陕北枣区鲜食枣适应性研究

对陕北枣区34个地方鲜食枣品种的性状与分布情况进行了调查．分析了降雨量、光照、温度等气象因子对陕北早、中、晚熟鲜食枣品种生长的影响,并对陕北地方品种和引进品种的物候期和品质状况进行了研究。结果表明．陕北发展鲜食枣优势明显,品种选择应以中晚熟为主．早熟品种次之,品种生育期应为≤110d。     

不同时期根施钾肥对沿黄灌区‘骏枣’光合特性及其产量和品质的影响

在沿黄灌区选择8年生‘骏枣’植株,以不施钾肥作为对照,分别在果树开花期、幼果期、果实膨大期、转色期每株沟施300 g硫酸钾,测定各处理果实品质、产量、叶片光合以及荧光参数的变化,以明确沿黄灌区‘骏枣’的最佳施钾时期,为制定枣树合理施肥措施提供理论依据。结果表明:(1)与对照相比,施用钾肥可促进骏枣的光合作用、改善果实品质,且不同生育期效应不同,并以果实膨大期施用钾肥对提高骏枣果实品质、产量、叶片光合效果最为显著。(2)果实膨大期施用钾肥后,‘骏枣’的果实纵径、横径、果形指数、单果重、单株产量比对照分别显著提高了22.64%、39.33%、13.62%、19.52%和19.58%,果实维生素C(Vc)、可溶性糖和果糖的含量、糖酸比分别比对照显著提高了37.98%、22.82%、31.37%和29.95%,叶片叶绿素含量、净光合速率(P_n)、气孔导度(G_s)和蒸腾速率(T_r)比对照分别显著提高了28.91%、38.44%、36.75%和27.25%,叶片初始荧光(F_o)、最大荧光(F_m)、电子传递速率(ETR)比对照分别显著提高了28.18%、29.15%和37.75%,而胞间CO _2浓度(C_i)和裂果率在果实膨大期达到最低值,比对照分别显著降低了28.34%和35.50%。研究发现,在‘骏枣’果实膨大期株施300 g钾肥,可显著增加植株叶片叶绿素含量、光合作用效率和光能吸收、电子传递效率,提高树体光合能力,显著降低裂果率,有效改善骏枣果实外在和内在品质,显著提高单株产量。     

枣花芽分化过程中营养物质和内源激素含量及抗氧化酶活性变化研究

以新疆主栽品种灰枣和骏枣的花芽为材料,测定不同分化时期花芽的可溶性糖、还原糖、淀粉、可溶性蛋白含量,SOD、POD、PPO、CAT活性以及内源GA₃、IAA、ABA、ZT水平的变化,并分析它们与花芽分化的关系,为枣花芽分化调控提供理论参考。结果表明:(1)灰枣和骏枣花芽可溶性糖、还原糖和淀粉含量在花芽分化过程的变化趋势基本相似,于花原基分化期至雌蕊分化期先降低后升高,至雌蕊分化期到达峰值;而可溶性蛋白质含量变化趋势相反,在花原基分化期至雌蕊分化期先上升再降低。(2)在整个花芽分化过程中,其POD、PPO、CAT活性变化趋势基本一致,从花芽开始分化后逐步降低,最低点出现在雌蕊分化期;两个品种花芽SOD活性在花原基分化期至分化初期时显著上升,之后SOD活性在灰枣中不断降低,而在骏枣中则显著上升。(3)两品种花芽IAA、GA₃、ZT含量在分化过程中的变化规律基本相似,它们均在萼片分化期前呈下降趋势,之后GA₃、ZT含量及灰枣中IAA含量逐渐上升,而骏枣IAA含量在萼片分化期至花瓣分化期呈先显著上升后下降再上升;灰枣ABA含量在花原基分化期至萼片分化期显著上升,而同期骏枣则显著降低,随着分化进程的推进,灰枣ABA含量在萼片分化期后逐步降低,而骏枣则逐步上升并在雌蕊分化期达到峰值。(4)花芽分化开始后,骏枣ABA/IAA、ZT/IAA、GA₃/IAA比值快速上升,但GA₃/ABA、ZT/ABA的比值呈下降趋势;灰枣ZT/IAA、GA₃/IAA在花原基分化期至萼片分化期显著上升后降低,分化结束后低于花原基分化期。研究认为,枣花芽开始分化后会消耗大量的营养物质,导致花芽的可溶性糖、淀粉和还原糖含量降低,且整个分化过程中淀粉含量始终高于可溶性糖和还原糖含量;两个品种枣花芽分化过程中POD、CAT、PPO活性下降以及骏枣花芽分化过程中SOD活性的上升均有利于枣营养生长向生殖生长的转变,且枣花芽分化过程中低水平的GA₃和IAA、中等水平的ABA、较高水平的ZT,以及较高的ZT/IAA、ABA/IAA和GA₃/IAA有利于枣花芽分化和花芽形成。     

