Researcher(s)
- Alyssa D'Aiuto, Plant Science, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Nicole Donofrio, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware
Abstract
All across the globe, fungal plant pathogens are working against the growth of crops and impeding the overall health of the plant. In fact, according to the USDA, “diseases caused by fungal pathogens can cause crop losses of 10-20% (worth $100-$200 billion) each year.” The objective of this research is to examine the effect of the Bacillus velezensis strain S4 bacteria on various fungal plant pathogens and physiological differences caused on tomato plants. We performed biocontrol assays to determine whether S4 inhibited various plant pathogenic fungi collected from around the UD Botanical Gardens. Further, we assessed whether S4 provided benefits to the plant.Tomato seed treatments of S4 were employed to set up germination assays both in soil and on filter papers. Root drenches were applied to untreated seedlings to evaluate root growth. Measurements and images were used to determine if there was any correlation between the bacteria and inhibition in the fungi or growth differences in the tomato plants. Our findings indicate that S4 provides various levels of inhibition depending on the fungus. In addition, a difference was observed in root length for the filter paper germination assays but no significant difference was observed in germination in the soil germination assays. These results suggest that S4 has properties for biocontrol of fungal plant pathogens as well as growth-promoting potential in tomato plants/roots. Based on this study, additional fungal and oomycete plant pathogens should be tested against S4. Future research should include exploring whether or not the live S4 bacteria cells need to be present for inhibition or root growth properties to occur.