Method for reducing plant stress, fungi, and mycotoxins

Abstract

Methods for treating a plant or part thereof, or a growth medium for cultivating a plant, with a composition comprising an effective quantity or rate of Colletotrichum tofieldiae to increase the tolerance / resistance of the plant or part thereof to abiotic and / or biotic stress. For example, a method for reducing fungal genera with respect to mycotoxin production may include contacting the plant with a composition comprising the microorganism Colletotrichum tofieldiae and / or extracts of this microorganism and / or filtrates of this microorganism. A plant is contacted with a composition comprising the microorganism C. tofieldiae, the culture medium, or the filtrate. The composition may be applied to the whole plant or to any part thereof, such as leaves, shoots, flowers, fruits, ears of corn, seeds, bulbs, tubers, roots, and seedlings.The application of the composition to the plant can be carried out at any stage in the planting, growth, and / or harvesting season.