Canada to ok biopesticide Trichoderma asperellum Strain T34

The Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is granting full registration for the sale and use of T34 Biocontrol Technical and T34 Biocontrol, containing the technical grade active ingredient Trichoderma asperellum strain T34, to suppress fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum on greenhouse ornamentals.

Trichoderma asperellum strain T34 is a fungus that is used as a microbial pest control agent (MPCA) to control fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum on greenhouse ornamentals including carnation plants. Trichoderma asperellum strain T34 acts by competing directly for space and/or nutrients, by parasitizing the pathogenic fungus, and by inducing plant resistance.The T34 strain of T. asperellum was originally isolated from a natural suppressive compost-peat mix in Spain.

The PMRA has opened the public comments until Nov 4, 2013.