1. Identify, using conventional microbiological and molecular genetic techniques (16S rRNA gene sequencing), strains and species of Myxobacteria isolated from Manitoba soils.
2. Determine whether the Myxobacterial isolates can kill or inhibit Leptosphaeria maculans using laboratory Petri plate based assays.
3. Challenge canola seedlings with L. maculans and determine whether these isolated Myxobacteria can protect them against the development of blackleg under more field-like conditions.
4. Determine whether the isolates can kill or inhibit Verticillium longisporum using laboratory Petri plate based assays as above.