General Articles

INTRODUCTION
This study explored the potential of the microorganisms in the bio–compost and biocontrol agents as treatment against Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. cubense race 4(FocR4) and as growth promoter of susceptible banana ramets variety Berangan cv. intan. The microorganisms in the bio–compost and the biocontrol agents (preparation of Trichoderma inoculants from Legenda Madu Sdn Bhd) were established as effective; improving growth, vigour and enhancing tolerance of Berangan to Fusarium wilt.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The bio–compost and biocontrol agents were obtained from Legenda Madu Sdn Bhd. The banana ramets were grown in soil mixed with bio–compost, biocontrol agents and fusarium to determine its effects on the banana ramets. This experiment was conducted for a period of 40 days in a green house.

RESULTS
The effects of the bio–compost and biocontrol agents against fusarium wilt can be seen from the pictures below. A control pot containing only fusarium and soil shows that the banana ramet has died while the banana plants treated with bio–compost and biocontrol agent remained healthy. This indicates that the microbes contained in the bio–compost and biocontrol agents are an effective treatment for fusarium wilt.

Effects of Bio–Compost and Biocontrol Agent on Banana Ramets infected with Fusarium oxysporium

Soil + Biocontrol Agent + Fusarium Oxysporium	100% Bio–compost + Fusarium Oxysporium	Bio–compost mixed with Soil at 2:1 Ratio + Fusarium Oxysporium
Bio–compost mixed with Soil at 1:1 Ratio + Fusarium Oxysporium	Bio–compost mixed with Soil at 1:2 Ratio + Fusarium Oxysporium	Soil + Fusarium Oxysporium as Experimental Control

CONCLUSION
This study revealed that the bio–compost contained beneficial microbes and these microbes were able to improve growth of the ramets, reduce Fusarium wilt incidence and delay the progression of fusarium wilt.  Better banana growth and an almost disease free situation was observed in the 100 % bio–compost even when challenged with Foc R4. It was also revealed that the bio–compost has the potential to sequester the Foc R4 by forming an inhibition zone between the roots and Foc R4.  This may be due to the presence of high populations of beneficial microbes in the bio–compost which colonized the roots of banana ramets, thereby preventing Foc R4 from establishing colonies.

INTRODUCTION

One of our clients was facing papaya disease problems caused by pathogenic microbes and contacted us. We immediately setup a treatment programme using one of our latest inventions; the Super Bio Control Agent, a 100% organic product which contains beneficial microbes to help fight against plant diseases.

Client: Mr. Chia
Location: Serendah, Selangor, Malaysia
Size of farm: 2,000 papaya trees of 15 months old

MATERIALS AND METHODS
The disease treatment consists of applying Super Bio Control Agent (diluted 1:100 with water) at a rate of 1L per tree for 2 months and application of organic bio–compost for nutrition.

The schedule of the treatments was as follows:–

RESULTS
After 2 months of treatment, almost all the diseased papaya trees had fully recovered. This experiment was conducted parallel to another plot at the same time, using conventional chemical fungicide treatment as a comparison and the Super Biocontrol Agent was found to be a more effective solution.

Comparison between Diseased Papaya Trees Treated with
LM Super Biocontrol Agent and Conventional Chemical Fungicide

CONCLUSION
This experiment shows that the combination of biocontrol agent treatment supplemented with bio–compost is an effective treatment for papaya trees affected by fungal disease. The disease suppression is contributed by the presence of beneficial microbes contained within the biocontrol agent. This is an environmentally friendly solution to plant disease treatments and unlike conventional methods of using chemical fungicides, it will not cause any long term harmful side effects to the soil and plants.