Functional and Structural Microbial Diversity in Organic and Conventional Viticulture: Organic Farming Benefits Natural Biocontrol Agents

F. Schmid, G. Moser, H. Muller and G. Berg*

Abstract
Statistically significant differences in the structure and function of above-ground grapevine-associated microorganisms from organically and conventionally managed vineyards were found. Aureobasidium pullulans, a copper-detoxifying fungus and biocontrol agent, plays a key role in explaining these differences. The black fungus was strongly enriched in the communities of organically managed plants and yielded a higher indigenous antiphytopathogenic potential.


Source
Applied and Environmental Microbiology (2011) 77: 2188-2191
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02187-10


Author Locations and Affiliations
Institute of Environmental Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, Petersgasse 12, 8010 Graz, Austria*
Corresponding author, E-mail gabriele.berg@TUGraz.at


Posted April 2011