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Participatory approaches have been advocated as ways of increasing knowledge through technology transfer to farmers. Model sites as a participatory approach consist of a Main Unit (MU), owned by the extension local assistant or facilitator, and about 25 subordinate units belonging to the surrounding farmers. These sites disseminate technical knowledge through the MU among the subordinate units. This approach seeks to create synergies among researchers, extension agents, field experts, and farmers to improve the quality and quantity of agricultural products. This investigation, carried out in the production units of Extension Local Assistants (ELA) along with the participation of farmers through the dissemination of knowledge, benefits from the results of a survey through researcher-made checklists. The sample population consisted of 724 farmers in Khuzestan Province, Iran, selected through census method, 34 of whom were extension local assistants and the rest (as large as 690) included ordinary farmers. The results showed that the farmers participating in the sites had gained significantly higher quantity and quality of field crops, horticulture, and vegetables production. Degrees of reduction in water consumption, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides application were observed in MU sites and subordinate units. Moreover, in each site, some new technologies were transferred to subordinate farmers. The sites could be considered as demonstration farms for non-member farmers. This study brings new insights into the impact of synergy between all stakeholders in the form of new agricultural extension approach to improve quantity and quality of field crops, horticulture, and vegetables production, using the capacity of local communities.

Plant cells have enough capacity to produce many of secondary metabolites, similar to the whole plants. Elicitation is one of the most significant methods to increase the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the medicinal plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of three different hormones on alkaloids production in suspension culture of Papaver bracteatum Lindl., in order to identify the relationship between the alkaloid biosynthesis and gene expression. Inducible factors initiate BenzylIsoquinoline Alkaloids (BIAs) biosynthesis in Opium poppy. The current study investigated the accumulation of alkaloids content and Tyrosine/DopadeCarboxilase (TYDC), Berberine Bridge Enzyme (BBE), Salutardinol Acetyl Transferase (SAT), and Codeinone Reductase (COR) gene transcripts in suspension culture of P. bracteatum. Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) and Gibberellic Acid (GA) were used as hormonal elicitors in the suspension cultures with three different doses and two timings along with the control. This research showed the induction of morphine alkaloid in the suspension culture of P. bracteatum. Elicitation by 20 mg L-1 concentration of IAA after 48 h indicated significant increase in morphine amount. Comparison among genes revealed that the expression levels of COR dramatically increased while TYDC, BBE and SAT had no significant difference compared to the control. After elicitation by IAA, IBA, and GA, the highest levels of morphine were measured as 243.2, 207.2, and 178.1 mg g-1, respectively. The results demonstrated that timing had a significant effect on the hormonal elicitation: 48 h treatment could induce more morphine alkaloids compared to 24 hours treatments.

Poultry should be stored in appropriate conditions to prevent its fast spoilage. Using ‎antimicrobial coatings is considered as one of the ‎methods to preserve‎ this product. In this study, ‎‎Chitosan and Chitosan-Nisin coatings were examined under refrigerated‎ conditions at a temperature of 4°C. The ‎samples were packed in ‎ uncoated as the control, ‎Chitosan coating, and Chitosan-Nisin coating groups. The chicken fillets were tested for microbial (total ‎bacterial count, Salmonella count, and staphylococcus aureus coagulase) and ‎physicochemical (pH, color, and texture) features on the first, third, fifth, and ‎seventh days of storage. Based on the results, the ‎Chitosan coating increased the shelf life of fresh chicken under refrigerated conditions by three-days, which demonstrated‎ an inhibitory effect on the overall bacterial growth until the ‎third day. Finally, Chitosan coating demonstrated an antibacterial effect on the Salmonella and positive ‎staphylococcus aureus coagulase until the fifth day. The samples with‎ Chitosan-Nisin were found to be more effective than the Chitosan ‎coated samples. In addition, the‎ Chitosan-Nisin coated samples‎ prevented the growth of total bacteria including‎ Salmonella, ‎and‎ positive staphylococcus‏ ‏aureus coagulase. Further, it increased the shelf life of fresh ‎chicken under refrigerated conditions at the temperature of 4 °C for seven days.

