Abstract:
It is an object of the present invention to provide a soil-borne diseases controlling agent by the use of newly discovered microorganisms having strong antibacterial action. The soil-borne diseases controlling agent according to the present invention is characterized by that the agent comprises microorganisms selected from the group consisting of Bacillus sp. International Deposit Number FERM BP-4375 and Bacillus sp. International Deposit Number FERM BP-4376 as an active ingredient antagonistic against pathogenic Fusarium fungi (Fusarium species).

Description:
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/132,257, filed on Oct. 6, 1993, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a soil-borne diseases controlling agent antagonistic specifically against pathogenic Fusarium fungi. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Some kinds of microorganism in soil affect growth of plants and soil-borne diseases. The soil-borne diseases have being controlled by use of chemical agents, however, the controlling has problems of toxicity causing harmful effect on the human body and environment due to the residual chemicals in soil. 
     These days, the soil fertility of farm has been weakening by excessive application of agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, and troubles for continuous cropping on an identical farm are becoming more seriously. As a result, the farm management becomes more difficult due to decreasing product quality and productivity. About 60-70% of the continuous cropping trouble comes from soil-borne pathogenic microorganisms, however, only a few chemicals are effective in controlling the soil-borne diseases. Fumigants such as chloropicrin and methylbromide are commonly used for treating the soil contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms. Problems of the treatment is that fumigants destroy the ecosystem of microorganisms in soil due to the non-selective destruction with no consideration on their usefulness. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel soil-borne diseases controlling agent by the use of newly discovered microorganisms having strong antibacterial action. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The soil-borne diseases controlling agent according to the present invention is characterized by that the agent comprises microorganisms selected from the group consisting of International Deposit Number FERM BP-4375 and International Deposit Number FERM BP-4376 deposited in National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology (Agency of Industrial Science and Technology) of Japan as an active ingredient antagonistic against pathogenic Fusarium fungi (Fusarium species). 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FERM BP-4375 is a fungus deposited in the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology of Japan under Deposit No. FERM P-12954 on May 14, 1992, and transferred to International deposit under Deposit No. FERM BP-4375 on Aug. 3, 1993, and has mycological property as shown in Table 1. 
     FERM BP-4376 is a fungus deposited in the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology of Japan under Deposit No. FERM P-12955 on May 14, 1992, and transferred to International deposit under Deposit No. FERM BP-4376, and has mycological property as shown in Table 2. 
     
                       TABLE 1______________________________________Mycological property of FERM BP-4375Mycological property  reaction______________________________________form                  rodGram stain            positiveformation of spore    positivereaction to oxygen    aerobiccolony in NA* culture medium                 loose typecatalase activity     positiveproduction of ammonia positivehydrolysis of cottonseed oil                 negativehydrolysis of casein  positivereaction of BCP* milk alkali digestionarginine              negativeglutamine             negativelysine                negativeornithine             negativeproduction of fluorochrome                 negativeresistance at 80° C.                 positiveUtility Testsuccinic acid         positivefumaric acid          positivemalic acid            negativepyruvic acid          positivemalonic acid          negativebenzoic acid          negativeformic acid           negativeitaconic acid         negativehippuric acid         negativetartaric acid         negativepimeric acid          negativetriptamine            negativemesaconic acid        negativesaccharinic acid      negativefructose              negativeaesculin              negativeinuline               positivesebacic acid          negativeheptanoic acid        negativepropionic acid        negativeadonite               negativetrehalose             positivesalicine              negativemelibiose             negativesorbitol              negativedulcitol              negativecellobiose            negativerhamnose              positiveinositol              positivemelezitose            negativeputrescine            negativecitric acid           negativelactic acid           negativebetaine               negativevaline                negativegalactose             negativeerythrite             negativecitraconic acid       negativethreonine             negativegeraniol              negativeβ-alanine        negativesuberic acid          negativehomoserine            negativepropylene glycol      negativebutanediol            negativeα-methyl-d-glucoside                 negative______________________________________ NA*: Nutrient Agar BCP*: Bromocresol Purple 
    
