Control of fungal pathogens — preharvest Use of coniothyrium minitans and pythium oligandrum as disease biocontrol agents

When disease levels are low,Coniothyrium minitans gives biological control of Sclerotinia disease in lettuce andPythium oligandrum control of damping-off in cress and sugar beet equivalent to standard fungicide treatments, but both fail as the inoculum potential of the pathogens increases. Possible approaches for improving the use and efficacy of these biocontrol agents are discussed.