You have probably never cerebrate about life in the dirt , but it ’s a hobo camp down therewith being fighting each other for survival of the fittest .
Instead of press tooth and nail , they fight by parasitizing each other and producing chemical substance that help to compete against other microbes .
The genusStreptomycesis well recognize for its production of antibiotic , which make the speciesexcellent competitors in the soil .

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mod medicine has engage full advantage of the many antibiotic bring forth by these organisms , and more than two - one-third of the antibiotic drug in manipulation today were originally discovered fromStreptomyces .
In recent old age , these organisms have happen use in agriculture to outcompete plant pathogens .

Streptomyces lydicusis one such species – an ever - present soil microbe that has been studied for more than 50 year .
One song in particular , WYEC 108 , has been hit the books extensively for its power to operate a variety of root guff - causing kingdom Fungi and folio pathogen , such as rust fungus and gray mold .
This guide will identify how this microbial fungicide works and walk you through using it in your garden .

What You Will Learn
From an English Field to Commercial Use
Streptomyces lydicusstrain WYEC 108 was originally isolated from an agricultural field in England . Its use in control pathogens has been extensively study .
These bacterium are highly effective at colonise plant base . They are big members of the rhizosphere – the expanse of ground that surrounds the root of plants .
The plant exhaust a number of nutrients into the soil , including sugars and vitamin . The bug in the rhizosphere live off these nutrients and in riposte , help the plants to grow .

Actinovate ® Lawn and Garden Fungicide ( Streptomyces lydicus tenor WYEC 108 )
This species ofStreptomycesis so effective at improving plant wellness that the bacterium are members of the mathematical group eff asplant - growth promoting rhizobacteria(PGPR ) .
The formulation of WYEC 108 known as Actinovateis available from Arbico Organics . It is sell to keep in line pathogen on ornamental , glasshouse and greenhouse crop , and turf .
How Streptomyces lydicus Outcompetes Fungal Pathogens
Strain WYEC 108 use several different mechanisms to control disease - cause kingdom Fungi . One of the way it does this is by parasitizing the fungi .
Most fungous cell wall are compose of a polymer called chitin . This strain ofStreptomycesproduces an enzyme shout chitinase that breaks down the fungal jail cell wall , leaving the fungus vulnerable to parasitism .
Another way that it outcompetes the kingdom Fungi is by strip them of food . Iron is an crucial food that is see in very small quantities in the soil .
WYEC 108 produces compounds called siderophores that are extremely effective at bind branding iron . The bacteria can use this smoothing iron , but it is unavailable to the fungus kingdom , which then starve . However , the works can employ it in this form !
Fungal Pathogens Controlled by Actinovate
Actinovate acts as a antifungal agent and controls an regalia of pathogens that often colonize industrial plant source to cause root rots and damping off .
A partial list of the soil - borne pathogen that these bacteria control includesFusarium , Pythium , Phytophthora , Rhizoctonia , Sclerotinia , Verticillium , andGeotrichum .
In improver , Actinovate can see such leaf - dwelling pathogens aspowdery mildew , downy mildew , Botrytis , firing blight , rusts , bacterial berth , and opprobrious spotlight .
How to Use Streptomyces lydicus
This organismis sold as a powder that is soluble in water supply . you’re able to give it to turf grass or potted and greenhouse plants as a drench or mixed in with soil .
you could also spray Actinovate on the leave of your flora every 7 - 14 day depending on how severely your plants are taint .
The bacteria will only protect the farewell you spray them on , so if your plants grow , you should reapply it .
If you spray turf pot , you would typically reapply the bacterium every 6 - 8 weeks .
You are secure off implement Actinovate several times at lower rate rather than pretend one app at high rate . ultraviolet radiation light degrades the bacterium , so it ’s proficient to apply them in the evening or morning or on murky day .
This formulation is typically stable for a year if stored in its original package .
recover more information on use of goods and services and applications at Arbico Organics .
These Bacteria are Safe to Use
S. lydicusis push as being safe for world and is ordinarily found in the grease that hoi polloi are let out to it on a veritable basis . The organism is considered by scientist and researchers to be non - toxic , non - pathogenic , and non - irritating .
Extensive studies on its effectson lowlife , Pisces , and honeybees for its adjustment as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) indicated that the bacteria do not affect non - target organism like good insect .
The EPA requires applicators to don long - sleeved shirts , pants , waterproof gloves , and a filtering respirator if Actinovate is being applied in a greenhouse . Read more about technique and safety in spraying here .
S. lydicusis is safe to usewith other filth inoculant , such as mycorrhizae andTrichoderma .
This Common Soil Organism Prevents Many Fungal Diseases
Due to its ability to colonize industrial plant roots and outcompete other microbes , Streptomyces lydicusis an excellent biocontrol agent .
These bacterium can be applied to your lawn and ornamental , potted , or greenhouse plant . Since they only affect microbes , Actinovate is a safe compound to impart to your pathogen control arsenal .
And if you are keen ondiscovering more of the magic of biofungicides , then check out some of these guide :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . Top photo via CDC / Dr. David Berd ( PHIL # 2983 ) , 1972 . Product photo via Novozymes .
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Helga George , PhD