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________Mycological property of FERM BP-4376Mycological property  reaction______________________________________form                  rodGram stain            positiveformation of spore    positivereaction to oxygen    aerobiccolony in NA* culture medium                 loose typecatalase activity     positiveproduction of ammonia positivereduction of nitrate  positiveliquefaction of gelatin                 positiveproduction of H.sub.2 S                 positivehydrolysis of starch  positivehydrolysis of cottonseed oil                 negativehydrolysis of casein  positivereaction of BCP* milk alkali digestionarginine              negativeglutamine             negativelysine                negativeornithine             negativeproduction of fluorochrome                 negativeresistance at 80° C.                 positiveUtility Testsuccinic acid         negativefumaric acid          positivemalic acid            positivepyruvic acid          positivemalonic acid          positivebenzoic acid          negativeformic acid           negativeitaconic acid         negativehippuric acid         positivetartaric acid         positivepimeric acid          positivetriptamine            negativemesaconic acid        positivesaccharinic acid      negativesebacic acid          negativeheptanoic acid        negativepropionic acid        negativeadonite               positivesalicine              positivemelibiose             positivesorbitol              positivedulcitol              positivecellobiose            positiverhamnose              positiveinositol              positivemelezitose            positiveputrescine            negativecitric acid           negativelactic acid           positivebetaine               positivevaline                positivegalactose             positivecitraconic acid       positivethreonine             positivegeraniol              negativeβ-alanine        positivesuberic acid          positivepropylene glycol      positivebutanediol            positiveα-methyl-d-glucoside                 positiveaesculin              positiveinuline               positive______________________________________ NA*: Nutrient Agar BCP*: Bromocresol Purple 
    
     These fungi have antibacterial activity antagonistic against Fusarium species as indicated in the below-mentioned Example 1 (Table 3) and Example 2 (Table 4), and the activity is enhanced when one or both of them are combined with a material containing chitin. It is guessed that a certain antibiotic material is produced by nourishing FERM BP-4375 and/or FERM BP-4376 with chitin, and the produced antibiotic material inhibits growth of Fusarium species to result in the stimulation of the soil-borne diseases controlling activity. 
     The chitin-containing material usable for the present invention is not restricted specifically by the kind and grading in so far as the material contains chitin usually derived from shells of arthropod or mollusk. Preferred raw materials for the chitin-containing material are shells of crab or lobster due to the availability and easy processing. 
     The amount of FERM BP-4375 and/or FERM BP-4376 to be combined with the chitin-containing material is settled at about 1×10 2  -1×10 9  fungi/gram of chitin-containing material, preferably 1×10 5  -1×10 7  fungi/gram of chitin-containing material. 
     As to practical configurations of the present soil-borne diseases controlling agent, it is desirous from the standpoint of prolonged effectiveness, transportation, application, etc. that FERM BP-4375 and/or FERM BP-4376 combined with a chitin-containing material are further mixed with a powdery granular material. Otherwise, it is also helpful that FERM BP-4375 and/or FERM BP-4376 is carried on a powdery granular material first, and then a chitin-containing material is added thereto. 
     As to the mixing ratio of the powdery granular material and the chitin-containing material for a mixture composition in which FERM BP-4375 and/or FERM BP-4376 are contained, it is preferable that the resulting mixture have a pH value of 7.0-9.5. Thus pH-adjusted composition can maintain the activity of fungi for a longer period of time. 
     The powdery granular material mixed for adjusting pH values is exemplified by crushed limestone, crushed dolomite, crushed magnesite and crushed light-weight aerated concrete (ALC). Though the kind and grading of the material are not restricted specifically, it is desirous to use porous ones having high water absorption and acidity regulating activity. 
     Instead of mixing the fungi-bearing chitin-containing material with a powdery granular material, a predetermined number of fungi may be carried on the powdery granular material, and then a chitin-containing material may be added thereto. 
     When the powdery granular material is limestone, soft-porous limestone formed after the Cainozoic era by calcification in shallow sea under no affection of metamorphose is preferred to dense-crystalline limestone formed before the Mesozoic era because of better settling of the microorganism and better performance as a carrier. Such a soft-porous limestone was formed in the Miocene era (20-30 million years ago) and is mainly obtainable in the South East Asia area. Crushed light-weight aerated concrete is a hydrated calcium silicate (CaO.SiO 2 .nH 2  O) containing tobermorite as the principal component. Air is introduced when the concrete is formed, and is mainly used as construction materials. The concrete is employed in the present invention in a crushed form of smaller than 5 mm. Further, granules and powders of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are also used as carriers of the microorganisms. 
    
