METHOD FOR USING A BACILLUS SUBTILIS OR BACILLUS PUMILUS STRAIN TO TREAT OR PREVENT PINEAPPLE DISEASE

1 . A method for controlling Ceratocystis spp. in a plant and/or reducing losses in harvested crops, the method comprising

applying to a plant and/or locus for plant growth

a) at least one biological control agent selected from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis QST713 deposited under NRRL Accession No. B-21661, Bacillus pumilus QST2808 deposited under NRRL Accession No. B-30087, and a mutant having all the identifying characteristics of Bacillus subtilis QST713 or Bacillus pumilus QST2808; and

b) a chemical treatment selected from the group consisting of propiconazole, azoxystrobin, cyproconazole, fluopyram, methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride, and combinations thereof;

wherein application of the at least one biological control agent and the chemical treatment produce a synergistic or superadditive effect in controlling Ceratocystis spp.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological control agent and the chemical treatment are applied sequentially or simultaneously.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying to the plant and/or locus for plant growth an insecticide.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the insecticide selected from the group consisting of Abamectin, Acephate, Acetamiprid, Acrinathrin, Alpha-Cypermethrin, Beta-Cyfluthrin, Bifenthrin, Buprofezin, Clothianidin, Chlorantraniliprole, Chlorfenapyr, Chlorpyrifos, Carbofuran, Cyantraniliprole, Cyenopyrafen, Cyflumentofen, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Dinotefuran, Emamectin-benzoate, Ethiprole, Fenpyroximate, Fipronil, Flometoquin, Flubendiamide, Fluensulfone, Fluopyram, Flupyradifurone, Gamma-Cyhalothrin, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lambda-Cyhalothrin, Lufenuron, Metaflumizone, Methiocarb, Methoxyfenozide, Milbemectin, Profenofos, Pyflubumide, Pyrifluquinazone, Spinetoram, Spinosad, Spirodiclofen, Spiromesifen, Spirotetramate, Sulfoxaflor, Tebufenpyrad, Tefluthrin, Thiacloprid, Thiamethoxam, Thiodicarb, Triflumuron, 1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-tetrazol-1-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide, 1-(3-chloropyridin-2-yl)-N-[4-cyano-2-methyl-6-(methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3-{[5-(trifluoromethyl)-2H-tetrazol-2-yl]methyl}-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide, 1-{2-fluoro-4-methyl-5-[(2,2,2-trifluorethyl)sulfinyl]phenyl}-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine and Afidopyropen.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Ceratocystis spp. is Ceratocystis paradoxa.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the applying is preceded by identifying that the plant and/or the locus for plant growth needs treatment.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the Bacillus subtilis QST713, Bacillus pumilus QST2808, and/or mutant thereof is applied to the plant and/or the locus for plant growth prior to planting and/or at planting.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plant comprises propagation material selected from the group consisting of seedlings, rhizomes, nursery plants, cuttings, and seed.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plant is selected from the group consisting of sugarcane, pineapple, banana, cacao, coconut, and oil palm.

10 . The method according to claim 9 , wherein the plant is sugarcane.

11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Bacillus subtilis QST713, Bacillus pumilus QST2808, and/or mutant thereof is applied at a rate of about 4×10 11 to about 1×10 13 cfu per acre for soil drench treatments or 1×10 10 to about 1×10 12 cfu per 1000 row feet for in furrow treatments.

12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the Bacillus subtilis or Bacillus pumilus is applied to the soil in contact with plant roots or soil at a base of a plant.

13 . The method according to claim 12 , wherein the Bacillus subtilis QST713, Bacillus pumilus QST2808, and/or mutant thereof is applied as a single application at a rate of about 1×10 5 to about 1×10 7 cfu per gram of soil.

14 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one biological control agent is a fermentation product.

15 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the fermentation product comprises Bacillus subtilis QST713 cells and/or cells of a mutant of Bacillus subtilis QST713, metabolites and residual fermentation broth.

16 . The method according to claim 14 , wherein the fermentation product comprises Bacillus pumilus QST2808 cells and/or cells of a mutant of Bacillus pumilus QST2808, metabolites and residual fermentation broth.

17 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the at least one biological control agent and the chemical treatment results in an increased crop yield from the plant.

18 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment is a combination of azoxystrobin and cyproconazole.

19 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment is methoxy ethyl mercuric chloride.

20 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the chemical treatment is propiconazole.