ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses principles believed by the authors to be important to the application of biological control agents, rather than to review the entire body of literature. Because of research interests with the biological control of soil-borne pathogens, most examples presented will be for soil-borne pathogens. The chapter also discusses an approach to the development of application procedures based upon how the application of biocontrol agents integrates with a total biological control system. The simultaneous or sequential introduction of more than one agent to control a pathogen or protect a plant host may offer additional opportunity for successful and durable control. The timing of the application of biocontrol agents should be considered with respect to crop development, the effect of the environment upon the survival and activity of the agent and target, and other management practices (e.g., cultivation, pruning, pesticide application).
