Simon Cole
Member
A rather interesting article has appeared in the journal Rhizosphere this month: <Antagonistic activity of autochthonous strains of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Bacillus velezensis against fungi and oomycetes associated to damping off>.
Concerning <plant immunity>, I am now convinced that the above aforementioned cultivars are genuinely affected by damping-off. I had a propagator full of in-vitro Bucephalandra which after growing successfully for a year with the help of the BCA Trichoderma viridae, gradually melted from the stems. To me, it looked like the Trichoderma were able to protect the roots but not the rest of the plants. This seems to be a fairly clear indication that mass cultivation techniques rely upon chemical fungicides and not the immunity-inducing effects associated with a balanced composition of BCAs. Since the plants are never exposed to microorganisms or biotic stress, their defensive gene expression is turned-off and this appears to be a long-term impact. Propagating in-vitro plants from other in-vitro plant tissue is obviously a shortcut that means "wild" samples do not need to be washed and sterilised, whereas the problems might go-away if they did.
There is the immense potential for "snake oil" that actually works! For instance, I was reading that Triacontonol is effective as low as 2 parts per billion - it has an interesting synergistic effect on plant immunity by stimulating photosynthesis and root growth, increasing stomatal function and photosynthesis... and it is also one of those compounds that would make plants aquarium bushy as opposed to leggy and visually unaesthetic. In certain plants <effects commence within the first 5 minutes of application>. Combine this in a formulated approach with <Comammox Nitrospira>, <Copepod eggs> (as grazers), and a selection of BCAs known to defend against plant disease (and to stimulate immunological response), then there you have it.
I have some new BCAs from Enzim Biotech Agro, including a Bacillus strain. If I'm mad enough to order again in-vitro plants that are doomed, then I shall keep you all updated. Will also keep an eye out for new publications because things are happening fast now.
- The takeaway point is that various Bacillus strains are showing promising results for controlling Oomycete plant diseases and damping-off.
- Two compounds have been identified as primarily responsible - "Iturin A" and "fengycins".
Concerning <plant immunity>, I am now convinced that the above aforementioned cultivars are genuinely affected by damping-off. I had a propagator full of in-vitro Bucephalandra which after growing successfully for a year with the help of the BCA Trichoderma viridae, gradually melted from the stems. To me, it looked like the Trichoderma were able to protect the roots but not the rest of the plants. This seems to be a fairly clear indication that mass cultivation techniques rely upon chemical fungicides and not the immunity-inducing effects associated with a balanced composition of BCAs. Since the plants are never exposed to microorganisms or biotic stress, their defensive gene expression is turned-off and this appears to be a long-term impact. Propagating in-vitro plants from other in-vitro plant tissue is obviously a shortcut that means "wild" samples do not need to be washed and sterilised, whereas the problems might go-away if they did.
There is the immense potential for "snake oil" that actually works! For instance, I was reading that Triacontonol is effective as low as 2 parts per billion - it has an interesting synergistic effect on plant immunity by stimulating photosynthesis and root growth, increasing stomatal function and photosynthesis... and it is also one of those compounds that would make plants aquarium bushy as opposed to leggy and visually unaesthetic. In certain plants <effects commence within the first 5 minutes of application>. Combine this in a formulated approach with <Comammox Nitrospira>, <Copepod eggs> (as grazers), and a selection of BCAs known to defend against plant disease (and to stimulate immunological response), then there you have it.
I have some new BCAs from Enzim Biotech Agro, including a Bacillus strain. If I'm mad enough to order again in-vitro plants that are doomed, then I shall keep you all updated. Will also keep an eye out for new publications because things are happening fast now.
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