A composition and methods of using the composition for the control of mollusks are provided, which include an effective amount of one or more isolated Phasmarhabditis nematodes, wherein at least one of the isolated nematodes is P. californica, P. papillosa or P. hermaphrodita, and wherein the P. hermaphrodita does not comprise Moraxella osloensis.

The present invention provides a synergistic composition of a nematicide comprising of a nematicidal peptides derived from CED-4 protein sequence comprising of at least two peptides. The nematicidal peptides individually show 100% nematicidal activity at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, whereas, the combination of at least two peptides in a ratio of 1:1 shows 100% nematicidal activity at concentration as low as 0.8 mg/ml bringing a synergistic effect. This synergistic nematicidal composition is highly economical as it requires 20% less peptide concentration for 100% activity, moreover the composition is environmentally safe and non-toxic to humans and animals.

The present invention provides a synergistic composition of a nematicide comprising of a nematicidal peptides derived from CED-4 protein sequence comprising of at least two peptides. The nematicidal peptides individually show 100% nematicidal activity at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, whereas, the combination of at least two peptides in a ratio of 1:1 shows 100% nematicidal activity at concentration as low as 0.8 mg/ml bringing a synergistic effect. This synergistic nematicidal composition is highly economical as it requires 20% less peptide concentration for 100% activity, moreover the composition is environmentally safe and non-toxic to humans and animals.

The present invention provides a synergistic composition of a nematicide comprising of a nematicidal peptides derived from CED-4 protein sequence comprising of at least two peptides. The nematicidal peptides individually show 100% nematicidal activity at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, whereas, the combination of at least two peptides in a ratio of 1:1 shows 100% nematicidal activity at concentration as low as 0.8 mg/ml bringing a synergistic effect. This synergistic nematicidal composition is highly economical as it requires 20% less peptide concentration for 100% activity, moreover the composition is environmentally safe and non-toxic to humans and animals.

Disclosed are methods for increasing infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes in any target area for the purposes of insect control, said method comprising: (a) mixing an aqueous nematode infectivity increasing composition with (i) entomopathogenic nematodes to activate said entomopathogenic nematodes for increased infectivity prior to application of said entomopathogenic nematodes to said target area, or (ii) seeds to produce coated seeds, and (b) applying said entomopathogenic nematodes to said target area or planting said coated seeds in said target area; wherein said aqueous nematode infectivity increasing composition is produced by methods disclosed herein.

Disclosed are methods for increasing infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes in any target area for the purposes of insect control, said method comprising: (a) mixing an aqueous nematode infectivity increasing composition with (i) entomopathogenic nematodes to activate said entomopathogenic nematodes for increased infectivity prior to application of said entomopathogenic nematodes to said target area, or (ii) seeds to produce coated seeds, and (b) applying said entomopathogenic nematodes to said target area or planting said coated seeds in said target area; wherein said aqueous nematode infectivity increasing composition is produced by methods disclosed herein.

The present invention provides a synergistic composition of a nematicide comprising of a nematicidal peptide, and chalcones, wherein the nematicidal peptide is derived from CED-4 protein sequence is either, Peptide 2, or Peptide 3, or Peptide 12; and chalcones are either chalcone 17, chalcone 25, or chalcone 30. The nematicidal peptides alone show 100% nematicidal activity at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, whereas, when combined with chalcones, 100% nematicidal activity is seen at concentration as low as 0.8 mg/ml bringing a synergistic effect. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for preparing working solutions of chalcones in aqueous solvents such as water by diluting the stock solution of chalcones, prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide, serially in ethanol and water. The final concentration of chalcone is around 10.sup.4-10.sup.5 M in the nematicidal composition. This synergistic nematicidal composition is environmentally safe and non-toxic to humans and animals.

The present invention provides a synergistic composition of a nematicide comprising of a nematicidal peptide, and chalcones, wherein the nematicidal peptide is derived from CED-4 protein sequence is either, Peptide 2, or Peptide 3, or Peptide 12; and chalcones are either chalcone 17, chalcone 25, or chalcone 30. The nematicidal peptides alone show 100% nematicidal activity at a concentration of 1 mg/ml, whereas, when combined with chalcones, 100% nematicidal activity is seen at concentration as low as 0.8 mg/ml bringing a synergistic effect. Another embodiment of the invention provides a method for preparing working solutions of chalcones in aqueous solvents such as water by diluting the stock solution of chalcones, prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide, serially in ethanol and water. The final concentration of chalcone is around 10.sup.4-10.sup.5 M in the nematicidal composition. This synergistic nematicidal composition is environmentally safe and non-toxic to humans and animals.

This disclosure describes a biological system of plant growth promotion, pest resistance and disease resistance by application of strains of T. viride, Trichoderma harzianum K2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS3, or a combination thereof. These strains can be used in conventional or organic agriculture for the promotion nematode resistance when applied topically as a foliar spray or as a seed coating. The highly active strains also are expected to increase plant productivity and improve quality of fruits, vegetables, flowers or other plant products.

This disclosure describes a biological system of plant growth promotion, pest resistance and disease resistance by application of strains of T. viride, Trichoderma harzianum K2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS2, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens AS3, or a combination thereof. These strains can be used in conventional or organic agriculture for the promotion nematode resistance when applied topically as a foliar spray or as a seed coating. The highly active strains also are expected to increase plant productivity and improve quality of fruits, vegetables, flowers or other plant products.