Synergy-Based Biocontrol of Plant Pathogens

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for control of pathogenic fungal or oomycetous infection.

1 .- 39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A method of cultivating a plant comprising:
 a) contacting the plant with  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24, or a product thereof; and   b) contacting the plant with bacteria of the genus  Collimonas , or a product thereof,   wherein said contacting of a) in combination with said contacting of b) causes a synergistic antifungal or synergistic anti-oomycete effect against a fungal or an oomycetous infection.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the part of said plant contacted with bacteria of the genus  Collimonas  or a product thereof is a root of said plant. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the part of said plant contacted with  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 or a product thereof is a root of said plant. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the part of said plant contacted with bacteria of the genus  Collimonas  or a product thereof is a seed of said plant. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the part of said plant contacted with  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 or a product thereof is a seed of said plant. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the part of said plant contacted with bacteria of the genus  Collimonas  or a product thereof is foliage of said plant. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the part of said plant contacted with  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 or a product thereof is foliage of said plant. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the contacting of b) comprises contacting the plant with bacteria of the genus  Collimonas  and a product thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the contacting of a) comprises contacting the plant with  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 and a product thereof. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the plant is a cucurbit plant. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said bacteria of genus  Collimonas  comprise a species selected from the group consisting of  Collimonas fungivorans , and  Collimonas pratensis.    
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said bacteria of genus  Collimonas  comprise  Collimonas arenae.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said bacteria of genus  Collimonas  comprise  C. arenae  Cal35. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said bacteria of the genus  Collimonas  or a product thereof are in the form of a liquid suspension. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said bacteria of the genus  Collimonas  are in a liquid suspension at a concentration of from about 1×10 4  to about 1×10 11  cells per milliliter. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein said  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24 is in a liquid suspension at a concentration of from about 1×10 4  to about 1×10 11  cells per milliliter. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the contacting of a) or b) comprises a root dip. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the contacting of a) or b) comprises a soil drench. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the plant is a cucurbit. 
     
     
         59 . A plant in contact with:
 a)  Bacillus subtilis  var.  amyloliquefaciens  strain FZB24; and   b) a bacteria of the genus  Collimonas,      
       wherein a) and b) together exhibit a synergistic antifungal or synergistic anti-oomycetous effect. 
     
     
         60 . The plant of  claim 59 , wherein the plant is a cucurbit.