Disease controls have their place in an integrated pest management (IPM) program. The products on these pages will detail some example products, some of which we carry. Continue exploring disease controls with the product classes featured below.
Biological Disease Controls
Plantshield/RootShield
Plantshield/Rootshield are products which contain a Trichoderma harzianum (Rifai strain T-22) microbe. Similar to Mycostop — when applied to the soil — Plantshield/Rootshield collects and establishes on the roots of plants, promoting vigorous growth and disease prevention. Specifically, this microbe consumes the nutritional wastes normally expelled by the plants’ roots. Thus sustains the microbe which allows it to flourish and thus protects the plants it colonizes on. Plantshield, which can also be applied as a foliar spray, establishes on the plants’ foliage in a similar way when applied accordingly. The soil-applied formulas effectively check the establishment of Pythium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., and Fusarium spp. for a considerable length of time — up to the life of the plant on which it is used. The foliar application formula, when applied as such, can suppress pathogens such as Botrytis and powdery mildew. The foliar method requires applications at 7-14 day intervals.
These products can be used in a wide variety of crops in greenhouses, nurseries, orchards, etc. The wettable powder Plantshield (which must be decanted (see note) if being used through a fogger, hydraulic sprayer, or injector system) can be applied as a soil or foliar spray or as a drench. Moreover, it can be used to dust bulbs, seeds, and the ends of cuttings. Rootshield can be applied as part of the growing media, spread on rows or furrows, or broadcast.
For best results, use either product when soil temperatures reach 50°F or greater, and when the media is neutral in pH to slightly acidic. For additional recommendations and suggestions for use, and specific application rates of this product, please call us.
Note: There’s a newer formulation: Plantshield HC (high concentrate). This product does not require decanting and is thus easier to use. However, many of our customers tried the new HC in 2002 and all went back to the original formula. They said they liked it better. It is for this reason that we will continue to carry the original Plantshield as well as the new product. HC dilutes at 3-5 ozs. per 100 gallons of water and treats 400 to 800 square feet.
You may purchase Plantshield WP, purchase Rootshield, and purchase Plantshield HC online now!
MycoStop Biofungicide
The active ingredient in Mycostop is a naturally occurring, soil borne bacterium: Streptomyces griseoviridis, Strain K61 [108 cfu (colony forming unites) per gram of product]. Mycostop contains 30% dried spores and mycelium of ray fungi.
Mycostop is mass produced by fermentation, then formulated as a wettable powder. It is sealed from air and moisture in small, hermetically-sealed packets. The packets should not be opened until ready for use; if prematurely opened, Mycostop will lose its potency. The packets may be stored prior to use in a cool, dry place, in a refrigerator or freezer.
Mycostop works in three ways: one, is by out-competing several undesirable pathogenic fungi for their living space and nutrients by colonizing plant roots more expeditiously than other microorganisms. The second, is by excreting various enzymes and metabolites which inhibit the growth of the undesirable pathogenic fungi. And lastly, Streptomyces spp. bacteria are known to spur growth in their host plants, making them more vigorous, healthy, and strong; this makes the plants treated with Mycostop less susceptible to pathogens — especially in stress-promoting growing conditions. Due to this ability to increase plant vigor and general health, Mycostop has shown researchers in trial after trial dramatic yield increases.
Mycostop, once activated by coming into contact with a humid growing medium, stays active in a wide range of conditions. Optimum substrate temperatures are from 50-77°F, activity limits are from 41-113°F. Mycostop is active in mediums with a pH value of 4-9. It works well in organic and inorganic mixes. Adequate moisture, enough to keep in-medium humidity levels high, will increase the activity level of Mycostop.
The main target pathogens of Mycostop are Fusarium spp. fungi which cause wilt, basal and root rot diseases in greenhouse cultivated fruits, herbs, ornamentals and vegetables. Mycostop also control seed and soil diseases such as damp-off, root rot, and foot rot caused by Alternaria brassicicola and/or Phomopsis spp. Additionally, suppression of Botrytis gray mold, and Pythium spp. and Phytophthora spp. root rots is possible.
Mycostop is labeled and used to prevent the pathogens specified above. As a seed treatment, it is labeled for use with several crops including all cruciferous crops (brassica or cole: broccoli cabbage, etc.), all leguminous crops (peas, beans, etc.), and all root crops (carrots, beets, etc.). As a soil spray or drench, it is labeled for wide range of different crops: cruciferous, cucurbits, leafy greens, peppers, and tomatoes, just to name a few.
- As a seed treatment: Mix 2-8 grams of Mycostop per kilogram of seed.
- As a soil drench: Mix 5 grams of Mycostop per every 13 gallons of water.
- As a soil spray: Mix 5 grams of Mycostop per every 1.3 gallons of water.
As a dip treatment for cuttings (ornamentals): Use a 0.01% Mycostop and water solution. Note IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and/or NAA (1-naph-thaleneacetic acid) may be used in the same dip treatment.
For tomato growers: try using 1-5 gram pack per every 1000-1200 plants every 6 weeks. For seedlings 1 gram will treat 108 sq. ft. These rates seem to work well. They are certainly more economical than if used as suggested above. Try these rates on other crops, as well; satisfactory and economical results may be uncovered there, too.
We feel, that in addition to sound cultural practices, Mycostop is the best first line of defense in the prevention of greenhouse crop diseases. Mycostop is useful as a treatment for cuttings, seeds, and growing mediums, and it is compatible with most chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and acaricides (miticides), fungicides, rooting hormones, and growth regulators. It is also compatible with parasitic nematodes and other biocontrol agents. We’ve experienced no problems with the flexibility of this product.
You may purchase Mycostop online now!
Actinovate Soil & Plant Inoculant
[Actinovate is being used as an example of this product type.] Like Mycostop, discussed last, this biological-based product contains a beneficial organism. The species of organism differs, though. Actinovate contains 106-109 colony forming spores of another Streptomyces spp: S. lydicus, which is, specifically, a saprophytic rhizosphere colonizing actinomycete which was isolated in and separated from a linseed plant in an area of unusually high natural suppression of soil pathogens.
In warm and moist conditions, the spores germinate and form mycelia which attach themselves to the plant’s roots. In these conditions, reproduction runs rampant and, before, long, the entire root system of the plant is covered with protective mycelia. The mycelia live in a symbiotic or co-dependent relationship, the plants make a home for the mycelia (their tenants); and the mycelia convert minerals and nutrients into food for the plant, protect the plant from harmful soil pathogens (both promote growth), and promise to keep the stereo turned down after ten-o’clock on weeknights.
Unlike Mycostop, Actinovate is not a fungicide, it is simply a soil inoculant. However, it does display some fungicidal qualities, such as keeping several economically important diseases at bay. This is not done by killing them, it is merely done by out-competing them for the livable space amongst the plants’ roots by producing powerful antifungal metabolites. Technically, it can’t be a fungicide because it doesn’t directly kill. However, some pathogens which are held at some level of control, include Pythium spp., Fusarium spp., Phytophthora spp., Sclerotinia spp., and others such as Rhizoctonia spp., Phanerochaete spp., Coriolus spp., Postia spp., Caldariomyces spp., Gloephyllum spp., Geotrichum spp., and Verticillium spp.
The advantages of this product may be obvious, it seems the economical (if it works as claimed by the manufacturer, which is seems to do based on numerous university tests), it protects plants and promotes healthier, fuller growth in a short period of time, which in the case of some food crops, will boost yields.
We are not aware of any of these products’ limitations. As far as we can determine there are no restrictions to use, storage, or shipability.
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