Formulation of Bacillus spp. for Biological Control of Plant Diseases

Abstract

Maximizing the potential for successfully developing and deploying a biocontrol product begins with a carefully crafted microbial screening procedure, proceeds with developing mass production protocols that optimize product quantity and quality, and ends with devising a product formulation that preserves shelf-life, aids product delivery, and enhances bioactivity. Microbial selection procedures that require prospective bio-control agents to possess both efficacy and amenability to production in liquid culture increase the likelihood of selecting agents with enhanced commercial development potential. Scale-up of biomass production procedures must optimize product quantity without compromise of product efficacy or amenability to stabilization and formulation. Formulation of Bacillus spp. for use against plant pathogens is an enormous topic in general terms but limited in published specifics regarding formulations used in commercially available products. Types of formulations include dry products such as wettable powders, dusts, and granules, and liquid products including cell suspensions in water, oils, and emulsions. Cells can also be microencapsulated. Considerations critical to designing successful formulations of microbial biomass are many fold and include preserving biomass viability during stabilization, drying, and rehydration; aiding biomass delivery, target coverage, and target adhesion; and enhancing biomass survival and efficacy after delivery to the target. Solutions to these formulation considerations will not necessarily be compatible. Data from several biocontrol systems including the use of B. subtilis OH 131.1 (NRRL B-30212) to reduce Fusarium head blight of wheat are used to illustrate many of these issues. Using our recently described assay for efficiently evaluating biomass production and formulation protocols, we demonstrate the effectiveness, in vitro, of UV protectant compounds lignin (PC 1307) and Blankophor BBH in reducing OH 131.1 morbidity when cells were exposed to UV light from artificial sunlight.

Characterization of a novel chitinase from a moderately halophilic bacterium, Virgibacillus marismortui strain M3-23

“…Recently, a number of commercial biocontrol products have been developed from rhizobacteria, and many plant disease biocontrol products that contain Bacillus spp. are being used (Schisler et al 2004). Although moderately halophilic bacteria have great biotechnological potential, only a few studies have been carried out concerning the production of extracellular enzymes from these organisms (Ventosa et al 1998;Sanchez-Porro et al 2003).…”

Evaluation of microbial and enzymatic communities in soil and rizosphere from soybean plants

“…Rhizosphere Soil Microorganisms are important in organic matter degradation and soil nutrient dynamics, mediating plant development. Genus Bacillus can influence seeds germination and plant growth promotion (Schisler et al, 2004). According to Araújo and Hungria (1999), the B. subtilis isolate or its metabolites increase nodulation and yield in soybean.…”

Development of Bioformulation and Its Application against Management of Thrips and Root Rot Disease of Mulberry, Morus alba

“…Generally, amendments can be grouped as either carriers (fillers, extenders) or amendments that improve the chemical, physical, or nutritional properties of the formulated biomass (Schisler et al, 2004). The active material is mixed with carrier materials such as water, talc or others to make the formulation safer to handle, easier to apply and better suited for storage.…”