9818027 Block Control of fungal pathogens in the table and wine grape industries has had a large impact on chemical pesticide use in California. A more sustainable form of disease control is the use of biological control agents (BCAs) which reduce disease by the controlled introduction of organisms to the environment that are natural competitors or inhibitors. Many fungal and bacterial BCAs have been identified for a variety of fungal diseases of grapevine. In particular, the fungus Fusarium lateritium has been found to be an alternative to chemical fungicides for prevention of Eutypa Dieback in grapevine, a disease caused by infection of pruning wounds with Eutypa lata. In addition, agricultural industries are also facing pressures to reduce organic wastes. This project is to focus on establishing the inoculation of BCAs into compost as an effective alternative to spraying. This method would have the dual benefit of recycling agricultural wastes while at the same time providing for disease control. ***
