Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive potato pest of the north of South America that recently colonized zones where Phthorimaea operculella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), a taxonomically related insect, was established. Nowadays, both species can be found in most areas in different proportions. The Phthorimaea operculella granulovirus (PhopGV) was found to efficiently control P. operculella and was used as a biopesticide in storage conditions. However, no appropriate biological control methods exist for T. solanivora, and the use of granulovirus isolates would provide a solution. The Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (CORPOICA) carried out several T. solanivora larva samplings in Colombia with the aim of finding potential isolates. Five geographical granulovirus isolates from T. solanivora (VG001, VG002, VG003, VG004, and VG005) were found, and molecular analysis by REN profiles shows three different genotypic variants in Colombia. Analysis of their genomes revealed their relatedness to PhopGV. Two isolates exhibited submolar bands in their REN patterns, suggesting a mixture of viral genotypes. These data were confirmed by PCR amplification and sequencing of particular regions of the viral genomes. Their biological activity was assayed on both hosts, T. solanivora and P. operculella. A significantly higher pathogenicity in both hosts was observed with isolates VG001 and VG005 than with isolate VG003 or a Peruvian isolate (from P. operculella) used as a reference in the bioassay. Based on their molecular and biological activity characteristics, VG001 and VG005 isolates should be selected for further analysis in order to establish their potential as biological control agents.

The combination of Trichoderma virens Gl006 and B. velezensis Bs006 as a consortium has high potential to control Fusarium wilt (FW) of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. physali (Foph). However, the interactions between these two microorganisms that influence the biocontrol activity as a consortium have not been studied. Here, we studied the interactions between Gl006 and Bs006 that keep their compatibility under in vitro and greenhouse conditions. Antagonism tests between Gl006 and Bs006 inoculated both individually and in consortium against Foph strain Map5 was carried out on several solid media. The effect of supernatant of each selected microorganism on growth, conidia germination, biofilm formation and antagonistic activity on its partner was also studied. Biocontrol activity by different combinations of cells and supernatants from both microorganisms against Fusarium wilt was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. In vitro antagonism of the consortium against Foph showed a differential response among culture media and showed compatibility among BCA under nutritional conditions close to those of the rhizosphere. The supernatant of Bs006 did not affect the antagonistic activity of Gl006 and vice versa. However, the supernatant of Bs006 promoted the biocontrol activity of Gl006 in a synergistic way under greenhouse, reducing the disease severity by 71%. These results prove the compatibility between T. virens Gl006 and B. velezensis Bs006 as a potential tool to control Fusarium wilt of cape gooseberry.Fusarium oxysporum is the causal agent of Fusarium wilt disease in several species of cultivated plants worldwide. This phytopathogen is in the fifth place within the top ten of the most important plant pathogens due to its effects in crops of economic importance causing severe losses 1 . Fusarium wilt is the main limitation of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) crop in Colombia 2 . Wilt symptoms in field include wilting of top leaves, stunting of plants, lateral yellowing of branches and leaves, some plants present both dry and alive branches. Plants finally become yellow and die, resulting in plant losses and reduced fruit yield. This phytosanitary problem has also caused the migration of cropped areas within the country, but the problem persists in old and new cropped areas 2 . Currently, there are no registered phytosanitary products for the control of this disease in cape gooseberry.In this context, biological control has emerged as an environmentally sustainable alternative. However, classical biological control in which just one biological control agent (BCA) is used has shown high variability among tests. Considering that biocontrol agents are living organisms and they may not be active in all agroecosystems 3 , many of the recent studies have focused on using combinations of BCA to increase the efficacy against phytopathogens. Those combinations are known as consortia. A consortium is a microbial association of two or more microorganisms, which could be archaea, fu...

Background and aim Fusarium wilt (FW) is the major constraint on cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) production. Fungicides have been ineffective in disease control and alternative tools are not available. Bacillus velezensis (formerly Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) strain Bs006 has an antagonistic potential against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. physali (Foph). However, results of

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