Abstract
Several biological control agents for the control of fungal diseases have recently been commercialized. Do the claims of pest control meet the expectations of the growers? Do the biocontrol agents perform consistently? How do they compare to chemicals? These questions have yet to be answered but recent trials indicate mixed results. In Massachusetts, Mycostop worked well against fusarium stem rot but not against fusarium wilt. Deny (Burkholderia cepacia) did not perform well against Rhizoctonia or Pythium root rot of poinsettia. The following information was taken from the 1997 and 1998 Biological and Cultural Tests for Control of Plant Diseases. In Maryland, zinnia damping-off was controlled by both SoilGard (Gliocladium virens) and Bio-Trek (Trichoderma harzianum). The biocontrols performed as well as the conventional fungicide. In North Carolina, GlioGard (Gliocladium virens) and SoilGard gave only partial control against Pythium and Rhizoctonia damping-off of bedding plants. In Pennsylvania, Greygold (mixture of four microorganisms) did not provide adequate control of Botrytis on geranium. In Georgia, Pythium and Rhizoctonia diseases of a variety of plants were evaluated with SoilGard and RootShield (Trichoderma harzianum). Disease pressure was low and the results varied from inconclusive to both positive and negative. In addition, SoilGard apparently reduced fresh weight of several plant species. RootShield was reported to both increase root weight in one case and decrease root weight in another. In Connecticut, Rhizoctonia root rot of poinsettia was not significantly suppressed with SoilGard, RootShield, or Earthgro, a suppressive growing medium. However, the authors stated that the results indicated that the biocontrols had promise. Results of additional trials will be presented.
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