Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
for registration as a BCA. This demonstrates the potential to maximise the range of target
uses and commercial returns that may be possible with a BCA with a broad spectrum of
activity. Much of the scientifi c background concerning the use of this isolate has been
extensively reviewed (Harman, 2000, 2006).
3.4.2
Aerial microbiomes
3.4.2.1
Bacterial products
Bacillus subtilis
: AgraQuest Inc. (USA) produce several commercial products containing
strain QST713 of
Bacillus subtilis
sold for control of a wide range of bacterial and fungal
diseases, including bacterial leaf spots, anthracnose, damping-off and root rots, botrytis and
powdery mildews (http://www.agraquest.com). Examples of products include Serenade
and Rhapsody. Serenade is available in two formulations, Serenade MAX, a concentrated
wettable powder, and Serenade ASO, an aqueous suspension. Both formulations are used
to control diseases affecting vegetables, fruit, nut and vine crops. In contrast, Rhapsody is
an aqueous suspension and is primarily used to control diseases affecting bedding plants,
pot plants, cut fl owers, turf and container-grown ornamentals. The bacterium QST713 is
presumed to work via multiple modes of action, including antibiosis, competition, para-
sitism and induction of SAR.
3.4.2.2
Fungal products
Ampelomyces quisqualis
: Formulation AQ10, produced by Ecogen Inc. (USA) fi rst
obtained registration in 1995 for use in control of grape-vine powdery mildew (Kiss
et al
., 2004). It is formulated as a water-dispersible granule and acts as a mycopara-
site on powdery mildew mycelia. Although spraying with AQ10 was as effective as
conventional fungicides providing that at least two sprays were applied when dis-
ease incidence was still low (<10% leaf infection), reduced effi cacy often occurred
at low relative humidity. This was overcome by spraying early in the morning or late
afternoon, and by incorporation of a mineral oil-based surfactant as a wetting agent
(Daoust & Hofstein, 1996). Subsequently, the product was registered for use in the
control of powdery mildew on a range of other fruits, vegetables and ornamentals in
conjunction with the wetting agent, Add-Q (Bélanger & Labbé, 2002). Currently, the
use of AQ10 is recommended as part of an integrated disease control programme, using
a reduced regime of conventional fungicides to minimise the development of fungicide
resistance.
Phlebiopsis (Peniophora) gigantea
: a common wood-rotting saprotroph, which has
been used successfully in Europe as a biocontrol agent of conifer root and butt rott,
caused by
Heterobasidion annosum
, for almost 50 years (Pratt
et al
., 2000). The fungus
is applied to stump surfaces and competes with
H. annosum
for the woody resource
within conifer stumps. Three commercial products are available: PG Suspension (Omex
Environmental Ltd.) in the United Kingdom, PG IBL (Biofood s.c.) in Poland, and
Rotstop (Verdera Oy) in Finland and other Scandinavian countries. Formulations of the
products consist of oidia maintained in a sucrose suspension, sawdust, or a wettable
powder, respectively.