    
     By the application to soil of the present soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing the antibacterial microorganisms as an active ingredient, controlling of phytopathosis caused by pathogenic Fusarium species is achieved as the effect. The present invention will be explained in detail by reference of Examples, however, the invention never be limited by the Examples. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Into each petri dish was dispensed 20 ml (milliliter) of a culture medium of TRIPTIC SOY BROTH (®; produce of DIFCO Co.) containing 1.0 wt % of agar. A test strain FERM BP-4375 and an indication strain Fusarium species were seeded on the same culture medium, and a dual culture under dark conditions was conducted for a period of from 24 to 240 hours. The antibacterial activity of the test strain was evaluated by reference to the growth inhibitory belt formed between the test stain and the indication strain. The result is shown in Table 3. As clearly understandable from the Table, FERM BP-4375 is noticed to be active or strongly active in controlling the Fusarium species. 
     
                       TABLE 3______________________________________(Antibacterial Activity of FERM BP-4375)Pathogenic fungus     Activity evaluated______________________________________Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lagenariae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. allii                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. garlic                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucurbitae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. arctii                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cerealis                 + +Fusarium arthrosporioides                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fabae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans                 + + +Fusarium solani       + +______________________________________ + + +: strongly active + +: active +: weakly active 
    
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Into each petri dish was dispensed 20 ml of a culture medium of TRIPTIC SOY BROTH (®; produce of DIFCO Co.) containing 1.0 wt % of agar. A test strain FERM BP-4376 and an indication strain Fusarium species were seeded on the same culture medium, and a dual culture under dark conditions was conducted for a period of from 24 to 240 hours. 
     
                       TABLE 4______________________________________(Antibacterial Activity of FERM BP-4376)Pathogenic fungus     Activity evaluated______________________________________Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lagenariae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. raphani                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. allii                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. batatas                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. spinaciae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fragariae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melongenae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. garlic                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucurbitae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. arctii                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cerealis                 + + +Fusarium arthrosporioides                 + + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. fabae                 + +Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. conglutinans                 + +Fusarium solani       + +______________________________________ + + +: strongly active + +: active +: weakly active 
    
