The main scope of this project was to identify a novel induction method to improve the effectiveness of biological fertilizers for organic farmers. To eliminate additional variables the plants were not treated with chemical or biological pesticides. The biological fertilizer used in this study was induced with co-factors and ethylene under specific conditions. Ethylene induced the soil to release acetonitrile, a component of indole-3-acetonitrile a precursor to the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). It is known that plant growth promoting bacteria can produce IAA and directly/ indirectly modify plant development and growth. In this preliminary study, the ethylene induced biological fertilizer (EIBF) improved germination rate, enhanced quality, reduced growth time, and improved crop yield of Pisum sativum L (green peas) with a single application. Many biological fertilizer require two to three applications a year to see improved growth.Green peas grown in ethylene induced soil improved pea quantity by 200% per plant compared to control samples. EIBF increased the crop yield by over 57%. The average biological fertilizer only improves crop by 20-30%. The peas harvested from the plants grown in EIBF were 4 times larger peas collected from plants grown in the control soil. The improvement and continued study of EBIF may have a global applications, impacting farming techniques in poor developing countries or organic farms.
The scope of the project was to develop a method to induce soil microbes to inhibit fungal infection and improve root elongation. The study was randomized. Gladiolus bulbs selected for the study were visibly inspected to for viability and visible signs of infection. Two trials were conducted from Aug. 5th – Sept. 5th 2014 with 4 replicates per condition over a 7-d period in damp outdoor conditions in late summer. A mixed culture of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) were collected from soil surrounding the roots of young fruit bearing trees. Microbes were mixed with minimal media (no-carbon source), and cultured with an ethylene and used as potting soil. Bulbs planted in ethylene induced soil displayed 0% visible fungal growth, while 38% of bulbs grown in control conditions displayed some form of fungal growth and/or infection. Ethylene induced soil increased root length by 225% in bulbs in 7-d period. GC Mass Spectrophotometry data suggest ethylene may induce soil microbes to synthesize several VOCs including (ethanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, pentanol) and esters (ethyl acetate), that may have synergistic benefits to lower the risk of fungal infection by soil mold, while nitrile compounds improve root elongation. The findings are preliminary, additional studies are required to understand the mechanism.
Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) can modify plant growth and increase nutrient uptake. This study focuses on additional applications for PGPB in pre-harvest and post-harvest biotechnology.In this study a Bacillus sp. were exposed to urea, cobalt, and iron cofactors and induced with ethylene gas. The induced bacteria enhanced early stage development in cucumber plants. The bacetria increased seed germination by 25% and increased the number of blossoms per plant increased by over 50%. The induced Bacillus sp. controlled late stage development inseveral plants species. The bacteria delayed the effects of climacteric ripening in bananas and peaches. The PGPB may biosynthesize a compound that is released into the surrounding environment that affects early stage development and late stage development in several species of plants.
The consumer demand for fresh fruits and vegetables increases every year, and farmers need a low cost novel method to reduce post-harvest loss and preserve the quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. This study identifies a method to induce soil bacteria to biosynthesize a nitrile compound that potentially enters the plants tissue and negatively affects climacteric ripening and delays the ripening process at 20-30˚C. This study used soil rich with soil microbes, to delay the ripening of climacteric fruit. The soil was treated with nitrogen, a heavy metal, and ethylene gas. Ethylene induced the soil to delay the ripening of organic bananas and peaches. A prototype transportation container maintained fruit fresh for up to 72 h at 20-30˚C. The fruit retained color, firmness, texture, no bruising and minimal spotting. The soil also prevented fungal infection in all samples. GC-MS analysis suggests ethylene induced the soil microbes to release an acetonitrile compound into the gaseous environment. The nitrile is released in low concentrations, but mature plants (fruits) contain very low levels of indole-3-acetonitrile (IAN) or indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The nitrile may obstruct or modify the mature plants (fruit) late stages development process, thus delay the climacteric ripening process and retarding the physiological and phenotypic effects of fruit ripening. We believe this study may have strong applications for post-harvest biotechnology.
ABTRACT:Post-harvest biotechnology is a growing industry. Many farmers are looking for economic and organic methods to preserve crops while effectively decreasing post-harvest
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