It is hypothesized that the ideal commercial carrier should both
prolong the shelf life of B. amyloliquefaciens QL-18 and promote its
ability to suppress TBW without facilitating the growth of
R. solanacearum in soil. To select a suitable carrier for
B. amyloliquefaciens QL-18, a series of in vitro, greenhouse and field
experiments were carried out to evaluate (1) the shelf life of
B. amyloliquefaciens QL-18 in different carrier (compost or peat)
formulations; (2) the ability of compost or peat to serve as the sole
nutrient source for B. amyloliquefaciens QL-18 and R. solanacearum
survival; (3) the effects of carriers on the survival of
B. amyloliquefaciens QL-18 and R. solanacearum in soil; and (4) the
effects of carriers on the ability of B. amyloliquefaciens QL-18 to
reduce the disease incidence of TBW under greenhouse and field
conditions.