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The article looks at some of the biological control agents for diseases of ornamental plants. They include BioWorks' bacterial product Cease, and its RootShield Plus which combines the fungi Trichorderma (T.) harzianum T-22 and T. viride G41. It also features the vermicompost tea developed by Doctor Neil Mattson and Cornell University senior extension associate Margery Daughtrey. The testing of a new species of T. asperellum for remediation of nursery sites with Ramorum blight is discussed.

The article discusses the prevention and management of bacterial leaf spots. It notes that obtaining background information on the diseases affecting the crops serves as the first step in disease control. Approaches in disease prevention are given which include the use of pathogen-free cuttings, plugs and seeds, elimination of overhead irrigation and avoidance of exposure to from rainfall. Bactericide is cited as the last resort in preventing bacterial leaf spots.

The article focuses on the plant fungal disease called Rhizoctonia. The fungus thrives during the summer months where plants suffer from aerial blight and leaf spot. The most common type of the fungus is the Rhizoctonia solani. This fungus strikes a wide range of ornamental plants. It is suggested the prevention is the best way to control the fungus.

The author explores the factors to consider by growers in rotating fungicides to minimize disease. She advises growers to practice integrated pest management (IPM) to reduce disease pressure. She suggests replacing tank-mixing with rotation as a resistant management strategy in fungal pathogens. Also discussed are effective rotations for the most common plant diseases including bacterial leaf spot rotation and cercospora fungicide rotation.