Companion Liquid Biological Fungicide received a new EPA label for all turfgrass and landscape use. Manufactured by Growth Products, Companion prevents, controls and suppresses a broad range of root and foliar diseases. On the turf and landscape side, those include: anthracnose, brown patch, dollar spot, summer patch, fusarium patch, pythium and phytophthora.
Companion’s GB03 strain of Bacillus subtilis has multiple modes of action in preventing and controlling plant diseases. It produces a broad-spectrum antibiotic (Iturin) that disrupts pathogen cell-wall formation. It’s a competitive and fast colonizing rhizobacterium that crowds out pathogens preventing their growth and antagonistic effects. In addition, GB03 triggers Induced System Resistance (ISR) in plants, by activating a plant’s natural immune system to fight disease. Companion’s multiple and unique methods of battling pathogens are environmentally friendly and inhibit pathogens’ ability to develop resistance to fungicides.
Several years of trials at Rutgers and the University of Massachusetts have also shown that Companion can be used in combination with lower rates of chemical fungicides for improved efficacy and/or in rotation with chemical fungicides, thereby reducing chemical applications and total chemical costs.
The Companion line of products was first introduced to the horticultural market in 2001. With its new label, turf and landscape professionals can now use this biofungicide as part of a sound disease management program. Companion can be used on all varieties of turfgrass, shrubs and other landscape materials. Companion does not require any special equipment, handling, or storage.