3个枣品种的核型分析

采用酶解去壁低渗法对大荔龙枣、骏枣和冬枣3个枣品种进行了核型研究.结果表明:3个枣品种的染色体数目均为2n=24,核型公式分别为大荔龙枣(Zizphus jujuba Mill 'Dalilongzao')2n=2x=24=20m(4SAT)+4sm,骏枣(Z.jujuba Mi1l.'Junzao')2n=2x=24...     

枣及酸枣小孢子不同发育时期的花器形态与解剖特性研究

以枣(赞皇大枣、骏枣、苹果枣和梨枣)和酸枣为试材,对小孢子不同发育时期的花器形态与解剖特性进行研究.结果表明,小孢子单核晚期花蕾为黄绿色,花药为淡黄色,赞皇大枣花蕾横径为2.7mm左右,纵径为1.6mm左右;骏枣、苹果枣和梨枣花蕾横径范围为2.0mm左右,纵径范围为1.1～1.8mm;酸枣花蕾横径为1.9mm左右,纵径为1.0mm左右.在单倍体育种中,可依据花器官形态判别小孢子的发育时期,从而判别花药培养或小孢子培养的最佳取材时间.     

枣果吸水动力学特征和果皮显微结构对裂果的影响

裂果是对枣产量和品质影响最大、最难防治的生理性病害,本研究旨在揭示抗裂果枣品种的抗性机制,为有效防治枣裂果和选育抗裂果枣品种提供依据。选择不同抗裂等级的枣品种为试材,通过室内浸水试验研究枣果水势、持水率、吸水率、吸水速率等吸水动力学指标与裂果率和裂果指数等抗裂等级指标之间的相关性,同时利用组织切片技术观测果皮显微结构与抗裂等级的关系。结果表明,枣果水势高低不能反映枣果固有的抗裂等级;枣果的持水率与裂果率、裂果指数之间均没有显著相关性;脆熟期枣果的吸水率与裂果率和裂果指数呈极显著正相关;吸水率阈值时的吸水速率随枣果抗裂等级的升高逐渐降低,极抗裂品种长红枣和极易裂品种骏枣吸水率阈值时的吸水速率分别为0.20%/h和0.52%/h;极抗裂品种长红枣的果皮蜡被厚度极显著高于其他品种,而且果皮细胞排列规则紧密;枣果抗裂性与果皮厚度相关性不显著;果实中上部(近果柄端)为开裂的敏感部位。     

枣合子胚和体细胞胚发育过程的观察与比较

本实验对临猗梨枣、壶瓶枣、晋矮1号等13个品种的枣胚的发育过程进行了观察,并诱导晋矮1号成熟胚的愈伤组织通过体细胞胚发生途径形成再生植株。结果表明:体细胞胚产生于愈伤组织的表层细胞或内部细胞。在鱼雷胚期已有导管的分化,子叶期的维管组织呈“Y”形。枣合子胚及体细胞胚的发育均经历了原胚、球形胚、心形胚、鱼雷胚和子叶胚五个时期。大多数品种的枣胚从球形胚期或心形胚期即开始败育,只有极少数品种可发育到成熟胚,而且合子胚形成的能力、胚败育时发育的程度等均存在着大的品种间差异,同一品种甚至同一子房内胚的发育进程也不同步。     

