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Biocontrol of Corn Root Infection in the Field by Seed Treatment with Antagonists. Thor Kommedahl, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108; I-pin Chang Mew, Asian Vegetable Research and Development Center, Shanhua, Tainan, Republic of China (Taiwan). Phytopathology 65:296-300. Accepted for publication 30 September 1974. DOI: 10.1094/Phyto-65-296.

Kernels of corn (Zea mays) of three hybrids were coated with Bacillus subtilis, Chaetomium globosum, or captan, and planted in the field in three successive years. Stands increased 9 and 14 days after planting and at season's end for all hybrids with Chaetomium and captan treatments and for one hybrid with B. subtilis treatment. Treatments hastened attainment of an approximate 95% stand by 1-3 days depending on hybrid and treatment. Stalk rot and breakage were less with the organism- and captan-coated, than with noncoated, kernels. The stalk rot pathogen most frequently isolated was Fusarium roseum 'Graminearum'. Grain yields per treatment were higher for kernels coated with captan in all 3 years, for those coated with C. globosum for 2 of 3 years, and for those coated with B. subtilis, only 1 year, than for kernels not coated.