• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2014

The possibility of using hyphomycete fungi as suitable biocontrol agents against greenhouse whitefly has led to the isolation of various insect pathogenic fungi. Among them is Beauveria bassiana, one of the most studied entomopathogenic fungi. The objective of this study was to use B. bassiana M130 as an insecticidal agent against the greenhouse whitefly. M130 isolated from infected insects is known to be a biocontrol agent against greenhouse whitefly. Phylogenetic classification of M130 was determined according to its morphological features and 18S rRNA sequence analysis. M130 was identified as B. bassiana M130 and showed chitinase (342.28 units/ml) and protease (461.70 units/ml) activities, which were involved in the invasion of the host through the outer cuticle layer, thus killing them. The insecticidal activity was 55.2% in petri-dish test, 84.6% in pot test, and 45.3% in field test. The results of this study indicate that B. bassiana has potential as a biological agent for the control of greenhouse whitefly to replace chemical pesticides.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.157-159
• /
• 2019

Pseudomonas fluorescens NBC275 (Pf275) isolated from soil sample collected at riverside of Nakdonggang showed antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens of plants and insects. Here we present complete genome sequence of Pf275. The genome comprises of 6,610,362 bp with GC content of 60.9%, which includes 5,869 predicted protein-coding genes, 16 rRNAs, and 65 tRNAs. Genome analysis revealed gene clusters encoding antimicrobial secondary metabolites such as pyoverdine, 2, 4-diacetylphloroglucinol, and phenazine, which are known to play essential roles in biocontrol of diseases.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.55 no.3
• /
• pp.286-288
• /
• 2019

Pseudomonas parafulva PpaJBCS1880 (PpaJBCS1880) isolated from rice seeds showed strong antagonistic activity against bacterial plant pathogens by producing lipopeptide. Furthermore, the strain controlled the incidence of bacterial pustule in soybean plants and promoted the growth of rice plants. Here we present complete genome sequence of PpaJBCS1880. The genome comprises of 5,208,480 bp with GC content of 63.4%, which includes 4,487 predicted protein-coding genes, 19 rRNAs, and 74 tRNAs. Genome analysis revealed genes encoding antimicrobial secondary metabolites such as lipopeptide, pyoverdine, phenazine, and hydrogen cyanide, which are known to play essential roles in biocontrol of plant diseases.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.234-242
• /
• 2019

Thirty-four strains of bacteria were isolated from Phellodendron amurense. Using Nectria haematococca as an indicator strain, the best strain, B18, was obtained by the growth rate method. The morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics of strain B18 and its 16S DNA gene sequence were identified, and the biocontrol effect of strain B18 was assessed in pot and field tests, as well as in a field-control test. Drilling methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of metabolites from strain B18 and their effects on the growth of pathogen mycelia and spores. The best bacteriostatic rate was 85.4%. B18 can hydrolyse starch and oxidize glucose but does not produce gas; a positive result was obtained in a gelatine liquefaction test. According to 16S DNA gene sequencing, strain B18 is Bacillus methylotrophicus (GenBank accession number: MG457759). The results of pot and field-control trials showed 98% disease control when inoculating $10^8cfu/ml$ of the strain. The disease control effect of the B18 culture liquid (concentrations of $10^8$, $2{\times}10^6$, $10^6$, $5{\times}10^5$ and $2.5{\times}10^5cfu/ml$) in the field-control test was higher than 80%, and the cure rate of the original delivery solution was 96%. Therefore, in the practical forestry production, a $2.5{\times}10^5cfu/ml$ culture liquidshould be applied in advance to achieve good control effects.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.57-71
• /
• 2021

Rice sheath blight (ShB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kühn AG1-IA, is one of the destructive rice diseases worldwide. The aims of this study were to develop biocontrol strategies focusing on field sanitation and foliar application with a biocontrol agent for ShB management. Streptomyces padanus PMS-702 showed a great antagonistic activity against R. solani. Fungichromin produced by S. padanus PMS-702, at 3.07 mg/l inhibited 50% mycelial growth, caused leakage of cytoplasm, and inhibited the formation of infection structures of R. solani. Fungichromin could reach to 802 mg/l when S. padanus PMS-702 was cultured in MACC broth for 6 days. Addition of 0.5% S. padanus PMS-702 broth into soil decreased the survival rate of the pathogen compared to the control. Soil amended with 0.5% S. padanus broth and 0.5% tea seed pomace resulted in the death of R. solani mycelia in the infested rice straws, and the germination of sclerotia was inhibited 21 days after treatment. Greenhouse trials revealed that S. padanus cultured in soybean meal-glucose (SMGC-2) medium after mixing with different surfactants could enhance its efficacy for inhibiting the pathogen. Of six surfactants tested, the addition of 2% tea saponin was the most effective in suppressing the pathogen. S. padanus broth after being fermented in SMGC-2, mixed with 2% tea saponin, diluted 100 fold, and sprayed onto rice plants significantly reduced ShB disease severity. Thus, S. padanus PMS-702 is an effective biocontrol agent. The efficacy of S. padanus PMS-702 for disease control could be improved through formulation.

