Resumen
- We report the presence of Olpidium virulentus in roots of fique plants where Macana virus disease has been detected. When fique plants obtained in vitro or lettuce seedlings used as model plant were inoculated with resting spores of O. virulentus, severe disease symptoms and dramatic fresh weight reduction were expressed. With the aim to select potential biological control agents, sixteen indigenous isolates corresponding to Pseudomonas spp. and a biopesticide based on T. koningiopsis were evaluated on lettuce planted in soil infested with O. virulentus. Six isolates of Pseudomonas spp. and the biopesticide based on T. koningiopsis reduced of both the number of Olpidium sp. resting spores in roots, and the incidence and severity of the disease. These microorganisms also improved germination, promoted plant growth, presented solubilization phosphate activity and produced indol acetic acid (IAA).