The use of natural bio-agents for the control of cotton phytopathogens.

The use of natural antagonists as means of pre-sowing seed treatment showed high biological efficacy by improving seed germination, growth and productivity of cotton plants, and by decreasing infection by major cotton pathogens: Xanthomonas malvacearum, Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum, Verticillium dahliae. Studies of anti-microbial properties of antagonists revealed significant inhibitory activity of Bacillus subtilis strains and their metabolites against cotton pathogens. Obtained results prove the prospective from the use of B. subtilis for developing complex, ecological products for biological control of cotton and other agricultural plants.