Bio-control Agents for Managing Black Root Rot in Australian Cotton

Abstract

Cotton production is an important rural industry in Australia. Disease pressure from emerging pathogens such as 'Thielaviopsis basicola' threatens to reduce production. Wide-spread application of Best Management Practices, a desire to have a reduced environmental impact and community demand for more sustainable produce means alternatives methods to treat disease are becoming more important. This study has investigated the use of three disease reduction strategies; soil bacteria, organic soil amendments and plant derived proteins to treat black root rot in Australian cotton.