Index >> Microbial Products Influencing Plant Growth >> Antibiotics

Antibiotics
Antagonism among microorganisms is a common phenomenon in soil resulting from the production of antibiotics. In human medicine, an­tibiotics have proved to be of great therapeutic value. Some of these antibiotics have also a potential role in controlling plants dis­eases.

As examples of antifungal antibiotics useful in the control of plant diseases, two prominent products can be cited: griseofulvin, a metabolic product of Penicillium griseofulvum and aureofungin, a metabolic product of Streptoverticillium cinnammomeum var. terricolum. Application of griseofulvin has proved successful in minimizing infection of plants by Botrytis. Extensive trials in Japan have shown excellent control of monilia disease of apple caused by Sclerotinia.