• Research in Plant Disease
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.195-203
• /
• 2022

Zea mays, known as maize or corn, is a major staple crop and an important source of energy for humans and animals, thus ensuring global food security. Approximately 9.4% of the loss of total annual corn production is caused by pathogens including fungi, bacteria, and viruses, resulting in economic losses. Although the use of fungicides is one of the most common strategies to control corn diseases, the frequent use of fungicides causes various health problems in humans and animals. In order to overcome this problem, an eco-friendly control strategy has recently emerged as an alternative way. One such eco-friendly control strategy is the use of beneficial microorganisms in the control of plant pathogens. The beneficial microorganisms can control the plant pathogens in various ways, such as spatial competition with plant pathogens, inhibition of fungal or bacterial growth via the production of secondary metabolites or antibiotics, and direct attack to plant pathogens via enzyme activity. Here, we reviewed microorganisms as biocontrol agents against corn diseases.

• 한국약용작물학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.384-385
• /
• 2008

• Journal of Radiation Industry
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2010

Two chitinase producing strains CHI2 and CHI4 were isolated from soybean rhizosphere soil. Both the strains belonged to Lysobacter enzymogenes as indicated by 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Though strain CHI2 and CHI4 produced extracellular chitinase, they differ in their chitinolytic activity. CHI4 produced approximately three times the higher amounts of enzyme than that of CHI2 under specified conditions. CHI2 produced $535.67U\;l^{-1}$ of chitinase after 48 h incubation with a specific activity of $3.91U\;mg^{-1}$ of protein while strain CHI4 produced $1584.13U\;l^{-1}$ of chitinase with a specific activity of $10.88U\;mg^{-1}$ protein. SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that the molecular weight of chitinase enzyme was approximately 45 kDa. A faint band with a molecular weight of 55 kDa reveals the possibility for the presence of another kind of chitin binding protein. Mutant library was developed by exposing the isolates to gamma rays at their $LD_{99}$ value (0.23 kGy). Totally, 11 mutants of CHI2 and CHI4 are reported to have enhanced chitinase activity. Several leaky mutant clones with decreased enzyme activity and a defective mutant (CHI2-M16) with complete loss of chitinase activity were also identified. CHI4-M18, CHI4-M8 and CHI4-M29 showed 78.8, 41.5, and 31.9% increased chitinase activity over wild type CHI4.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.1217-1220
• /
• 2007

The saprophytic fungus Ulocladium atrum Preuss is a promising biological control agent for Botrytis cinerea in greenhouse- and field-grown crops. However, despite its known potent antifungal activity, no antifungal substance has yet been reported. In an effort to characterize the antifungal substance from U. atrum, we isolated an antibiotic peptide. Based on extensive spectroscopic analyses, its structure was established as a cyclopeptolide with a high portion of N-methylated amino acids, and its $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ chemical shifts were completely assigned based on extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Compound 1 exhibited potent antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungus Botrytis cinerea and moderate activity against Alternaria alternate and Magnaporthe grisea.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.134-140
• /
• 1994

An antagonistic bacterium Pseudomonas stutzeri YPL-1 liberated extracellular chitinase and $\beta$-1,3-glucanase which are key enzymes in the decomposition of fungal hyphal walls. The lytic enzymes caused abnormal swelling and retreating at the hyphal tips of plant pathogenic fungus Fusarium solani in a dual culture. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the hyphal degradation of F. solani in the regions interacting with P. stutzeri YPL-1. The production of chitinase and properties of a crude preparation of the enzyme from P. stutzeri YPL-1 were investigated. Peak of the chitinase activity was detected after 4 hr of cultivation. The enzyme had optimum temperature and pH of 50$^{\circ}C$ and pH 5.3, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the pH range of 3.5 to 6.0 up to 50$^{\circ}C$. The enzyme was significantly inhibited by metal compounds such as $HgCl_2$, but was stimulated by $CoCl_2$. P. stutzeri YPL-1 produced high levels of the enzyme after 84 hr of incubation. Among the tested carbon sources, chitin was the most effective for the enzyme production, at the concentration level of 3%. As a source of nitrogen, peptone was the best for the enzyme production, at the concentration level of 4%. The maximum amount of enzyme was produced by cultivating the bacterium at a medium of initial pH 6.8.