One Simple Step for Healthier Plants - An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure!

If someone told you there was a product you could incorporate in your soil, which would help prevent all the major root diseases for at least 4 weeks, would you believe them? Growth Products is happy to report that that product exists and it is called Companion Dry Concentrate Biological Fungicide.

This dry formulation contains the same active ingredient (Bacillus subtilis GB03) as our popular liquid fungicide, Companion®. It is EPA registered as a biological fungicide and is labeled for the prevention and control of Pythium, Phytophthora, Fusarium, Rhizoctonia, and Sclerotinia.

The Bacillus subtilis in Companion Dry Concentrate is a beneficial microbe that quickly colonizes a plantÆs root hairs. Plants benefit from the addition of Companion in numerous ways:

• Bacillus subtilis produces a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which helps weaken and kill plant pathogens.
• The beneficial microbes in Companion occupy the entire root hair, thereby eliminating sites where pathogens might otherwise enter. This is also referred to as 'Niche Occupation'.
• These same microbes clean the roots by eating the dead and dying cells. Plants respond by growing new, healthy roots.
• Growth ProductÆs isolated strain of Bacillus subtilis, known as the GB03 strain, provides enzymes and auxin-like metabolites, which improve plant growth and vigor.

The Bacillus subtilis contained in Companion Dry Concentrate is compatible with most chemical fungicides, and can be used alone or tank-mixed with traditional fungicides to create a "one-two" punch. Recent research by Mississippi State University described Companion as a good tool to use in rotation with or combination with traditional chemicals.

Companion Dry Concentrate has an REI of zero, which makes it a very safe alternative to chemicals. ItÆs also very cost-effective, and growers who use Companion often report significantly lowered chemical costs.

Companion Dry Concentrate Biological Fungicide is available in 5 pound and 20 pound containers. Dry Companion incorporated in the soil is ideal for annuals, bedding plants, and plugs. On a short-term crop, this may be the only fungicide you will need. Longer crops will benefit from monthly follow up applications with our liquid formulation of Companion Biological Fungicide.