Evaluation of several antagonists and different methods of application against fusarium wilt of carnation1

Saprophytic Fusarium strains, isolated from Fusarium-suppressive soils, have been tested in pot and glasshouse experiments in order to reduce soil colonization by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. dianthi. The highest amount of antagonist inoculum tested (200 g m^-2) showed the best results in controlling carnation wilt. The antagonistic Fusarium strains showed good efficacy when applied by dipping rooted cuttings in conidial suspensions of the antagonists or by mixing inoculated wheat kernels or perlite + wheat bran with the soil. The effectiveness of the antagonistic Fusarium strains in reducing incidence of F.o. f.sp. dianthi was improved by combining chemical (benomyl, 20 g m^-2) with biological measures.