitory toFusarium pathogens in other crops. A novelStreptomyces spp. (ME2-27-19A) was isolated from asparagus field soil and found to be inhibitory to FOA and FM in vitro. Solvent extraction of ME2-27-19A and Chromatographic purification of the extract yielded compound(s) that were inhibitory to FOA and FM at 40Μg/ml. ME2-27-19A extract produced variable control of FOA and FM in vitro, and was phytotoxic at 1000 (Μg/ml. In soil, ME2-27-19A extract reduced theFusarium population at 100Μg/ml, but also reduced the asparagus shoot length.