These strains were maintained on slants of trypticase soy agar (TSA). (GenBank accession KX500241) were used to assess their effect against E. (GenBank accession KX500237) and one Bacillus spp. In the present study, these bacteria were also evaluated against P. According to results obtained in greenhouse studies against E. The antagonistic ability of isolates was evaluated in vitro, and eleven potential biocontrol agents were selected. The aims of the present study were: 1) to evaluate the natural incidence of the foliar diseases northern leaf blight and common rust in maize after the application of two antagonists, 2) to determine the survival of antagonists in the maize phyllosphere and 3) to determine the effect of inoculation on grain yield at harvest.ДЄntagonistic bacterial strains were isolated from maize leaves with disease lesions from fields of different regions of the CГіrdoba province, Argentina. Those studies allowed us to select potential biocontrol agents (BCA). turcicum in vitro and in planta by using epiphytic bacteria of different genera. reported advances in the biological control of E. In maize, growth-promoting and antifungal compounds-producing bacteria have been shown to have inhibitory effects on southern leaf blight disease caused by the fungus Cochliobolus heterostrophus. This methodology is environmentally friendly, does not cause any type of pollution and it preserves the ecosystem, while chemical control disturbs the ecosystem and provides short term control of harmful organisms. Д«iological control offers advantages over other control methods such as pesticides. The application of fungicides to control common rust in Argentina can be of up to1000 kg (1000 - 1500 kg/ha) and of up to 2000 kg (2000 - 3000 kg/ha) for northern leaf blight. Дisease control usually consists of using resistant cultivars and chemical control with mixtures of fungicides like triazole and strobilurins. This disease occurs each year with varying degrees of intensity, according to the behaviour of the hybrid and the prevailing environmental conditions. On the other hand, common rust is endemic in the maize production area of Argentina. Some factors that favour the development of the disease are increasing the areas of direct planting, changes in the date of sowing, intense and frequent rains during the summer months or lots irrigated by sprinkling. At the main maize producing area of Argentina, northern leaf blight was the most prevalent disease during 2007/08 to 2009/10, reaching severities higher than 50% in early growth stages and yield losses greater than 40%. Northern leaf blight is caused by Exserohilum turcicum, and common rust is caused by Puccinia sorghi. Maize grown in tropical and temperate climates has been being affected by two foliar diseases during recent seasons. Moreover, grain yield was significantly higher as compared to control treatments. In northern leaf blight the reduction was higher than 50% during 40 days in plants treated with Bacillus spp. Plants treated with both biological control agents showed significant reductions in the incidence of both foliar diseases. The aims of this study were to evaluate the natural incidence of both foliar diseases in maize after application of two antagonists, to determine the survival of the antagonists in the maize phyllosphere and to evaluate the effect of inoculation on grain yield at harvest. Biological control as a preventive method is a viable alternative to evaluate. Disease control usually consists in the use of resistant cultivars and chemical control. These diseases, northern leaf blight and common rust respectively, are presented each year with different levels of severity affecting significantly the yield in susceptible hybrids. Exserohilum turcicum and Puccinia sorghi cause foliar fungal diseases that affect maize crop in Argentina.

Field test of biocontrol agents