CaCl2浸果对新疆枣裂果率及钙钾镁含量的影响

以新疆产不同抗裂性枣品种‘骏枣’、‘哈密大枣’、‘灰枣’、‘金铃圆枣’果实为试验材料,用不同浓度CaCl2(0、2.5、25g/L)分别浸泡12、36、60h,研究CaCl2对枣裂果率及果肉、果皮中Ca、K、Mg含量的影响。结果显示:(1)2.5、25g/L CaCl2均能有效降低枣裂果率,且25g/L CaCl2对各品种枣的防裂效果均优于2.5g/L CaCl2。(2)极抗裂品种枣的果皮、果肉中Ca显著高于极易裂品种,且各品种Ca含量均随CaCl2浓度增加而增加。(3)极抗裂品种枣的果皮、果肉中K含量高于极易裂品种,其Mg含量则表现出相反趋势,但不同浓度CaCl2处理的枣果肉、果皮中Mg、K升降幅度变化不同。(4)枣果肉、果皮中Ca、K含量与裂果率呈负相关关系,Mg含量与裂果率呈正相关关系。研究认为,CaCl2浸果能有效增加枣果肉、果皮中钙含量,影响各品种枣果实的钾镁含量,显著降低枣裂果率,并以25g/L CaCl2效果最好。     

不同品种枣树对枣飞象成虫寿命和繁殖的影响

为了明确不同品种枣树对枣飞象Scythropus yasumatsui成虫寿命和繁殖的影响,筛选出枣飞象成虫适宜的枣树品种,以期为枣飞象建立人工饲养种群和综合治理奠定基础。在室内以木枣、狗头枣、赞皇枣、骏枣和酸枣分别饲养枣飞象成虫,研究不同品种枣树对枣飞象成虫寿命、产卵前期、产卵期、产卵量、卵孵化率和每雌子代数的影响。不同品种枣树对枣飞象成虫寿命有明显影响,取食木枣的雌、雄虫寿命最长,分别为36.6±1.15 d和32.3±1.61 d,取食酸枣雌、雄虫寿命最短,分别为29.8±1.55 d和25.6±1.64 d。不同品种枣树对枣飞象成虫产卵前期和产卵率没有明显影响。取食木枣和狗头枣的枣飞象成虫产卵期明显长于赞皇枣、骏枣和酸枣,取食木枣的枣飞象成虫产卵量和每雌子代数最高,分别为76.3±2.87粒和67.0±2.7头,显著高于其它4种枣树,说明木枣对枣飞象成虫产卵期、产卵量和每雌子代数有明显影响。在室内饲养枣飞象成虫,木枣是最适宜饲养枣飞象成虫的枣树品种。     

枣果实β-半乳糖苷酶基因的克隆及表达分析

采用3-′RACE技术获得了梨枣果实β-半乳糖苷酶(-βGal)基因的部分cDNA片段,并运用实时荧光定量PCR技术和PNPG反应比色法,研究了梨枣不同生长期及采后常温贮藏过程中ZJGAL基因的相对表达量和β-Gal活性的变化,以探索β-半乳糖苷酶在枣(Ziziphus jujubaMill.)果实生长及采后软化中的分子调控机制.结果表明,克隆的-βGal基因序列长2 584 bp(GenBank登录号HQ827769),其中包含2 193 bp的最大阅读框,编码730个氨基酸,将该基因命名为ZJGAL.Blastn和Blastp序列比对分析发现,该ZJGAL基因与已登录的其他物种的β-Gal基因相似性达到60%～80%.随着果实的生长、成熟及采后衰老,ZJGAL基因的表达量和-βGal活性在果实采收前后均呈先上升后下降的趋势,两者的采前高峰均在幼果膨大期,但是采后贮藏过程中虽然基因的表达量较高,但是-βGal活性一直较低.     

橄榄片盾蚧的生物学特性及其防治

研究表明库尔勒香梨上发生的蚧壳虫优势种 ,并非习惯上称呼的梨圆蚧Quadraspidiotuspernicio sus (Comstock) ,而是橄榄片盾蚧Parlatoriaoleae (Colv e)。橄榄片盾蚧 1年发生 2代 ,以受精雌成虫在枝干上越冬 ,产卵繁殖后代 ,严重危害寄主枝条、果实及叶片。防治的关键时期是 5月中旬     

Effect of genetic origin of the fish on in vitro proliferation of muscle myosatellite cells of rainbow trout

In two rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss strains fed 5% of body mass for 1 week, no significant differences were observed between the two strains in the in vitro proliferation rate of myosatellite cells isolated from white axial muscle and studied for 8 days following the incorporation of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine. Nonetheless, the differentiation process and formation of myotubes started first in the strain displaying the fastest growth and the myotubes attained a more developed stage in these fish: more numerous and bigger myotubes. When the two strains were submitted to starvation for 1 week, the fast growing strain showed a faster response to the culture medium and a significantly higher proliferation rate than the slow growing one.     

