Researcher(s)
- Lucas Fink, Plant Science, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Nicole Donofrio, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
Farmers are faced with a constant, continuously evolving, multifaceted threat. As the environment continues to allow plant pathogens to spread further, and the demand for food continues to rise, it is vital to boost food production and security, even more so if it is in an environmentally friendly way. Bacillus is a genus of bacteria that has been well documented as a naturally occurring biocontrol for a variety of pests and pathogens, as well as producing plant growth promoting compounds. In our research we examine the Delaware native Bacillus velezensis strain S4, which has influence on both tomato shoot growth and inhibition of plant pathogens. While S4 itself does not last long in storage, Its exudates are able to last for over a year in refrigeration. If S4’s exudates are found to inhibit pathogens and boost plant growth without the bacteria itself needing to be present, they could act as a naturally occurring, environmentally friendly, and shelf stable biocontrol agent that can be easily applied in the field. This was tested by creating PDA plates mixed with 1 mL of S4 exudates, and testing the growth of fungal pathogens on it compared to just PDA. This was also repeated for bacterial pathogens using LB plates. Both experiments resulted in notable inhibition of the pathogens. Exudates were also applied to tomatoes in the greenhouse to see if they influence growth. If the exudates show promise when applied in the field, it could have the potential to be a shelf stable amendment that could be readily used by farmers in Delaware.