Abstract: A novel strain of Bacillus cereus, designated DGA34, has been isolated from the environment. The strain DGA34 is one of a number of B. cereus strains which are useful as biocontrol agents to combat fungal damping off disease in field crop plants, in part because of their production of the antibiotic zwittermicin A. Strain DGA34 has exhibited the best performance among a large number of natural isolates in producing the highest titer of zwittermicin A production.

Abstract: A novel strain of Bacillus cereus, designated MS1-9, has been isolated from the environment. The strain MS1-9, ATCC 55812, is one of a number of B. cereus strains which are useful as biocontrol agents to combat fungal damping off disease in field crop plants, and strain MS1-9 has exhibited good performance under high disease pressure among a large number of natural isolates in fostering the emergence and growth of alfalfa plants under normal field conditions in the upper midwestern U.S.

Abstract: Biocontrol strains of the bacterial species Bacillus cereus have been previously identified as having use in aiding the growth of crop plants, but have suffered from inconsistent performance on alfalfa. It has been found that biocontrol B. cereus strains are inhibited by canavanine, an analogue of arginine exuded by alfalfa seeds. It has also been found that canavanine resistant mutant strains of B. cereus biocontrol strains can readily be made in culture which exhibit the ability to grow in the presence of alfalfa seed and inhibit Pythium pathogenesis.

Abstract: A new gene from Bacillus cereus has been characterized which codes for a protein conferring resistance to the antibiotic zwittermicin A produced by some strains of the bacteria. The resistance gene, designated zmaR, is found to be present in almost all strains of the bacteria which are known to natively have the ability to synthesize zwittermicin A, and thus allows tests for the presence of the gene to serve as a test to be used with new strains to assay for zwittermicin A production. The gene also has use in increasing production of the antibiotic by producing strains.

Abstract: A novel strain of Bacillus cereus, designated AS4-12, has been isolated from the environment. The strain AS4-12 is one of a number of B. cereus strains which are useful as biocontrol agents to combat fungal damping off disease in field crop plants, and strain AS4-12 has exhibited the best performance among a large number of natural isolates in fostering the emergence and growth of alfalfa plants under normal field conditions in the upper midwestern U.S.

Abstract: The invention includes a substantially pure preparation of Bacillus cereus antibiotic. The invention further includes a seed inoculum for application to seeds to be protected from damping off and root rot including a non-interfering carrier and an effective quantity of Bacillus cereus antibiotic, and a method for protecting plants in a growing medium from damping off and root rot including the step of placing in the growing medium in the immediate vicinity of the plant to be protected an effective quantity of Bacillus cereus antibiotic.

Abstract: The invention includes a substantially pure preparation of Bacillus cereus antibiotic. The invention further includes a seed inoculum for application to seeds to be protected from damping off and root rot including a non-interfering carrier and an effective quantity of Bacillus cereus antibiotic, and a method for protecting plants in a growing medium from damping off and root rot including the step of placing in the growing medium in the immediate vicinity of the plant to be protected an effective guantity of Bacillus cereus antibiotic.

Abstract: The invention includes substantially pure cultures of ATCC 53522 and mutants thereof effective in protecting plants from damping off the root rot as determinable by a defined plant protection assay. The invention further includes a protecting toxin produced by the bacteria just referred to. A seed inoculum includes an effective quantity of the bacteria or the toxin in a carrier. A method for protecting plants from damping off and root rot includes placing an effective quantity of the bacteria or toxin in the immediate vicinity of a plant to be protected.