Haze stress has various destructive physical, chemical and physiological effects on the plants. Cold plasma treatment is recognized as a suitable technology to improve germination efficiency of numerous seeds. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of cold plasma in order to reduce harmful effects of haze on winter wheat (Pishgam cultivar) in the greenhouse. Seeds of wheat were treated with cold air plasma at 50W during different time intervals of 60, 120, 180 and 240 seconds. In the greenhouse, simulation of haze stress with concentration of 1500 μg m-3 was performed at 13, 49, 61 and 69 Zadoks scales at agricultural research greenhouse of Tarbiat Modares University. Effects of plasma treatments on quality and quantity of wheat were determined by the rate of photosynthesis, leaf stomatal density, size of stomata, intercellular CO2 concentration, transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, Relative Water Content (RWC), stomatal conductance, spike yield, and grain yield. Results indicated a significant difference among plasma treatments and the control. Plasma treatment in 180 seconds ameliorated photosynthesis rate, chlorophyll content, and stomatal conductance by 34, 32, and 93%, respectively, compared with the control. In response to haze stress in plasma treatments at 180s plasma treatment, grain and spike yield were increased by 58 and 75%, respectively, compared with the control plants. The results showed that plasma treatments reduced damage of haze stress on winter wheat.

Dairy factories produce high volume of sludge from bactofuge and separator. Meantime, global demand for the proteases is increasing. Recently, utilization and conversion of the waste materials into value added product is a sustainable process. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential of bactofuge and separator sludge to produce alkaline protease enzymes. Total viable aerobic and anaerobic counts were determined on Plate Count Agar at 37 and 50ºC for both types of sludge. Lactobacillus count in MRS Agar plates corresponded to 3.12±0.25 log CFU mL-1 for sludge of bactofuge and 3.085±0.2 log CFU mL-1 for sludge of separator. Mold and yeast had population levels of 2.3±0.1 log CFU mL-1 for bactofuge and 2.08±0.1 log CFU mL-1 for separator. Proteolytic bacteria were isolated from dairy sludge using Skim Milk Agar media. A clear zone of Skim Milk hydrolysis indicated protease-producing organisms. Different cultural parameters (temperature, pH, thermal shock, and kind of sludge) were optimized for maximal enzyme production. Maximum proteolytic activity was observed at 37◦C (P< 0.05). Isolated alkaline protease producing Bacilli were identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The species were identified as Bacillus cereus strain zk2, Bacillus sp. cp-h71, Bacillus thuringiensis strain ILBB224, and Bacillus sp. Bac6D2.

Date press cake is a by-product of date fruit juicing that has remained underutilized in the food industry. This is mostly due to the lack of information and technical knowledge about its chemical composition, nutritional value, health benefits and possible effects on the quality of food products upon inclusion. The main aim of this research was to determine the chemical composition, bioactive compounds and functional properties of date press cake to promote its food applications as an economical and available functional ingredient. The research was carried out on ground date press cake obtained from Shahani dates with two particle sizes of 355 µm (coarse) and 167 µm (fine). On average, Shahani date press cake contained 13.37% moisture, 4.92% fat, 6.35% protein, 11.74% crude fiber and 79.06% carbohydrate. Fructose was the main simple sugar, magnesium was the major mineral, oleic acid was the predominant fatty acid, and phenolic compounds were the main antioxidant. The chemical composition and functional properties of the date press cake were affected by its particle size. The coarse sample had lower fibre, oleic acid, total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity than the fine sample. However, the fine sample had higher sugar and fat content and exhibited higher water holding capacity and solubility than the coarse sample.

Duck rearing is one of the important livelihoods of rural people. Duck plague is one of the diseases causing heavy mortality resulting in economic losses.

An outbreak of duck plague in a farm in Kadavakathi Village near Tenkasi, Tirunelveli Dt., is reported. Findings/treatment and outcome: Two thousands out of 4500 Chara-Chemballi breed of ducks which were recently purchased from Chenganacherry in Kerala died, with a mortality rate of 44.4%. Clinical signs of inappetence, partial closure of eyelid, conjunctivitis, corneal opacity, oculo-nasal discharge, soiled vent with green white watery diarrhoea, ataxia, incoordination and sudden death were observed. Necropsy examination revealed diphtheritic membrane in the oesophagus, congestion, petechial haemorrhages and multifocal gray white areas on the surface of the liver, epicardial haemorrhages, congested trachea, lung, kidneys, splenomegaly with mottled appearance and enteritis. Microscopical examination revealed presence of eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions in the epithelial cells of the intestine and hepatocytes, degeneration and necrosis of enterocytes, dilated crypt epithelial cells with presence of eosinophilic intranuclear and intracytoplasmic inclusions, congestion and lymphoid cell depletion in the spleen, vasculitis, congestion, and haemorrhages in the trachea and lungs, proventriculitis, and congested kidneys. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) also confirmed the duck plague viral infection by the amplification of polymerase gene fragment (446 bp).

