Supression of Botrytis cinerea causing grey mould disease of grape vine (Vitis vinifera) and its pectinolytic activities by a soil bacterium

Abstract Botrytis cinerea was found to be pathogenic to grapevine, producing characteristic grey mould symptoms within 7 days of inoculation into vitroplants. An endospore forming bacterial strain (GI 070), Bacillus circulans , was found to be antagonist against this disease causing fungus. Under laboratory conditions the bacterial culture or its filtrate brings about complete suppression of the fungus in Petri-dishes and the grey mould symptoms on grapevine vitroplants. Pectinolytic activities (Polygalacaturonase, Pectin lyases) of Botrytis cinerea were also influenced by these bacteria. Details of the fungal parasite, its biological control and its pectinolytic activities are discussed in this article.