Special growing substrate ("smart growing substrate") with increased resistance to diseases and pests. It is a value-added substrate (2 in 1 or 3 in 1), which is pre-colonized with the CCM 8367 strain of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea, either alone or in combination with other bioagents based on the genus Pythium or Trichoderma, or with organic or mineral fertilizers. The substrate thus offers protection against important plant pests that spend part of their development cycle in the soil (e.g. fungus gnats (Sciaridae), weevils). The use of products based on entomopathogenic fungi, due to their very complex mode of action on pests, prevents the development of resistance and leaves no residues. Strain CCM8367 is highly virulent against both butterflies and beetles and can be expected to be highly effective against a complex of canola pests. The fungus Isaria fumosorosea has fungicidal effects in addition to its insecticidal effects.