Based on the above findings, the Chara-Chemballi duck disease outbreak was diagnosed as duck viral enteritis infection.

In the current study, the effect of phenotypic factors on Somatic Cell Count (SCC) was evaluated by using classification tree technique. The current study used a total of 1,972,031 test day records of SCC in parity 1 to 4 collected from 1,281 Iranian Holstein-Friesian cows’ herds through 2004–2013. The SCC records were converted to binary trait, defined as 1: If SCC≤ 200,000, and 2: Otherwise. The CART (Classification And Regression Tree) algorithm for classification trees, with GINI index and Entropy function as the division criteria, was used to develop the tree. Statistical analysis was performed using ‘rpart’ package in R software. The constructed tree had 12 leaves and it was 6 levels deep. The results of classification tree procedure for ranking of importance of the variables responsible for the variation in SCC were, respectively, parity, test-day milk production, year of calving, season of calving, and days in milk (stage of lactation). Based on the obtained classification tree, different combination of variables associated with SCC could be identified. According to the classification tree, the lowest amount of SCC was expected in the group of cows that were in the 1st or 2nd parity; their test-day milk production was > 30 kg; they were calved from year 2004 to 2013; and their calving season was autumn or winter.

Researchers are challenged with identification of possible feed additives with the ability to increase the efficiency of feed utilization.

The present work aimed at studying growth pattern and carcass traits in broiler fed on dietary enzymes (Enzymex) and probiotic (Yeamark) over a period of six weeks.

A completely randomized design, including 8 treatments, 3 replications and 15 birds in each experimental unit was applied.

The results showed that feed intake decreased significantly (P<0.05) which might be due to the birds fulfilling their nutrient requirements by taking less amount of feed with improved digestibility of energy sources and amino acids. The results of present study also demonstrate the beneficial effects on performance and dressed yield in the treated groups in broiler.

Enzymes and probiotic are, therefore, suggested to be used as feed additives in broiler rations for higher profitability.

In the last decades, an increasing interest has been granted to halophytes due to their high phenolic content, which have therapeutic potential in the treatment and/or management of human health. Therefore, it is important to measure the halophyte total polyphenol content correctly and to valorize their antioxidant capacity. Ethanol extracts from thirty halophytes were analyzed to evaluate the Total Phenol Content (TPC). We employed three testing methods to prove their antioxidant potentialities, including DPPH• (1-DiPhenyl-2-PicrylHydrazyl), ABTS•+ (2,20-Azino-Bis-3-ethylbenzoThiazoline-6-Sulfonic acid) and IRP (Iron Reducing Power) assays. Results showed that plants exhibited different TPC, which varied significantly from 411.5 mg GAE g-1 DW in Cynomorium coccineum to 6.02 mg GAE g-1 DW in Ammophila arenaria. Concerning antioxidant activities, data revealed that Cynomorium coccineum (IC50= 3.82 µg ml-1 versus ABTS•+) and Euphorbia paralias had the highest antiradical capacity (IC50= 0.12 µg ml-1 against DPPH•) and exhibited the best efficient concentration with an EC50 value= 9.57 µg mL-1 for the IRP. Considering correlation between phenols and antioxidant tests, three groups were distinguished with a higher correlation coefficient between 0.78 and 0.98 for the first group. These data suggest the promising potentialities of the Mediterranean medicinal halophytes as valuable source of powerful antioxidants of industries, especially for Cynomorium coccineum, Carpobrotus edulis, Reaumuria vermiculata, Tamarix gallica, and Euphorbia paralias regarding their strong phenol content.

