Abstract:
Objective To study the pH range favoring Esteya vermicola, and the effects of pine substrate on the growth of E. vermicola so as to provide references for colonization of E. vermicola in Pinus trees and the biological control against pine wood nematodes.
Method E. vermicola CBS115803 (EV115803) and E. vermicola CNU120806 (EV120806) were used to test their fungal pH adaptation range. The media with different parts of pine were prepared to study the growth of E. vermicola and to observe and measure the growth rate, mycelial amount and sporulation of each strain.
Result E. vermicola was adapted to the pH range of 5 to 13, and the fungi produced more aerial hyphae under acidic conditions. PDA medium added with different parts of pine trees had a certain stimulating effect for E. vermicola. When pine needles, pine bark, and pine twigs were used as the only nutrient source, E. vermicola grew better than on WA plate. E. vermicola strains grew slowly when xylem sawdust was used as a single nutrient source.
Conclusion E. vermicola is adapted to the pH range of 5 to 13. It is extremely resistant to alkaline and can grow on media added with different parts of pine trees. It is expected that E. vermicola will colonize the pine trees as symbiotic fungi against invading pine wood nematodes, so that pine trees have endogenous control factors for pine wood nematodes.