1,721,069 research outputs found
Microbial biocontrol agents: developing effective biopesticides
No full textThe negative impact of chemical pesticides on human wellbeing and the environment has encouraged the development of eco-friendly alternatives for the management of plant pathogens. However, only a small number of microbial biocontrol agents (mBCAs) have been developed, registered and used in the management of plant diseases. This book analyses the deployment of mBCAs for the development of novel microbial biopesticides, considering the main plant-beneficial traits, procedures needed for effective formulations and the processes used for their validation. To guide the readers through the world of microbial biopesticides, the book starts with a chapter dedicated to the regulations that need to be followed for the development of final products. Readers will understand the importance of formulation and mode of action of mBCAs in developing microbial biopesticides. They will become familiar with key mBCAs such as Ampelomyces quisqualis, Bacillus spp., Trichoderma spp., and Pseudomonas spp., understanding the importance of formulation for their application in the field. This book explains the use of mBCAs to control post-harvest diseases and the potential of endophytic microorganisms as next-generation microbial biopesticides. A final chapter provides a useful workflow for the selection of new mBCAs and describes microbial species including promising mBCAs that might be developed as new microbial biopesticide
The biocontrol agent Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens M71 originates natural mutants impaired in the ability to control Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici on tomato
No full textPseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens M71 differentiated three natural mutants distinguishable for morphological traits. P. chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens M71 mutants were impaired in persisting on tomato roots and controlling tomato crown rot. Mutants were characterised by a reduced ability in production of autoinducer signals and antibiotic
A step out of the lab: the importance of formulations in the development of biopesticides
No full textDeveloping microbial-based biopesticides represents a promising eco-friendly strategy for the sustainable management of plant pathogens. However, the use of microbial biocontrol agents (mBCAs) as biopesticides is often limited, mainly due to the vulnerability of the microorganisms to environmental factors and microbial competition, and the difficulty in developing a formulation that preserves efficacy and viability of mBCAs during storage and application. This chapter reports the current state of biocontrol strategies and describes the latest approaches to attain more effective formulations. Emphasis is placed on techniques and tools available for optimizing fermentation and formulation processes and enhancing the stability of mBCAs in the environment. Special attention is also given to the use of multi-strain formulations and their usefulness as plant protection products. Finally, innovative application approaches are described
Biological control of Plasmopara viticola: where are we now?
No full textGrapevine downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola, is one of the most critical diseases on grapevine worldwide, causing relevant economic losses. Nowadays, the management of grapevine downy mildew relies mainly on the application of copper and synthetic fungicides. However, due to the occurrence of P. viticola populations resistant to fungicides and the impact of chemicals on humans and the environment, the development of eco-friendly plant protection products is highly requested. Biocontrol agents are effective in controlling P. viticola on grapevine and represent an important alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides and copper in viticulture. Several bacterial and fungal biocontrol agents have been evaluated for their ability to directly control P. viticola or by stimulating defense mechanisms in grapevine plants. In the future, the progressive reduction of the chemical input in viticulture and the current lack of commercial microbial biopesticides active against P. viticola will make the management of grapevine downy mildew a compelling challenge in the field of biological control of plant disease
Lending quality and contracts enforcement reforms
No full textWe investigate the causal relationship between the efficiency of country's judicial system and the quality of bank lending, using the contracts enforcement reforms implemented in four European countries as a quasi‐natural experiment. We find that strengthening contracts enforcement determines large, significant and persistent reductions in banks' nonperforming loans. Our results have important policy implications: they
point at judicial efficiency as a critical determinant of the stability of the banking sector and its resilience to adverse shocks such as the recent Covid‐19 pandemic
Identification and characterization of Lysobacter capsici strain PG4: a new plant health promoting rhizobacterium.
No full textNew concepts in the identification and practical application of biocontrol agents against plant pathogens
No full textManagement of Plasmopara viticola: from the tradition to the innovation
No full textThis case explores grapevine downy mildew caused by Plasmopara viticola by examining its life cycle and impact on viticulture. It also briefly discusses the challenges and importance of breeding resistant grapevine varieties. Particular attention has been given to the use of chemical plant protection products and their limitations. Finally, this work illustrates the potential of the development of plant protection bioproducts as an alternative to chemical input for the management of grapevine downy milde
Isolation and identification of bacterial strains from apple flowers in Trentino and their evaluation as biocontrol agents of Erwinia amylovora
Full text linkFire blight caused by Erwinia amylovora (Ea) represents a great threat to apple and pear production worldwide. For instance, the outbreak of fire blight occurred in Trentino caused a relevant reduction of crop yield in 2020. Since Ea can spread rapidly in the environment, it is difficult to manage this devastating phytopathogenic bacterium. It is now widely accepted that apple flowers may harbor bacterial taxa that might hinder the ability of Ea to colonize apple flower. Based on this body of knowledge, we aimed at investigating the microbiota of apple flowers to select new potential biocontrol agents active against Ea. Flowers of Malus domestica cv. Golden Delicious from Trentino apple orchards were sampled at the ‘Baloon stage’ and surface sterilised to isolate only bacteria residing within the flowers. Bacterial isolates were initially selected on R2A dishes according to their colony morphology and subsequently identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The phylogenetic analysis showed the bacterial isolates mainly belonged to the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Microbacteriaceae families. One member of each bacterial family was selected and tested against Ea both on newly open apple flowers and on pear slices. Preliminary results showed some of these strains might have a significant effect on the control of Ea. In particular, Pantoea agglomerans and Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens strains showed the highest efficacy. In the future, we will carry out further experiments to investigate and understand the modes of action of these bacterial strains
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