库尔勒香梨黑头病拮抗菌的筛选和鉴定

【背景】库尔勒香梨黑头病是近年来发现的一种由芸薹生链格孢菌(Alternaria brassicicola)XL2引起的采后病症,由于其高侵染率和高腐烂率造成了极大的经济损失,目前已成为库尔勒香梨采后储运的主要防治病症之一。【目的】发掘高效的库尔勒香梨黑头病拮抗菌,探索拮抗菌株的抑菌作用,为其生物防治提供潜在资源菌。【方法】从采后健康果蔬表面分离不同微生物,采用平板对峙法,以A.brassicicola XL2为靶标菌筛选具有拮抗作用的菌株,结合形态学观察、生理生化检测和16S rRNA基因序列分析鉴定拮抗菌株分类地位;检测拮抗菌无菌滤液对A. brassicicola XL2的抑制效应,显微观察拮抗菌对A.brassicicola XL2菌丝生长的影响;验证拮抗菌发酵液在库尔勒香梨果实上的抑菌活性。【结果】从新疆油桃表面分离获得90株菌,其中菌株Y2对A. brassicicola XL2有较强拮抗作用,经鉴定其为枯草芽孢杆菌(Bacillus subtilis)。菌株Y2的无菌滤液对A. brassicicola XL2菌落生长具有明显抑制作用,2%的无菌滤液抑菌率达到70.96%;Y2无菌滤液造成A.brassicicola XL2菌丝扭曲变形、分枝增加、尖端出现致密结构等异常现象;Y2发酵液和无菌滤液明显抑制A.brassicicola XL2的孢子萌发;Y2发酵液在库尔勒香梨果实上具有较高抑菌活性,对库尔勒香梨病斑直径抑制率达到37.66%,深度抑制率达到42.74%。【结论】枯草芽孢杆菌(B.subtilis)Y2能有效抑制A. brassicicola XL2的生长,对库尔勒香梨黑头病具有显著的生物防治效果。     

云南泡梨中乳酸菌的分离鉴定及其应用

【背景】泡梨是云南省常见的一种腌渍水果,在云南加工食用已经有一百多年的历史,因其味道酸甜可口、风味独特而深受人们喜爱,而目前对泡梨中微生物种群的系统分析和发酵原理的研究尚未见报道。【目的】研究乳酸菌在云南泡梨中的分布及应用,阐明乳酸菌种类对泡梨发酵中风味物质的影响。【方法】从云南省4个不同地区采集12份泡梨样品,经菌落菌体形态、生理生化特性和16SrRNA基因序列分析进行菌种分离与鉴定。利用分离的乳酸菌为菌种进行泡梨的制备,采用GC-MS技术对人工接种的复合乳酸菌发酵与自然发酵泡梨进行风味物质的分析与感官评价。【结果】分离鉴定出79株植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus plantarum)、 3株类植物乳杆菌(Lactobacillus paraplantarum)、1株戊糖乳杆菌(Lactobacillus pentosus)、1株干酪乳杆菌(Lactobacillus casei)、2株副干酪乳杆菌(Lactobacillus paracasei)和1株短乳杆菌(Lactobacillus brevis),植物乳杆菌为泡梨发酵中的优势菌。将分离所得乳酸菌用于泡梨制备的结果表明,乳酸菌使泡梨的发酵时间缩短5d且品质更优,分析其中的风味物质发现接种乳酸菌发酵泡梨风味物质更丰富,其中酯类和醇类远多于自然发酵泡梨。【结论】云南泡梨中含有丰富的乳酸菌,选用分离出的优势乳酸菌作为复合乳酸菌用于泡梨发酵获得色泽、口感更好的泡梨,且发酵周期更短,风味物质更丰富。该研究对泡梨制备工艺和进一步标准化生产均具有重要意义。     

Cross-correlation analysis of fluctuations in local populations of pear psyllids and anthocorid bugs

