In the present study, the phytase enzyme was purified from Lactobacillus plantarum with a 3.08% recovery, 9.57-purification fold, and with a specific activity of 278.82 EU/mg protein. Then, the effects of the 5 EU and 10 EU purified phytase was determined on the plant growth, quality, the macro-micro nutrient content of pansy (Viola × wittrockiana), which is of great importance in ornamental plants industry. The research was established under greenhouse conditions with natural light in 2017. The pansy seeds were coated with phytase enzyme solution, sown in a peat environment, and transferred to pots at the seedling period. In general, the 5 EU and 10 EU applications increase plant height, the number of leaves per plant, the number of side branches per plant, and flower height parameters compared to control. Also, microand macronutrient values in soil and plant samples were examined. According to the results, the phytase application on pansy cultivation positively affected the properties and yielded high quality of plants.

In the study, phytase was purified in three simple steps comprising ammonium sulphate precipitation, anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography from Weissella halotolerans. The enzyme was obtained with a specific activity of 227.73 EU/mg and 6.52% recovery. The molecular mass of the enzyme was determined to be 41.52 kDa. The optimum pH and temperature for the enzyme were 6.0 and 50°C, respectively. Furthermore, the effects of metal ions on the enzyme were investigated. Ag + , Zn 2+ , Cr 2+ and Fe 2+ ions inhibited phytase by 21.86, 25.63, 32.82 and 90.43%, respectively, whereas Co 2+ , Cu 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ ve Mn 2+ ions increased the enzyme activity.

Mohammadi P., Tozlu E., Kotan R., Kotan Şenol M. (2017): Potential of some bacteria for biological control of postharvest citrus green mould caused by Penicillium digitatum. Plant Protect. Sci., 53: 134-143.Ten bacteria isolate (4 Bacillus subtilis, 2 Bacillus pumilus, 2 Bacillus cereus, 1 Bacillus megaterium, and 1 agrobacterium radiobacter) were tested in vitro for antagonistic properties against Penicillium digitatum, the causal agent of citrus green mould. The effect of these bacteria was also observed on mycelial growth, spore germination, and spore production of the pathogenic fungus in broth culture. Extracellular enzyme activities of the bacteria were determined. According to the results of in vitro antagonistic tests and enzymes activities, the most promising bacteria were Bacillus subtilis and agrobacterium radiobacter. These bacteria were tested for disease suppression on lemon fruits. In addition, these bacterial isolates also showed remarkable antifungal activity against the pathogen on lemon fruits. The results of this study showed that Bacillus subtilis and agrobacterium radiobacter showed remarkable antifungal activity against the pathogen. Chitinase and glucanase enzyme activity of all the tested bacteria was positive. Protease enzyme activity was positive in all tested bacteria with the exception of agrobacterium radiobacter. In addition, all bacteria inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination (except agrobacterium radiobacter) of the fungus. Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, and agrobacterium radiobacter inhibited spore production in broth culture. Bacillus subtilis and agrobacterium radiobacter were tested on lemon fruits significantly reduced disease severity. Consequently, these isolates can be used as new biocontrol agents in controlling the post-harvest decay of citrus fruits caused by Penicillium digitatum.

Tozlu E., Mohammadi P., Senol Kotan M., Nadaroglu H., Kotan R. (2016): Biological control of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, the causal agent of white mould disease in red cabbage, by some bacteria. Plant Protect. Sci.,.Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is the causal agent of white mould, stem, and fruit rot diseases on a wide variety of crop plants including cabbage (Brassica oleracea L.) in field and storage. Control of this pathogen by using commercial disease management methods is extremely difficult. Therefore, this study was performed to develop an alternative and effective control method for the diseases by using biocontrol bacteria -Bacillus subtilis (strains TV-6F, TV-17C, TV-12H, BA-140 and EK-7), Bacillus megaterium (strains TV-103B), and Bacillus pumilus (strains RK-103) on Petri plate assays and on red cabbage in pot assays. On Petri plates, all of the tested bacterial strains showed the zone of inhibition against the pathogen fungus ranging 15.00-26.50 mm. Their percentage inhibition rates and lesion length ranged 42.64-79.41% and 0.02-4.50 cm in pot assays, respectively. Consequently, our results indicated that especially B. subtilis strains TV-17C, TV-12H, and TV-6F can be used as bio control agent of S. sclerotiorum in red cabbage production.

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