The use of biofungicides to increase the induced soil suppressiveness in intensive fruit plantations

Studies were conducted in intensive apple tree plantations in the foothill zone of the CBD in 2020–2022 on the use of biological plant protection agents against pathogens of radical and root rot, tracheomycosis diseases and mycotic drying. The influence of biological preparations on the dynamics of phytopathogenic fungi population density and the soil ability to self-purify - suppressiveness - has been studied. The option with no fungicides application was compared with the option using a chemical fungicide, the option with using an integrated protection system, as well as with using biological fungicides exclusively. The integrated protection system using chemical and biological fungicides has been found the most effective due to the complex effect of a chemical active substance on soil pathogens that sharply reduces the amount of pathogen, followed by the settlement of beneficial microflora in the so-called "vacated niche" of the soil microbiota. This method also significantly increased soil suppressiveness. Based on the conducted research, an integrated protection system using biological products for the prevention and treatment of radical and root rot of fruit plantations has been developed.