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APPLICATION OF PSEUDOMONAS SPP. FOR BIOCONTROL OF PLANT DISEASES IN HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS

Objective

The ultimate goal of the project is to develop a broad-spectrum biocontrol product for use against multiple recurrent diseases in hydroponic vegetable production systems. Common diseases of hydroponic systems include Crazy Root disease (Agrobacterium rhizogenes), fungal root rots (caused by Pythium, Fusarium, and Phytophthora spp.), and diseases of the leaves (Powdery Mildew; Oidium lycopersicum) and fruits (Gray Mold; Botrytis cinerea). Most methods for disease control involve routine use of chemical pesticides and sterilization agents; however, the hydroponic vegetable production industry is beginning to shift its focus toward the use of biocontrol agents that limit the spread of diseases, are safer for workers and consumers, and are easily produced and applied. Currently, there are few effective biocontrol-based products available to control diseases on hydroponically produced vegetables. To meet this overall goal, application of Pseudomonas spp. will be used for control of plant diseases in hydroponic systems. Pseudomonads (Pseudomonas spp.) have been widely studied for their biocontrol activity against numerous plant pathogens (including, most notably Pythium spp. and Phythopthora spp.), are excellent root colonizers, and can sometimes exhibit plant growth promoting activity. Despite the significant body of research on the benefits of Pseudomonas spp. over the past 30 years, very little successful commercialization has occurred due to the lack of effective formulation and delivery technologies for these and other gram-negative, non-spore forming microbes. To address this issue with commercialization of pseudomonads and other non-spore forming beneficial bacteria, 3Bar Biologics developed and patented (US 10,774,298) a novel beneficial microbe delivery system for improving microbial product viability in the supply chain.Using target Pseudomonas spp. strains and 3Bar's beneficial microbe delivery system, the specific goals of the Phase I project include:1) Maximize cellular yields of the solid and liquid phases of the delivery system. Technical objectives to meet this goal include: i) development of freeze-dried formulations of each target strain stable at room temperature for at least 6 months, ii) improved delivery system design including gas permeability, liquid volumes, and amount and type of growth media for increasing bacterial cellular yields, and iii) evaluation of growing bacteria consortium in the delivery system. Efforts will result in a second-generation delivery system for hydroponic use with improved growth performance for target strains or combined consortia.2) Characterize the stability and compatibility of new formulations for feasible use in hydroponic systems. Working directly with industry partners to understand hydroponic system operation and common chemical products used (e.g., nutrient solutions), the technical objective is to develop a chemical compatibility chart for nutrient solutions and other products that are compatible with the bacteria strains and fits grower practice.3) Evaluate efficacy in tomato hydroponics trials on Crazy Root disease. The technical objectives to meet this goal involvetesting in OSU's pilot-scale hydroponics system i) individual strains under direct disease pressure, ii) combinations of strains (consortia) for synergistic effects to determine efficacy, and iii) individual strains for yield improvement (no pathogen pressure). All efficacy trialswill be conducted using the candidate formulations and delivery system. Resulting efficacy data will support the feasibility to select Pseudomonas strains for further development of a biopesticide to control Crazy Root disease, with the intent in Phase II to expand development for control of fungal root rot diseases.

Investigators
3bar Biologics Inc.
Institution
3bar Biologics Inc.
Start date
2021
End date
2022
Project number
OHOW-2021-01152
Accession number
1025836
Categories
Commodities