Effect of green manure and biocontrol agents on potato crop in Cordoba, Argentina.

Field trials were conducted in commercial plots over two consecutive years in order to determine the effect of wild oat used as green manure and biocontrol agents, alone or combined, on potato yield, number of tubers and scab incidence. The biomass of green manure was added to the soil one and a half months before sowing. Potato seeds were dipped in liquid suspensions containing either Bacillus subtilis B-235 or Trichoderma harzianum Th-1, or a combination of both. Green manure was effective in promoting potato yield and reducing scab incidence. The combination of green manure and the liquid formulation of B-235 provided significantly improved results with a higher number of potato tubers and lower potato scab incidence. The combination of wild oat green manure and B-235 is thus a promising alternative to improve potato yield and reduce scab incidence.