Fifty-eight potential bio-control agents (BCA) were tested against 7 fungal pathogens. Several specific BCAs showed activity against Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium virguliforme and Macrophomina phaseolina.
Fourteen BCAs were tested against 12 oomycete species. Some of the BCAs demonstrated trends of plant protection against particular Pythium species.
Fourteen BCAs were evaluated for their sensitivity to different fungicide active ingredients. Preliminary results indicated that some of the BCAs could be added with a fungicide seed treatment with minimal inhibition occurring.
Preliminary data indicates that, in addition to their antibiotic activity against plant pathogens, some of the BCAs also seem to induce resistance mechanisms in soybean, thus providing an additional layer of protection against seedling pathogens.