Biofungicides are fungi, bacteria, or actinomycetes that are applied to the soil or foliage to prevent, stop, or control pathogenic bacterial or fungal infections in plants and plant roots.
These beneficial microorganisms defeat pathogens in a variety of ways to include competition, producing antibiotics, parasitizing harmful organisms, or inducing systemic or localized resistance in the targeted plant.
Most of these living organisms are package as powder, pellets, or are in a water-soluable form and are applied with backpack or tractor-driven sprayers.
Some of the most common biofungicides include:
Biofungicides are often applied as a biological control within an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
Trichoderma harzianum T-22 is a highly developed fungal strain that effectively controls a number of fungal pathogens of plants. This fungus colonizes plant roots and does not affect other beneficial microbes like mycorrhizae or Rhizobium. Read on to learn more about this fascinating organism now on Gardener’s Path.
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens colonizes plant roots and stimulates plants to both grow and to activate their immune systems, resulting in resistance to pathogens. These bacteria also outcompete other microbes and inhibit both bacterial and fungal plant pathogens. Read on to learn more about this biocontrol agent.
Bacillus subtilis can control a range of fungal and bacterial pathogens in the soil and on leaves. It directly inhibits other microbes and also stimulates the plants to control pathogens using their own natural resistance mechanisms. Read on to learn more about these versatile bacteria.
The bacteria Streptomyces lydicus colonize plant roots and protect them against fungi and bacteria that cause disease. They can also be sprayed on plant leaves to control foliar pathogens. These bacteria are safe for people and beneficial insects. Read on to learn how they work and how to use them in your garden.