The post-harvest damage caused by several pests is a major problem in stored grain product industry. Recently, synthesizing NanoParticles (NPs) with plant extracts act as an alternative approach in reduction of this damage. An attempt was made to synthesize and test the mortality effect of green synthesized silver NanoParticles (AgNPs) with peels extract of sweet orange, Citrus sinensis (L.) (Rutaceae, Sapindales), against the adult tenebrionid beetle Tribolium confusum (Duval). The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized with UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy. Five bioassays were conducted by filter-paper residue and feeding methods with different concentrations of both green synthesizing and commercial AgNPs. Results showed that citrus extract by itself was not toxic against beetles, however, the green AgNPs showed 83-77% mortality in filter-paper residue and feeding methods. The impact of commercial AgNPs in both methods led to 75 and 40% mortality. The lowest LC50 and LT50 for green synthesized AgNPs were recorded (30.62 ppm and 9.92 day) for filter-paper residue tests. According to the results, the green silver nanoparticles, showed more efficiency than the commercial ones. This provides an evidence that green synthesized AgNPs have a great potential as an alternative option in stored products pest management.

In this study, the first symptom appearance of wheat leaf rust disease was monitored in Khuzestan Province every ten days from early December 2014, for three years. Also, the climate changes and their influence on the development of the disease were studied. During 2014-2015, the first symptoms, with the severity of 5 MS (Moderately Susceptible), appeared in the south and west parts in early and mid-March, respectively. In northern areas, the symptoms appeared with 10 MS severity in early May. In 2015-2016, the first symptoms appeared with the severity of 5 MS in February in the southern areas. In the west, symptoms appeared and reached 20 S (susceptible) on March 10. In the north, the disease started in late February with the severity of 10 MS and developed to 30 S. In 2016-2017, the first symptoms appeared around the Karun River with the severity of 5 MS on March 10 and eventually reached 10 MS in late March. In the western areas, the disease started in early March with the severity of 5 MS and then stopped. Symptoms appeared one week later in the north, with the severity of 5 MS, and reached 15 MS until the end of March. Based on the previous studies, the first symptoms of wheat leaf rust usually start from the west. However, now, the regional pattern of the symptom has changed dramatically, and it appears in the south near Karun River and the Sugar Cane Crop Industry. This might be due to implementation of preventive measures and dryness of a big part of Hoveyzeh Marshland.

Present study aimed to assess the efficacy of Paclobutrazol (PBZ) in mango in terms of vegetative growth, leaf nutrient status, flowering, yield, and fruit quality. Moreover, residual dynamics of PBZ in soil and plant parts was also assessed. Studies were conducted under tropical hot and humid climatic conditions of eastern India during 2013-2017 on 15-year-old trees of mango var. Arka Neelachal Kesari. Paclobutrazol was applied at 0.25–1.0 gram active ingradient (g ai m-1) canopy spread in soil during September. Results indicated that PBZ significantly reduced Trunk Cross Sectional Area (TCSA), shoot length, and leaf area. There was a reduction in leaf N and K contents, whereas the levels of Ca, Mg, Cu and Zn were increased in PBZ-treated plants. PBZ advanced floral bud break and increased flowering intensity, percentage of bisexual flowers, fruit yield, and yield efficiency. Higher concentration of PBZ aggravated shoot and panicle compaction. PBZ tended to increase Total Soluble Solids (TSSs) but pulp content and pulp/stone ratio were unaffected. PBZ residues in soil persisted for 9 months at higher rate of application, whereas at lower rate residues reached non-detectable level within 5-6 months after application. Fruits were free from PBZ residue, irrespective of dose. Application of PBZ at lower dose (0.25 g ai m-1 canopy spread) was not only efficacious in enhancing flower induction and yield without affecting plant growth but also exhibited high rate of depletion in soil.

Low temperature is one of the most widespread stress factors limiting productivity of cereals. Tolerance to low temperature was studied in 12 barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars with different growth habits (winter, spring, and facultative) subjected to low, non-freezing temperature (5°C) for cold acclimation, then exposed to freezing (‒5°C) treatment. Different phenotypic assays, including biomass production and survival rate (%) were conducted to determine the range of genotypic variation for tolerance to low temperature. Although the most tolerant cultivar was a winter/facultative one (‘Abidar’) and the most susceptible one was a spring cultivar (‘Nik’), little relationship existed between frost tolerance and growth habit when all 12 tested cultivars were compared. According to the data obtained, four cultivars with contrasting survival rate were selected and metabolic alterations were analyzed in these cultivars after cold acclimation and de-acclimation (25°C) treatments. Soluble carbohydrates and proline were accumulated in the leaves up to 20-70% (P< 0.05) and 37 fold (P< 0.001) during the acclimation period, respectively, and decreased upon de-acclimation by 9-42% (P< 0.05). In contrast to the total protein, proteins in the leaf apoplast, along with carbohydrates, accumulated up to 2-4 fold (P< 0.05) during the acclimation period. The frost tolerance of cultivars was correlated (r= 0.91, P< 0.05) with the concentrations of apoplastic carbohydrates but not with the total and apoplastic proteins or total carbohydrates. Our data revealed that barley cultivars were different in the metabolic adjustments upon acclimation treatment; some of these metabolic responses were directly associated with frost tolerance of cultivars.

