Microbial antagonists & bca: practical information (Best4Soil Video)

Soil microorganisms are a major factor in the four best practices promoted by the Best4Soil network to reduce the pressure of soilborne diseases in arable and vegetable crops. The two preventive practices, compost/organic amendments and cover crops/green manures, increase the activity and number of microorganisms antagonistic to soilborne pathogens and nematodes. The two curative practices, ASD and solarisation, also rely on the effect of microbial antagonists, which cause the physical and chemical effects making these methods effective. Another use of microbial antagonists is the application of biological control agents (BCA), commercially produced microorganisms with a high ability to control certain soilborne diseases. This tool provides information on the direct effects of microbial antagonists on plant growth and commercial BCA products