• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.161-165
• /
• 2007

Cultivation of a biocontrol agent on a certain medium often results in reduced biocontrol efficacy and alters physiological state. In our previous study, Burkholderia gladioli strain B543 with long-term subculture on tryptic soy agar resulted in significantly reduced biocontrol ability against cucumber damping-off caused by P. ultimum. Therefore, we investigated the influence of laboratory culturing media on biocontrol activity and physiological state of Burkholderia gladioli strain B543 by using long-term repeated culture on a certain medium. When isolate B543 were successionally cultured on King's B agar (KBA), tryptic soy agar, nutrient agar (NA), or soil extract agar more than 20 times, the isolate cultured on KBA or NA showed a significantly enhanced biocontrol efficacy and higher population density in the rhizosphere of cucumber compared to that of the others. However, the isolates cultured on KBA more than 20 times showed the lowest production of protease, siderophore, or antifungal substance(s), measured by skim milk agar, Chrome-Azurol-S agar, and potato dextrose agar amended with 10% of the culture filtrate, respectively. Our results suggest that adaptation to proper culturing medium can alter biocontrol ability and physiological state, and we must consider laboratory media in optimizing the use of biocontrol agents.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.46 no.1
• /
• pp.33-46
• /
• 2018

Gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) is one of the most common diseases of strawberries (Fragaria${\times}$ananassa Duchesne) worldwide. Although many chemical fungicides are used for controlling the growth of B. cinerea, the risk of the fungus developing chemical resistance together with consumer demand for reducing the use of chemical fungicides have necessitated an alternative method to control this pathogen. Various naturally occurring microbes aggressively attack plant pathogens and benefit plants by suppressing diseases; these microbes are referred to as biocontrol agents. However, screening of potent biocontrol agents is essential for their further development and commercialization. In this study, 24 strains of yeast with antagonistic ability against gray mold were isolated, and the antifungal activity of the volatile and diffusible metabolites was evaluated. Putative mechanisms of action associated with the biocontrol capacity of yeast strains against B. cinerea were studied through in vitro and in vivo assays. The volatile organic compounds produced by the Galactomyces candidum JYC1146 could be useful in the biological control of plant pathogens and therefore are potential alternative fungicides with low environmental impact.

• Asian Journal of Turfgrass Science
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.191-201
• /
• 2006

Dollar spot caused by Sclerotinia homeocarpa is one of major diseases in putting greens. Microorganisms antagonistic to S. homeocarpa, a pathogen of dollar spot, were primarily screened through in vitro tests, including dual culture method and triple layer agar diffusion method. In vivo tests were also conducted to select the best candidate for a biocontrol microorganism, using pot experiment. Bacillus subtilis EW42-1 and Trichoderma harziaum GBF-0208 were finally selected as biocontrol agents against dollar spot. Relative Performance Index(RPI) was used as a criterion of selecting potential biocontrol agents. B. subtilis EW42-1 and T. harzianum GBF-0208 showed resistance to several agrochemicals mainly used in a golf course. B. subtilis EW42-1 and T. harzianum GBF-0208 suppressed effectively the disease progress of dollar spot like synthetic fungicide tebuconazole in the nursery where dollar spot had seriously occurred. B. subtilis EW42-1 and T. harzianum GBF-0208 have a potential to be biocontrol agents for the control of dollar spot.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
• /
• v.19 no.spc
• /
• pp.291-294
• /
• 2011

We studies a model for management of pepper anthracnose based covering method and spraying system in field. 1. Among 82 organic fungicides, 42 materials showed most effective inhibition against mycelia growth of the Colletotrichum acutatum in vitro. 23 formulated biocontrol agents were chosen to control the disease from 42 biocontrol agents in greenhouse. In the end, five kinds (2 plant extracts, 2 biopesiticides, 1 Bordeaux mixture) were selected from 23 materials in the field. 2. The mulching materials of bed covering in fruit season were thin non-woven fabric sheet and black plastic. The use of a fabric sheet was reduced the spread of anthracnose as compared to the plastic covering. 3. The application with the chosen materials was reduced 34% of anthracnose for 7 times sprays to planting 70 days as compared to the untreated control. In yield, nonwoven fabric sheet with formulated biopesticides was increased 17% than black plastic. 4. This result indicated that the developed biocontrol strategy could be an effective and economic crop protection system in organic pepper cultivation field.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2021

The current social demand for organic, sustainable, and eco-friendly approaches for farming, while ensuring the health and productivity of crops is increasing rapidly. Biocontrol agents are applied to crops to ensure biological control of plant pathogens. Research on the biological control of white root rot disease caused by a soil-borne pathogen, Rosellinia necatrix, is limited in pears compared to that in apple and avocado. This pathogenic fungus has an extensive host range, and symptoms of this disease include rotting of roots, yellowing and falling of leaves, wilting, and finally tree death. The severity of the disease caused by R. necatrix, makes it the most harmful fungal pathogen infecting the economical fruit tree species, such as pears, and is one of the main limiting factors in pear farming, with devastating effects on plant health and yield. In addition to agronomic and cultural practices, growers use chemical treatments to control the disease. However, rising public concern about environmental pollution and harmful effects of chemicals in humans and animals has facilitated the search for novel and environmentally friendly disease control methods. This review will briefly summarize the current status of biocontrol agents, ecofriendly methods, and possible approaches to control disease in pear orchards.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.45 no.3
• /
• pp.213-219
• /
• 2017