Rural production cooperatives, as an effective tool for rural development, have an important role in increasing the capabilities of rural farmers. In order to achieve the goals, in addition to human, social, and economic support, cultural development is also needed. In this regard, this study aimed at investigating the impact of cultural capital on the empowerment of rural production cooperative members. The study was conducted in Amol, Iran. A total of 6,150 members of 11 rural production cooperatives were selected as the statistical population of the study, and 300 of whom were selected as the study sample based on Cochran's formula. Data collection was done using a researcher-made questionnaire composed of two parts of cultural capital (embodied, objectified and institutionalized) and empowerment (psychological, social, and economic). The content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts' opinions. Also, based on the Average Variance Extracted (0.514> AVE< 0.663) and Composite Reliability (0.808> CR< 0.966), the questionnaire had a convergent validity and appropriate reliability. SPSS16 and Smart PLS2 software were used to analyze the data. Results of the research showed that cultural capital had a significant impact on the psychological, social, and economic empowerment level of the members of the rural production cooperatives. According to the results, it is recommended that, by careful planning, sufficient benefits be gained from the potential of cultural capital in the future development policies of rural production cooperatives, so that an effective, though small, step can be taken toward development of the aforementioned cooperatives.

In this study, 1973-2003 data of 12,328 animals from Abbasabad Baluchi Sheep Breeding Station, Iran, were used to estimate genetic and phenotypic correlations between Total Weight of lambs Weaned per Ewe Joined in the first, 2nd, 3rd and 4th lambing (TWW1/EJ, TWW2/EJ, TWW3/EJ, and TWW4/EJ, respectively), and TWW of the total four lambing (TWWt/EJ). Also, the study aimed to estimate correlations of TWW1/EJ...TWW4/EJ and Birth Weight (BW) as well as Weaning Weight (WW). The (co)variance components and genetic correlations were estimated by DFREML procedures. Genetic correlation between TWW1/EJ and TWWt/EJ was high and positive (0.76). Genetic correlations of TWW/EJ in different lambing with BW and WW ranged from 0.16 to 0.32 and 0.95 to 0.97, respectively. Repeatability of TWW/EJ for lambing 1-4 was 0.15. Results suggested that selection for increased lifetime reproductive performance could be based on TWW1/EJ in the first lambing. Overall, results indicate that TWW/EJ, as an important but sex-limited trait, may be used in selection criterion to indirectly improve the related traits.

Low Molecular Weight Glutenin Subunits (LMW-GS), encoded by GLU-3 loci located on the short arm of homologous chromosomes of wheat, play an important role in the bread making quality. Some of the most important gens for quality are located on the D genome, which are interesting in wheat breeding programs. In addition to the bread wheat (Triticum​​​​​​​ aestivum), some species of Aegilops including Ae. cylindrica, Ae. tauschii, Ae. crassa, Ae. juvenalis, and Ae. vavilovi carry D genome. In this study, the phylogenetic relationship among Aegilops species with D genome and bread wheat has been studied based on the sequence of low molecular weight glutenins loci. The results indicated a great diversity for these loci. Presence of several numbers of common protein bands among species suggested a close relationship and high genetic flow among species. Three primers for the LMW-GS proteins were able to reveal the relationship between the species. The results showed a close relationship among bread wheat (T. astivum) and Ae. tauschii species. Ae. crassa species is more distant from bread wheat. Also, the results indicated a close relationship between the Ae. cylindrica, Ae. juvenalis, and Ae. vavilovi. A great diversity of LMW-GS in wild relatives and close relationship between these species and wheat suggest them as a potential source of genes for wheat breeding programs.