     The antibacterial activity of the test strain was evaluated by reference to the growth inhibitory belt formed between the test stain and the indication strain. The result is shown in Table 4. As clearly understandable from the Table, FERM BP-4376 is noticed to be active or strongly active in controlling the Fusarium species. 
     EXAMPLE 3 
     FERM BP-4375 was cultivated in a shaker for 168 hours under shaking of 160 rpm rotation, in which was used a liquid culture medium containing 0.2 wt % of yeast extract and 0.5 wt % of peptone being adjusted at pH 7.0. The resulting culture medium containing 1×10 9  FERM BP-4375 fungi/ml medium was mixed with a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm, thereby a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4375 fungi/g chitin was obtained. A 1/2000a (are; 100m 2 ) Wagner pot was filled with steam-sterilized ando soil (andosol) and fertilized with 1.3 g of N, 1.0 g of P 2  O 5 , 1.0 g of K 2  O and 1.0 /g of CaO. To the pot was applied 1.25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied the cultivated FERM BP-4375 of a number of fungi corresponding to that of fungi in Example 3. 
     Comparative Example 1 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied the crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm of the same amount corresponding to the amount in Example 3. 
     Comparative Example 2 
     A 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was utilized for the test. No additive other than the fertilizer was used. 
     To respective pots for Examples 3, 4, Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were added 1×10 2  fungi/g soil of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici as a pathogenic fungus. Ten tomato seedlings of the first fruit cluster blooming stage were planted per lot, and no further fertilizer was applied. The control effect upon the phytopathosis at 50 days after the plantation was observed, and the result is shown in Table 5. The percentage of infected seedlings obtained by Example 4 in which FERM BP-4375 was applied as itself is smaller by comparison with that for Comparative Example 2 of no fungal application or for Comparative Example 1 of chitin application only. A remarkable reduction in the percentage of infected seedlings is noticed for Example 3 in which FERM BP-4375 was applied in combination with crab shell derived chitin. 
     
                       TABLE 5______________________________________Pot for plantation test         Percentage of infected seedling*______________________________________Example 3     40Example 4     60Comparative Example 1         80Comparative Example 2         100______________________________________ ##STR1## 
    
     EXAMPLE 5 
     FERM BP-4376 cultivated in the same manner as Example 3 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm thereby was prepared a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4376 fungi/g chitin. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 1.25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 6 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied cultivated FERM BP-4376 corresponding in number to that of Example 5. 
     Comparative Example 3 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm corresponding in amount to that of Example 5. 
     Comparative Example 4 
     A 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was utilized for the test. No additive other than the fertilizer was used. 
     To respective pots for Examples 5, 6, Comparative Examples 3 and 4 were added 1×10 2  fungi/g soil of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici as a pathogenic fungus. Ten tomato seedlings of the first fruit cluster blooming stage were planted per lot, and no further fertilizer was applied. The control effect upon the phytopathosis at 50 days after the plantation was observed, and the result is shown in Table 6. The percentage of infected seedlings obtained by Example 4 in which FERM BP-4376 was applied as itself is smaller by comparison with that for Comparative Example 4 of no fungal application or for Comparative Example 3 of chitin application only. A remarkable reduction in the percentage of infected seedlings is noticed for Example 5 in which FERM BP-4376 was applied in combination with crab shell derived chitin. 
     
                       TABLE 6______________________________________Pot for plantation test         Percentage of infected seedling*______________________________________Example 5     50Example 6     70Comparative Example 3         80Comparative Example 4         100______________________________________ ##STR2## 
    
     EXAMPLE 7 
     FERM BP-4375 cultivated in the same manner as Example 3 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm to prepare a composition containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4375 fungi/g chitin, and the composition was added to KUZUU-limestone (dolomite) to obtain a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 5 wt % of the composition. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     FERM BP-4375 cultivated in the same manner as Example 3 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm to prepare a composition containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4375 fungi/g chitin, and the composition was added to OKINAWA-limestone (coral) to obtain a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 5 wt % of the composition. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 9 
     FERM BP-4375 cultivated in the same manner as Example 3 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm to prepare a composition containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4375 fungi/g chitin, and the composition was added to INDONESIAN-limestone (the Miocene era; soft and porous limestone) to obtain a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 5 wt % of the composition. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     FERM BP-4375 cultivated in the same manner as Example 3 was added to a crab shell derived chitin to prepare a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4375 fungi/g chitin. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 1.25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     Comparative Example 5 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was added the same amount of KUZUU-limestone in Example 7. 
     Comparative Example 6 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was added OKINAWA-limestone of the same amount as in Example 8. 
     Comparative Example 7 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was added INDONESIAN-limestone (the Miocene era; soft and porous limestone) of the same amount as in Example 9. 
     Comparative Example 8 
     A 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was utilized for the test. No additive other than the fertilizer was used. 
     To respective pots for Examples 7-10 and Comparative Examples 5-8 were added 1×10 2  fungi/g soil of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici as a pathogenic fungus. Ten tomato seedlings of the first fruit cluster blooming stage were planted per lot, and no further fertilizer was applied. The control effect upon the phytopathosis at 50 days after the plantation was observed, and the result is shown in Table 7. The percentage of infected seedlings obtained by Examples 7, 8 and 9 in which FERM BP-4375 was applied as a composition comprising the strain added chitin derived from crab shell and powdery granular material is smaller than that by Example 10 in which FERM BP-4375 was applied in combination only with crab shell derived chitin. It is clear from the result obtained by Comparative Examples 5-7 that the reduction is not resulted from the effect of the powdery granular material itself. 
     
