Widespread land degradation caused by inappropriate agricultural practices, such as the improper use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Studies have shown that under continuous cropping conditions, soil-borne diseases are aggravated, which is one of the most difficult problems to solve in various plant diseases. Soil fumigation was used to control soil-borne diseases. However, fumigation often causes more problems by killing most of the organisms in the soil or causes chemical residues. Two fungal isolates, MF01 and MF04 shown to inhibit the growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. fragariae. Focused on Fusarium wilt disease, the microbial agents were developed to reduced disease occurrence. The effects of the microbial agent against strawberry wilt disease were analyzed in the strawberry farm and the shelf life of the agent was analyzed. Results show that our product reduced Fusarium wilt of strawberry in the field significantly.

Strawberries are high-valued fruits and popular in Taiwan. Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae, is the most serious soil-borne disease affecting strawberries in Taiwan. Despite a long history of Fusarium wilt, less of the control methods are effective. Therefore, the management strategies for Fusarium wilt epidemics often rely on the fumigation. However, soil fumigants caused serious problems in soil health. In this project, we develop a microbial agent contained the biomass that could continually produce the volatile organic compounds with antifungal activity.Results showed that our product significantly reduced the Fusarium wilt of strawberry in the field and the density of Fusarium propagules in the soil.

1. Microbial preparations can be applied to the protection of soil-borne diseases of various crops, especially the protection of strawberry seedlings and fruit production.
2. The developed strain can quickly produce volatile organic compounds that kill a variety of microorganisms, is not pungent, and has commercial development purposes.
3. Can be applied to the prevention of diseases of flowers and fruits and vegetables, the preservation of fruits and foods, the prevention of mildew, the treatment or prevention of harmful molds in food or feed.
4. Handle or prevent mildew from building materials and leather goods.