1. To test whether predatory anthocorids migrate into pear orchards when populations of pear psyllids are building up, a cross-correlation analysis was carried out on their population numbers. Predator and prey population sizes were assessed weekly in 3 consecutive years (1991–93) by sampling pear leaves for eggs and nymphs of psyllids and pear tree branches for adult psyllids, as well as adults and nymphs of predatory anthocorids. The time-series consisted of numbers (per leaf or branch) averaged over preselected pear trees in an orchard and, in addition, over other trees selected along the hedgerows flanking the orchard. 2. The fluctuations in populations of adult and juvenile anthocorids showed strong cross-correlations with those of the eggs and nymphs of pear psyllids, but less correlation with adults of pear psyllids, as expected based on their increased ability to escape from predation. The psyllids always appeared first on the pear trees, resulting in positive phase shifts. The first peak of adult anthocorids on pear trees was always later than the first peak in the hedgerows, and the first peak of nymphal anthocorids on pear trees was always later than the first peak of adults on these pear trees. In each of the 3 years, anthocorids were rarely observed in the pear orchard during the first part of the growing season (April–June), but during the second half of the growing season (July–August) there was a strong numerical response of the anthocorid populations to increasing population densities of pear psyllids. 3. These results provide support for the hypothesis that the numerical response of the predators to prey density is caused initially by migration of anthocorids into the pear orchard and then by a reproductive response. The migrants originate from the hedgerows and other trees elsewhere, where they feed on aphids during the first part of the growing season.     

香梨内生拮抗细菌的筛选及对梨火疫病的生防潜力

该研究以健康香梨树的新鲜花器、当年生新生枝条、叶片和果实为试验材料,采用植物组织内生细菌分离法获得内生细菌菌株,培养菌落,并采用平板对峙法初筛和发酵液复筛对梨火疫病菌(Erwinia amylovora)、梢枯病菌(Pseudomonas syringae pv.syringae)和腐烂病菌(Valsa mali var.pyri)具有抑菌作用的细菌;将筛选获得的拮抗梨火疫病菌的菌株通过喷施香梨离体花序和盆栽杜梨苗测定其防病效果,以发掘内生细菌的生防资源,为探索梨树病害的生物防治途径奠定基础。结果显示:(1)从香梨枝条、叶、花和果实组织中共分离出337个内生细菌菌株,其中有14株具有明显的抑菌作用;进一步筛选出对梨火疫病菌、梢枯病菌和腐烂病菌具有抑菌作用的细菌分别有8株、9株和4株,其中ZN5、SN19和HN9菌株对梨梢枯病菌和腐烂病菌均有拮抗作用,HN89菌株对3种病原菌都具有较强的抑菌作用;共筛选出对梨火疫病菌具有抑菌作用的7个菌株(SN37、HN89、HN98、HN143、HN126、TN68、TN16)和具有竞争作用的TN50菌株。(2)内生菌株TN50预处理(喷施)对预防香梨花腐的效果显著,其防效(52.36%)与农用链霉素(60.67%)相近;HN89的防效(39.66%)其次;内生菌株TN50、HN89和SN37预处理(喷施)能够显著降低盆栽杜梨苗嫩枝的枝枯率和病情指数(P<0.05),7~15 d的平均保护性防效分别为67.20%、54.32%和45.91%,治疗性防效分别为63.88%、52.10%和36.17%。(3)结合形态特征和16S DNA序列分析,TN50、HN89和SN37菌株分别鉴定为克雷伯氏菌属(Klebsiella sp.)、类芽孢杆菌属(Paenibacillus sp.)和假单胞杆菌属(Pseudomonas sp.)。     

红皮云杉外生菌根菌对苗木生长的影响

2000年8～10月自大兴安岭新林林业局和兴隆林业局采集各种林型下的伞菌担子果,进行分离培养、纯化,获得36个菌株。经对红皮云杉室内接种试验获得6个可与红皮云杉共生形成外生菌根的菌株。室内接种试验结果表明,在红皮云杉播种苗上接种菌根菌的时期应在出苗后30d左右。菌根形成的适宜温度为20℃左右。筛选得到的6个菌株对红皮云杉幼苗的生长有明显的促进作用。接种林地菇(Agaricus silvaticus)、031和L15菌株的苗木叶绿素a含量明显高于其他菌株和对照;接种009、004、林地菇和L15菌株的苗木叶绿素b含量也明显高于其他菌株和对照;接种林地菇、L15、031、009和025菌株的苗木与对照苗木在重量上差异显著;其中接种林地菇和L15菌株的苗木比对照苗木分别增加了19.23%和23.08%;接种6个菌株的苗木与对照苗木高度比较差异非常显著,接种林地菇和L15菌株的苗木与对照相比分别增加17.83%和16.37%。室外接种结果表明,接种林地菇的苗木高生长最好,接种70d高于对照9.24%;接种菌株L15的苗木地径生长最好,接种70d高于对照9.92%;接种菌株009的苗木侧根数最多,接种70d高于对照51.91%;接种菌株009的苗木主根最长,接种70d高于对照3.36%;而接种菌株031的苗木全株感染菌根率最高,接种70d高于对照13.90%;接种菌株031的苗木光合作用最强,高于对照20.02%。从几项主要的指标综合来看,菌株L15、菌株009和菌株031是有潜在研究和应用价值的优良菌株。     