In our previous study, three bacterial strains, Bacillus megaterium KU143, Microbacterium testaceum KU313, and Pseudomonas protegens AS15, were selected as effective biocontrol agents against Aspergillus flavus on stored rice grains. In this study, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of the volatiles produced by the strains on A. flavus growth and aflatoxin production on stored rice grains. The three strains significantly reduced mycelial growth of A. flavus in dual-culture assays compared with the negative control strain, Sphingomonas aquatilis KU408, and an untreated control. Of these tested strains, volatiles produced by B. megaterium KU143 and P. protegens AS15 markedly inhibited mycelial growth, sporulation, and conidial germination of A. flavus on agar medium and suppressed the fungal populations in rice grains. Moreover, volatiles produced by these two strains significantly reduced aflatoxin production in the rice grains by A. flavus. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the suppression of A. flavus aflatoxin production in rice grains using B. megaterium and P. protegens volatiles.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.440-447
• /
• 2018

Dual biocontrol of both insects and plant pathogens has been reported for certain fungal entomopathogens, including Beauveria bassiana and Lecanicillum spp. In this study, we demonstrate, for the first time, the dual biocontrol potential of two fungal isolates identified by morphological and phylogenetic analyses as Isaria javanica. Both these isolates caused mortality in the greater wax moth, and hence can be considered entomopathogens. Spores of the isolates were also pathogenic to nymphs of the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), with an $LC_{50}$ value of $10^7spores/mL$ 4 days after inoculation and an $LT_{50}$ of 4.2 days with a dose of $10^8spores/mL$. In vitro antifungal assays also demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the growth of two fungi that are pathogenic to peppers, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Phytophthora capsici. These results indicate that I. javanica isolates could be used as novel biocontrol agents for the simultaneous control of aphids and fungal diseases, such as anthracnose and Phytophthora blight, in an integrated pest management framework for red pepper.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.160-170
• /
• 2024

Erwinia amylovora is a plant pathogen that causes fire blight on apples and pears. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that selectively infect specific species of bacteria and are harmless to animal cells, have been considered as biological control agents for the prevention of bacterial pathogens. In this study, we aimed to use bacteriophages that infect E. amylovora as biocontrol agents against fire blight. We isolated bacteriophages Fifi044 and Fifi318 infecting E. amylovora, and characterized their morphology, plaque form, and genetic diversity to use as cocktails for disease control. The stabilities of the two phages were investigated at various temperatures and pH values and under sunlight, and long-term storage experiment was conducted for a year. To evaluate whether the two phages were suitable for use in cocktail form, growth curves of E. amylovora were prepared after treating the bacterial cells with single phages and a phage cocktail. In addition, a disease control test was conducted using immature apples and in vitro cultured apple plantlets to determine the biocontrol effects of the phage cocktail. The two phages were morphologically and genetically different, and highly stable up to 50℃ and pH value from 4 to 10. The phages showed synergistic effect when used as a cocktail in the inhibition of host bacterial growth and the disease control. This study demonstrated that the potential of the phage cocktail as a biocontrol agent for commercial use.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.63-66
• /
• 2004

Ginseng (Panax ginseng) is one of the most widely cultivated medicinal herbs in Korea. However, yield losses reached up to 30-60％ due to various diseases during 3 or 5 years of ginseng cultivation in the country. Therefore, successful production of ginseng roots depends primarily on the control of diseases. The objective of this study was to select potential biocontrol agents from rhizobacteria isolated from various plant internal root tissues for the control of multiple ginseng diseases as an alternative to fungicides. Among 106 Bacillus strains, two promising biocontrol agents, Bacillus pumilus strain B1141 and Paenibacillus lentimobus strain B1146, were selected by screening against root rot of ginseng caused by Cylindrocarpon destructans in a greenhouse. Pre-inoculation of selected isolates to seed or l-year-old root of ginseng resulted in stimulation of shoot and/or root growth of seedlings, and successfully controlled root rot caused by C. destructans (P<0.05). Furthermore, drenching of cell suspension of the selected isolates on seedling-growing pots reduced the incidence of Phytophthora blight after the seedlings were challenged with zoospores of Phytophthora cactorum (P<0.05). P. lentimorbus strain B1146 showed antifungal activity against various soil-borne pathogens in vitro, while B. pumilus strain B1141 did not show any. Results of this study suggest that some rhizobacteria can induce resistance against various plant diseases on ginseng.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.7
• /
• pp.883-888
• /
• 2012

The efficacy of cowdung, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture (BINA)-biofertilizer, and Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU)-biofungicide, alone or in combination, was evaluated for controlling foot rot disease of lentil. The results exhibited that BINA-biofertilizer and BAU-biofungicide (peat soil-based Rhizobium leguminosarum and black gram bran-based Trichoderma harzianum) are compatible and have combined effects in controlling the pathogenic fungi Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsii, which cause the root rot of lentil. Cowdung mixing with soil (at 5 t/ha) during final land preparation and seed coating with BINA-biofertilizer and BAU-biofungicide (at 2.5% of seed weight) before sowing recorded 81.50% field emergence of lentil, which showed up to 19.85% higher field emergence over the control. Post-emergence deaths of plants due to foot rot disease were significantly reduced after combined seed treatment with BINA-biofertilizer and BAU-biofungicide. Among the treatments used, only BAU-biofungicide as the seed treating agent resulted in higher plant stand (84.82%). Use of BINA-biofertilizer and BAU-biofungicide as seed treating biocontrol agents and application of cowdung in the soil as an organic source of nutrient resulted in higher shoot and root lengths, and dry shoot and root weights of lentil. BINA-biofertilizer significantly increased the number of nodules per plant and nodules weight of lentil. Seeds treating with BAU-biofungicide and BINA-biofertilizer and soil amendment with cowdung increased the biomass production of lentil up to 75.56% over the control.