                       TABLE 7______________________________________Pot for plantation test         Percentage of infected seedling*______________________________________Example 7     20Example 8     20Example 9     10Example 10    40Comparative Example 5         90Comparative Example 6         100Comparative Example 7         90Comparative Example 8         100______________________________________ ##STR3## 
    
     EXAMPLE 11 
     FERM BP-4376 cultivated in the same manner as Example 5 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm to prepare a composition containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4376 fungi/g chitin, and the composition was added to KUZUU-limestone (dolomite) to obtain a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 5 wt % of the composition. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 12 
     FERM BP-4376 cultivated in the same manner as Example 5 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm to prepare a composition containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4376 fungi/g chitin, and the composition was added to OKINAWA-limestone (coral) to obtain a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 5 wt % of the composition. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 13 
     FERM BP-4376 cultivated in the same manner as Example 5 was added to a crab shell derived chitin of smaller than 5 mm to prepare a composition containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4376 fungi/g chitin, and the composition was added to INDONESIAN-limestone (the Miocene era; soft and porous limestone) to obtain a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 5 wt % of the composition. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     EXAMPLE 14 
     FERM BP-4376 cultivated in the same manner as Example 5 was added to a crab shell derived chitin to prepare a soil-borne diseases controlling agent containing 2×10 7  FERM BP-4376 fungi /g chitin. To a 1/2000a Wagner pot prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was applied 1.25 g/pot of the above-mentioned controlling agent. 
     Comparative Example 9 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was added KUZUU-limestone of the same amount as in Example 11. 
     Comparative Example 10 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was added OKINAWA-limestone of the same amount as in Example 12. 
     Comparative Example 11 
     To a 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was added INDONESIAN-limestone (the Miocene era; soft and porous limestone) of the same amount as in Example 9. 
     Comparative Example 12 
     A 1/2000a Wagner pot filled with ando soil being prepared in the same manner as Example 3 was utilized for the test. 
     To respective pots for Examples 11-14 and Comparative Examples 9-12 were added 1×10 2  fungi/g soil of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici as a pathogenic fungus. Ten tomato seedlings of the first fruit cluster blooming stage were planted per lot, and no further fertilizer was applied. The control effect upon the phytopathosis at 50 days after the plantation was observed, and the result is shown in Table 8. The percentage of infected seedlings obtained by Examples 11, 12 and 13 in which FERM BP-4376 was applied as a composition comprising the strain added chitin derived from crab shell and powdery granular material is smaller than that by Example 14 in which FERM BP-4376 was applied in combination only with crab shell derived chitin. It is clear from the result obtained by Comparative Examples 9-11 that the reduction is not resulted from the effect of the powdery granular material itself. 
     
                       TABLE 8______________________________________Pot for plantation test          Percentage of infected seedling*______________________________________Example 11     30Example 12     30Example 13     20Example 14     50Comparative Example 9          90Comparative Example 10          100Comparative Example 11          90Comparative Example 12          100______________________________________ ##STR4## 
    
     The soil-borne diseases controlling agent according to the present invention is capable of controlling effectively phytopathosis caused by pathogenic Fusarium fungi without resulting in harmful effect on the human body and environment.