Use of fertilizers is important in agricultural production. In particular, it is more focused on organic fertilizer that increases yield and quality of crops and is not harmful to environment at the same time. In this study, the effect of bacterial biofertilizers on yield and some quality parameters were analyzed in two tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Cevahir F1 and Pala F1) in greenhouse conditions. Three different concentrations (1, 3, and 5 gL-1</sup> and control i.e. un-inoculated) and two different bacterial fertilizers including A: Azotobacter spp. (1×109 </sup>CFU), and B: mixture of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus megatarium (1×109 </sup>UFC) were evaluated in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The treatments were applied one week after planting of the seedlings. The solutions were given to the root zone of the plant and repeated 3 times at intervals of 10 days. Average fruit weight, fruit number per plant, fruit weight per plant, plant height, fruit width and length, total soluble solid, pH, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll content, dry matter yield and mineral content were evaluated on tomato. The effects of treatments were found significant on plant growth parameters. Bacterial fertilization increased yield and other parameters in all treatments. Besides, the effects of treatments were significant on mineral content of tomato fruits.

Mowing is important in maintaining quality of the turf. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Nitric Oxide (NO) on tall fescue after mowing, and provide theoretical basis for molecular breeding of turf grass. In our study, exogenous NO significantly increased the relative growth rate compared to the control. The higher relative growth rate was associated with higher activity of Peroxides (POD), SuperOxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX). Expression of CuZn-SOD</em>, CAT-A</em>, and APX4</em> increased in roots treated with NO after mowing. In addition, exogenous NO significantly increased the concentration of Indole-3-Acetic Acid (IAA), Gibberellic Acid (GA), Cytokinin (CK) and Abscisic Acid (ABA) compared to the control, which likely linked to an increase in Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS)-like activity and endogenous NO release in tall fescue roots. These results suggested that mowing increased NOS-like activity, leading to elevated endogenous NO levels. NO might act as a signaling molecule, increasing plant hormone content, as well as up-regulating gene expression and enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, thereby protecting against injuries caused by mowing and promoting re-growth of tall fescue.

Digital inclusion is a way to empower people through Information Communication Technologies (ICTs), but the existing digital divide due to differential access to ICT tools, low digital literacy and lack of sustainable usage is the greatest hindrance to digital inclusion. Considering these facts, this study aimed at finding a suitable location specific strategy to bridge the digital divide. The study was conducted in Nasik and Varanasi districts of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, respectively. Thirty stakeholders were selected from both districts from Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) or Farm Science Centers and line departments having frequent interaction with clientele and basic knowledge about ICT tools and services useful in agricultural information delivery. Strategic statements were prepared using previous literature, experience from different programs in India and abroad, and expert suggestions. These were graded into hierarchies and stages and were compared pairwise. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used as a decision making tool to select best alternatives to bridge the digital divide.

In this study, the antagonistic activity of 1,000 bacterial isolates from different areas of Iran and two isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens: CHA0 and UTPf5 were individually assayed against two isolates of Fusarium solani and two isolates of F. oxysporum that cause potato dry rot in Mashhad, Iran. Using in vitro dual culture plate technique, most of the tested isolates significantly reduced mycelia growth of Fusarium spp. on PDA after 7 days of incubation at 25oC, compared to the untreated control. Thirty bacteria isolates with the most inhibition and P. fluorescens CHA0 were selected for experiments on potato tubers. All isolates were tested on tuber of potato cultivar Agria under in vivo conditions. There was no significant difference between rot diameter by P. fluorescens CHA0 and the infected control, but other isolates reduced dry rot development after 21 days of incubation at 25-27oC, as compared to the untreated control. However, three isolates, namely, VUPf40, VUPf44, and VUPf506 that belong to the P. fluorescens species were the most effective. Talc-based formulation of these three effective bacteria and P. fluorescens CHA0 were assessed for their in situ efficacy against potato dry rot development, caused by F. solani FPO67, on treated tubers compared to the control. The formulation of these bacteria significantly decreased dry rot development, but only P. fluorescens VUPf506, with 79.8% reduction of fungi development, and 18.57% prevalence, was the most effective in reduction of potato dry rot in natural conditions. Based on these results, P. fluorescens VUPf506 can be considered as a promising alternative to chemical fungicides.