Systemic and Localized Effects of Bacillus Firmus GB-126

Bacillus firmus GB-126 was evaluated in a split-root experiment to better understand the biological mode of action when used as a biological control of the soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines) in soybeans and root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) in corn. The hypothesis for this experiment is that Bacillus firmus GB-126 can have systemic effects when used as a control agent against plant parasitic nematodes. The supporting objectives for this hypothesis are: 1.) determine if GB-126 has systemic capabilities when used as control against soybean cyst nematodes and 2.) determine if GB-126 has systemic capabilities when used as a control against root-knot nematodes. Preliminary data from the soybean cyst nematode split root experiment show that both systemic and localized effects where observed at 51 days after inoculation. Data from the root-knot nematode experiment is still being collected at this time.