Characterization of Bacillus altitudinis as a New Causative Agent of Bacterial Soft Rot

A total of 67 bacterial isolates were obtained from apple and pear fruits with signs of soft rot collected from Egyptian markets. Pathogenicity tests showed that 25 isolates (37%) were pathogenic to apple and pear fruits, with considerable variation of virulence. Among these isolates, 16 (64%) were Gram‐positive, motile, spore‐forming long rods and were identified as members of the genus Bacillus based on an API test. In addition, five isolates (20%) were Gram‐negative, non‐spore‐forming, motile, oxidase and catalase‐positive short rods and were identified as members of the genus Pseudomonas. Furthermore, four isolates (16%) were Gram‐negative, non‐spore‐forming, motile, catalase‐positive and oxidase negative short rods and were identified as belonging to the genus Erwinia. All selected isolates showed a wide host range and could cause soft rot of all representative fruits and vegetables tested. The three most virulent isolates, AB4, AB6 and PB6, exhibited the highest soft rot severity on different apple and pear cultivars, and apple cv. Anna (116) was the most susceptible to infection by isolates AB4 and AB6, with soft rot severities of 63.33 and 60.67%, respectively. Also, pear cv. Le‐Conte was most susceptible to infection by isolate AB6, with a soft rot severity of 89.9%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strains AB4 and AB6 were very similar to one another and also showed a similarity of 99% to Bacillus altitudinis, and strain PB6 revealed a similarity of 99% to Bacillus pumilus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. altitudinis as a soft rot pathogen for both apple and pear fruits.     

Comparative analysis of peach and pear fruit volatiles attractive to the oriental fruit moth,Cydia molesta

Cydia molesta is an important pest of peach and pear fruits late in growing season. We identified and quantified volatiles from immature and mature fruits of peach and pear using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antennally, active compounds were identified by gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection and were further tested in the field. Consistent electroantennographic activity was obtained for nine compounds from headspace collections of the mature fruits of two peach and two pear varieties. Esters were the major components, but qualitative and quantitative differences were found among four odor profiles. Blends mimicking pear fruit volatiles were more attractive to both sexes than blends mimicking peach fruit volatiles in both orchards. Our finding indicated that mixtures mimicking peach and pear fruit volatiles attracted both females and males of C. molesta, and these host volatiles may also be involved in the host switch behavior from peach to pear in mid-late season.     

Mechanisms of inhibition of Erwinia amylovora by Erw. herbicola in vitro and in vivo

The mechanisms by which Erwinia herbicola inhibits Erwinia amylovora , the fire blight pathogen, were investigated. The optimum pH for growth of Erw. amylovora strain Ea273 in nutrient-yeast extract-glucose broth (NYGB) was 7.0 and growth was markedly reduced at pH values below 6.0. In contrast, the growth rates of Erw. herbicola strains Eh141 and Eh112Y were only slightly reduced at pH levels as low as 4.5, relative to pH 6-8. When Ea273 was grown in NYGB in the presence of Eh141 or Eh112Y, the media became acidic and lower populations of Ea273 were recovered, compared with populations from buffered NYGB. Acidification of plant tissue as a consequence of growth of Erw. herbicola did not occur, however, and thus acid-based inhibition of growth in planta is unlikely. The growth rates of nine strains of Erw. herbicola and their abilities to reduce the pH of NYGB did not correlate with their different abilities to prevent development of fire blight incited by Ea273 in a research apple orchard. When grown in mixed culture, Eh114 and Eh112Y grew to higher populations than Ea273 due to depletion of a nitrogen source needed by Ea273. The ability of 12 strains of Erw. herbicola to produce antibiotics inhibitory to Ea273 on a glucose-asparagine medium correlated with the effectiveness of the strains in suppressing fire blight. A crude preparation of the Eh318 antibiotic delayed development of disease in immature pear fruits incited by Ea273 but not by strain Ea273R318, which is resistant in vitro to the Eh318 antibiotic. Cells of Eh318 protected immature pear fruits more effectively from infection by Ea273 than from the resistant strain Ea273R318.