Bacillus sp. BS061 Suppresses Powdery Mildew and Gray Mold.

The use of a microorganism, or its secretions, to prevent plant disease offers an attractive alternative or supplement to syrahetic fungicides for the management of plant disease without the negative effects of chemical control mechanisms. During a scleening for microorganisms with the potential to be used as microbial fungicides, Bacillus sp. BS061 was isolated from a plant leaf. The strain BS061 potently inhibited the mycelial growth of Botrytis cinerea, and significantly reduced disease incidence of pcwdery mildew in cucumber and strawberry. We also found that the culture filtrate of BS061 inhibited the mycelial growth of valous plant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]