MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF SOILBORNE PATHOGENS

摘要

The subject invention provides materials and methods for the cost-effective control of soilborne pathogens. The plant pathogens, which can be controlled in accordance with the subject invention include fungi, bacteria, nematodes and insects. In a specific embodiment, the composition of the subject invention comprises chitin, produced from crustacean shell waste, and one or more Actinomycetes spp. selected from soil populations for suppressive activity against soilborne pathogens. The actinomycete isolates colonize the chitin and use it as a sole energy source. The combination when applied as a soil amendment suppresses activity of soilborne pathogens.